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-288]

Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements

Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

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 (DHHS),

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 of the

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.

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 prior to the expiration of the normal time

limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. In particular, a

statutory deadline has been missed and public harm may occur, as the

result of unnecessary loss of Medicare trust fund dollars.

The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 requires the Secretary to implement

up to seven competitive pricing demonstrations. Advisory committees,

authorized under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), have been

responsible for recommending the design of the demonstration, the sites

for the demonstrations, and the manner in which the demonstrations are

to be implemented. As such, this information collection was developed

under the direction of the two committees and is intended for the

Kansas City competitive pricing demonstration since its design is

final.

Congress directed HCFA to implement the competitive pricing

demonstration through the use of two FACA-compliant advisory committees

composed of health care experts. Consistent with FACA requirements, all

advisory committee meetings were open to the public and all affected

parties were present and able to provide input. Notice of the five

meetings of the Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee (CPAC) and the

four meetings of the Kansas City Area

[[Page 35175]]

Advisory Committee were published in the Federal Register.

Throughout the planning process for this demonstration which began

in May 1998, all entities impacted by the demonstration including

health plans, providers, employers and beneficiaries have been educated

on the types of specific information required in the bid solicitation

package. In response, written comments and recommendations have been

received from the public on all aspects of the demonstration design and

implementation during our Federal Advisory Committee meetings. This

information collection package could not be prepared until several

specific decisions were made by the advisory committees. These included

the formula for determining the government contribution, the standard

benefit package upon which plans bid, the county or counties upon which

the bid is based, and the service included in the demonstration. Final

decisions occurred on May 12, 1999, and, as a result, HCFA could not

reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures. Also, due to

the fact that the Kansas City demonstration is scheduled to begin on

January 1, 2000, at the direction of the CPAC, HCFA must have the

collection approved by July 1, 1999 to allow potential bidders enough

time to plan for, and submit their applications.

The Bid Solicitation Package for Kansas City will be used to

determine the government's contribution to premiums for Medicare+Choice

plans that are participating in the Competitive Pricing Demonstration.

HCFA will use the information to determine the higher of the weighted

average or median of all submitted bids.

HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection

within 2 days of publication, with a 180-day approval period. Written

comments and recommendations will be accepted from the public if

received by the individual designated below, within 2 days of

publication.

During this 180-day period, HCFA will pursue OMB clearance of this

collection as stipulated by 5 CFR 1320.

Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection;

Title of Information Collection: Medicare Competitive Pricing

Demonstration Bid Solicitation Package for Kansas City;

Form No.: HCFA-R-0288;

Use: This information collection ``Medicare Competitive Pricing

Demonstration Bid Solicitation Package for Kansas City'' will be used

to determine the government's contribution to premiums for

Medicare+Choice plans that are participating in the Competitive Pricing

Demonstration. HCFA will use the information to determine the higher of

the weighted average or median of all submitted bids;

Frequency: One time;

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit;

Number of Respondents: 9;

Total Annual Responses: 9;

Total Annual Hours: 360.

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, OMB number, and

HCFA document identifier, 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 record keeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed

to the designee referenced below within 2 days of publication:

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) 786-0262 Attn: John Burke HCFA-R-0288

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: June 22, 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. 99-16615 Filed 6-29-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-03-P