WASHINGTON, March 30 — The US Department of Health and Social Service Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services asked the Office of Management and Budget to approve an extension of information collection titled “Continued data collection to support QHP certification and other financial management and exchange operations”.

A March 29, 2022notice published in the Federal Register by William N. ParhamIII, Director, Red Tape Reduction Staff, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairsopens a 30-day public comment period.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 USC 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 “information gathering” is defined in 44 USC 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, maintain records, or provide information to a third. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 USC 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires federal agencies to post a 30-day notice in the Federal Register regarding each proposed Information Collection, including each proposed expansion or reinstatement of an existing Information Collection, before submitting the Collection to the OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, CMS is posting this notice summarizing the following proposed information collection(s) for public comment:

1. Type of information collection request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of information collection: Continuing data collection to support QHP certification and other financial management and exchange operations; Use: in accordance with the rule for establishing qualified exchanges and health plans; Exchange Standards for Employers (77 FR 18310) (Exchange Rule), each exchange is responsible for certifying and offering Qualified Health Plans (QHPs). To offer insurance through an exchange, a health insurance issuer must have their health plans certified as QHP by the exchange. A QHP must meet certain minimum necessary certification standards, such as network adequacy, inclusion of Essential Community Providers (ECPs), and non-discrimination. The Exchange is responsible for ensuring that QHPs meet these minimum certification standards as outlined in the Exchange’s Rule under 45 CFR 155 and 156, based on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (PPACA), as well as other standards determined by the Exchange. Issuers can offer individual and small group market plans outside of non-QHP exchanges. Form Number: CMS-10433 (OMB Control Number: 0938-1187); Frequency: Annually; Audience: Private sector, state, local or tribal governments, businesses or other for-profit organizations; Number of respondents: 2,925; Number of responses: 2,925; Total annual hours: 71,660. (For questions regarding this collection, contact Nikolas Berkobian at (301) 492-4400.)

2. Type of information collection request: review of a currently approved collection; Information Collection Title: Prepaid Health Plan Cost Report; Use: This cost report describes the provisions for the implementation of Section 1876 (h) and Section 1833 (a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act. Organizations contracting with the Secretary under Section 1876 and Section 1833 of the Social Security Act provide health services on a prepaid basis to registered members and are required to submit adequate costs and statistical data, based on financial records, in order to be reimbursed at a reasonable cost. basis by CMS. These organizations include Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Competitive Medical Plans (CMPs) under Section 1876, in addition to Health Care Prepaid Plans (HCPPs) under Section 1833. These entities may be collectively referred to as Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). Cost and statistical data are submitted to CMS in the Cost Report, Form CMS 276 (OMB No. 0938-0165). CMS is responsible for receiving and processing the CMS Form 276. The CMS Form 276, provided by CMS as Excel spreadsheets, covers the prescribed format for cost reports.

The cost report worksheets are designed to be flexible enough to accommodate the diversity of operations, while providing the necessary cost and statistical information to allow CMS to determine the appropriate amount of payment to the Plan. Cost-based MCOs must submit to HPMS an annual budget forecast, semi-annual interim report, and final cost-to-CMS report, all of which are included in this collection. In addition, HMOs/CMPs are required to submit fourth quarter interim reports to the CMS annually; however, the required submission of Q4 interim reports is canceled until further notice by the CMS. Please note that HCPPs are not required to submit fourth quarter interim reports. Form Number: CMS-276 (OMB Control Number: 0938-0165); Frequency: Quarterly; Public concerned: private sector Number of respondents: 17; Number of responses: 51; Total annual hours: 1,612. (For questions regarding this collection, contact Frank Cisar at 410-786-7553).

Dated: March 24, 2022.

William N. ParhamIII,

Director, Red Tape Reduction Staff, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.

[FR Doc. 2022-06591 Filed 3-28-22; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P

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Full text: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/03/29/2022-06591/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-for-omb-review-comment-request

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