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-0280]

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 prevent public harm. Last year, the

volatile nature of the Medicare market created a critical need for

plan-specific Medigap data. The unanticipated event of numerous health

plans terminating their Medicare contract surprised everyone. The plan-

specific Medigap information was, and continues to be, essential for

beneficiaries who are in health plans that terminate their Medicare

contract. Last year, when the volume of health plan terminations

occurred, no one had national plan-specific Medigap data to provide to

beneficiaries affected by the mass terminations. By providing this

plan-specific Medigap data, beneficiaries will be able to make a more

realistic comparison of their costs and benefits under each option

available to them. This will prevent harm to the beneficiaries caught

in a difficult situation with a relatively short period of time to make

an informed decision. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal

clearance procedures because we must have the necessary data collected

and able to be published in July, when Medicare health plan

terminations are announced.

HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection

within 11 working days, with a 180-day approval period. Written

comments and recommendations will be accepted from the public if

received by the individuals designated below within 10 working days.

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.

Type of Information Request: New collection.

Title of Information Collection: Medigap Compare.

HCFA Form Number: HCFA-R-0280 (OMB approval #: 0938-NEW).

Use: HCFA will collect plan-specific Medigap data, including but

not limited to premiums charged and additional benefits offered, from

each insurer offering Medigap plans. The data collection will occur

electronically. The data will be provided on www.medicare.gov to assist

beneficiaries in obtaining accurate information on all their health

care coverage options.

Frequency: Annually, and semi-annually if needed.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Federal Government,

State, Local,

[[Page 23088]]

or Tribal Government, Not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 300.

Total Annual Responses: 450.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 175.

We have submitted a copy of this notice to OMB for its review of

these information collections. A notice will be published in the

Federal Register when approval is obtained.

To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms

for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, E-mail your

request, including your address, phone number, and HCFA form number(s)

referenced above, 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, within 10 working days:

Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services,

Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards,

Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Fax

Number: (410) 786-1415, Attn: Louis Blank HCFA-R-280

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

Dated: April 21, 1999.

John P. Burke III,

HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA, Office of Information Services,

Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards.

[FR Doc. 99-10740 Filed 4-28-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-03-P