Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-205 & HCFA-R-206]

Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements

Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration, HHS.

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Health Care Financing

Administration (HCFA), Department of Health and Human Services, is

publishing the following summary of proposed collections for public

comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this

burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,

including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility

of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of

the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3)

ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to

be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or

other forms of information technology to minimize the information

collection burden.

We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the Information

collections referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of

section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have

submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following

requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency

review because the collection of this information is needed before the

expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR,

Part 1320. This is necessary to ensure compliance with section 111 of

HIPAA necessary to implement congressional intent with respect to

guaranteeing availability of individual health insurance coverage to

certain individuals with prior group coverage. We cannot reasonably

comply with the normal clearance procedures because public harm is

likely to result because eligible individuals will not receive the

health insurance protections under the statute.

HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by

12/31/98, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and

recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the

individuals designated below by 12/29/98. During this 180-day period,

we will publish a separate Federal Register notice announcing the

initiation of an extensive 60-day agency review and public comment

period on these requirements. We will submit the requirements for OMB

review and an extension of this emergency approval.

(1) Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently

approved collection;

Title of Information Collection: Information Collection

Requirements Referenced in HIPAA for the Individual Market and

Supporting Regulations in 45 CFR Section 148;

Form No.: HCFA-R-205 (OMB# 0938-0703);

Use: These information collection requirements help ensure access

to the individual insurance market for certain individuals and allows

the States to implement their own program to meet the HIPAA

requirements for access to the individual market. The information

collection requirements outlined in this document are necessary for

issuers and States to ensure individuals receive protection under

section 111 of HIPAA.

Frequency: On occasion;

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Individuals or

Households, Not-for-profit institutions, Federal Government, and State,

Local or Tribal Government;

Number of Respondents: 1,365;

Total Annual Responses: 3,000,000;

Total Annual Hours: 670,000.

(2) Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently

approved collection;

Title of Information Collection: Information Collection

Requirements Referenced in HIPAA for the Group Market and Supporting

Regulations in 45 CFR Section 146;

Form No.: HCFA-R-206 (OMB# 0938-0702);

Use: This regulation and related information collection

requirements will ensure that group health plans provide individuals

with documentation necessary to demonstrate prior creditable coverage,

and the group health plans notify individuals of their special

enrollment rights in the group health insurance market.

Frequency: On occasion;

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Individuals or

Households, Not-for-profit institutions, Federal Government, and State,

Local or Tribal Government;

Number of Respondents: 2,400;

Total Annual Responses: 43,268,400;

Total Annual Hours: 2,561,200.

To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms

for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access HCFA's

Web Site address at http://www.hcfa.gov/regs/prdact95.htm, or E-mail

your request, including your address, phone number, to

P[email protected], or call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-

1326.

Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the

burden or any other aspect of these collections of Information

requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these Information

collection and recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed

to the designees referenced below, by 12/29/98:

Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services,

Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards,

Attention: Dawn Willinghan, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard,

Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850

and

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and

Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC

20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974 or (202) 395-5167, Attn: Allison

Herron Eydt, HCFA Desk Officer.

[[Page 69638]]

Dated: December 7, 1998.

John P. Burke III,

HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA Office of Information Services

Security and Standards Group, Dvision of HCFA Enterprise Standards.

[FR Doc. 98-33426 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am]

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