Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

DATES:

Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by the OMB desk officer by April 18, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

When commenting on the proposed information collections, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be received by the OMB desk officer via one of the following transmissions: OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax Number: (202) 395-5806 OR, Email: OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov.

To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, you may make your request using one of following:

1. Access CMS' website address at website address at https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRA-Listing.html .

1. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov.

2. Call the Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786-1326.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William Parham at (410) 786-4669.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. The term “collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for public comment:

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Student Health Insurance Coverage; Use: Under the Student Health Insurance Coverage Final Rule published March 21, 2012 (77 FR 16453), student health insurance coverage is a type of individual health insurance coverage provided pursuant to a written agreement between an institution of higher education (as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965) and a health insurance issuer, and provided to students who are enrolled in that institution and their dependents. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Final Rule provided that, for policy years beginning on or after July 1, 2016, student health insurance coverage is exempt from the actuarial value (AV) requirements under section 1302(d) of the Affordable Care Act, but must provide coverage with an AV of at least 60 percent. This provision also requires issuers of student health insurance coverage to specify in any plan materials summarizing the terms of the coverage the AV of the coverage and the metal level (or the next lowest metal level) the coverage would otherwise satisfy under § 156.140. This disclosure will provide students with information that allows them to compare the student health coverage with other available coverage options. Form Number: CMS-10377 (OMB control number: 0938-1157); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: Private Sector; Number of Respondents: 52; Total Annual Responses: 1,176,235; Total Annual Hours: 52. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Russell Tipps at 301-492-4371).

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Minimum Essential Coverage; Use: The final rule titled “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Exchange Functions: Eligibility for Exemptions; Miscellaneous Minimum Essential Coverage Provisions,” published July 1, 2013 (78 FR 39494), designates certain types of health coverage as minimum essential coverage. Other types of coverage, not statutorily designated and not designated as minimum essential coverage in regulation, may be recognized by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) as minimum essential coverage if certain substantive and procedural requirements are met. To be recognized as minimum essential coverage, the coverage must offer substantially the same consumer protections as those enumerated in the Title I of Affordable Care Act relating to non-grandfathered, individual health insurance coverage to ensure consumers are receiving adequate coverage. The final rule requires sponsors of other coverage that seek to have such coverage recognized as minimum essential coverage to adhere to certain procedures. Sponsoring organizations must submit to HHS certain information about their coverage and an attestation that the plan substantially complies with the provisions of Title I of the Affordable Care Act applicable to non-grandfathered individual health insurance coverage. Sponsors must also provide notice to enrollees informing them that the plan has been recognized as minimum essential coverage for the purposes of the individual coverage requirement. Form Number: CMS-10465 (OMB control number 0938-1189); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Public and private sectors; Number of Respondents: 10; Total Annual Responses: 10; Total Annual Hours: 52.5. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Russell Tipps at 301-492-4371.)

3. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: State-based Exchange Annual Report Tool (SMART); Use: The annual report is the primary vehicle to insure comprehensive compliance with all reporting requirements contained in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It is specifically called for in Section 1313(a)(1) of the Act which requires an State Based Exchange (including an Exchange using the Federal Platform) to keep an accurate accounting of all activities, receipts, and expenditures, and to submit a report annually to the Secretary concerning such accounting. CMS will use the information collected from States to assist in determining if a State is maintaining a compliant operational Exchange. Form Number: CMS-10507 (OMB control number 0938-1244); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal governments; Number of Respondents: 17; Total Annual Responses: 17; Total Annual Hours: 3,415. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Christy Woods at 301-492-5140.)

4. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved information collection; Title of Information Collection: Agent/Broker Data Collection in Federally-Facilitated Health Insurance Exchanges; Use: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, enacted on March 23, 2010, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, Public Law 111-152, enacted on March 30, 2010 (collectively, “Affordable Care Act”), expands access to health insurance for individuals and employees of small businesses through the establishment of new Affordable Insurance Exchanges (Exchanges), also called Marketplaces, including the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). Revised requirements pertaining to agents/brokers completing Federally-facilitated Exchange (FFE) registration are discussed in the final rule published on February 27, 2015 for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 (CMS-9944-F). These updated requirements direct agents/brokers to submit additional fields related to basic contact information and National Producer Number (NPN). Current state licensure and relevant health lines of authority (LOA) are then validated using the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) database. Form Number: CMS-10464 (OMB control number 0938-1204); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: Private Sector (Business or other for-profits); Number of Respondents: 52,000; Total Annual Responses: 52,000; Total Annual Hours: 12,480. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Madeline Pellish at 301-492-4390.)