Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Issues 2 Information Collection Requests

WASHINGTON, June 10 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has proposed two information collections.

The information collections are 1. Request for Enrollment in Supplementary Medical Insurance; 2. Request for Employment Information.

The notice was issued by William N. Parham III, director of the Paperwork Reduction Staff in the Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.

COMMENT DEADLINE: July 12, 2023

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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 July 12, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting "Currently under 30-day Review--Open for Public Comments" or by using the search function.

To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, please access the CMS PRA website by copying and pasting the following web address into your web browser: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRA-Listing.

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 of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Request for Enrollment in Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI); Use: CMS regulations 42 CFR 407.11 lists the CMS-4040 as the application to be used by individuals who are not eligible for monthly Social Security/Railroad Retirement Board benefits or free Part A. The CMS-4040 solicits the information that is used to determine entitlement for individuals who meet the requirements in section 1836 as well as the entitlement of the applicant or their spouses to an annuity paid by OPM for premium deduction purposes. The application follows the application questions and requirements used by SSA. This is done not only for consistency purposes but to comply with other Title II and Title XVIII requirements because eligibility to Title II benefits and free Part A under Title XVIII must be ruled out in order to qualify for enrollment in Part B only. Form Number: CMS-4040 (OMB control number: 0938-0245); Frequency: Once; Affected Public: Individuals or households; Number of Respondents: 42,011; Total Annual Responses: 42,011; Total Annual Hours: 10,503. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Carla Patterson at 410-786-8911.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Request for Employment Information; Use: The form CMS-L564, also referred to as CMS-R-297, is used, in conjunction with form CMS-40-B, Application for Supplementary Medical Insurance, during an individual's special enrollment period (SEP). Completed by an employer, the CMS-L564 provides proof of an applicant's employer group health coverage. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses it to obtain information from employers regarding whether a Medicare beneficiary's coverage under a group health plan is based on current employment status. The form is available online via Medicare.gov and CMS.gov for individuals who are requesting the SEP to obtain and submit to their employer for completion. The employer must complete and sign the form, and submit it to the individual to accompany their enrollment or late enrollment penalty reduction request. The information on the completed form is reviewed manually by SSA. Form Number: CMS-R-297 (OMB control number: 0938-0787); Frequency: Once; Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-profits, Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 676,526; Total Annual Responses: 676,526; Total Annual Hours: 56,355. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Carla Patterson at 410-786-8911.)

Dated: June 6, 2023.

William N. Parham, III,

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

[FR Doc. 2023-12396 Filed 6-9-23; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P

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The document was published in the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/06/12/2023-12396/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-for-omb-review-comment-request

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