The data collection will be used by HHS to request that States and the District of Columbia submit the following:
o A primary contact person;
o A letter of intent indicating whether or not they intend to submit an application to contract with HHS to operate a high risk pool program under the Affordable Care Act. As part of the letter of intent, we will request they include the anticipated timing for establishment of the program and information on any State legislative decisions that would be needed in order to participate in the new high risk pool program;
o Advance indication of which of the potential implementation options appears to be most likely for states to use to carry out their program, including available additional details such as outlines of programs, or other ideas about potential mechanisms of providing coverage under the new law; and
o All of the above information be submitted via email to HHS with the subject line "Notice of Intent."
This above information will assist HHS in planning for and executing contracts with States to provide a high risk pool program.
In accordance with Section 1101 of The Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act, H.R. 3590 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is tasked with establishing a "temporary high risk health insurance pool program" to provide health insurance coverage to currently uninsured individuals with pre-existing conditions. This temporary high risk health insurance pool program has a statutory implementation date of July 1, 2010. Due to the urgency and the short time frames associated with this requirement, HHS does not have sufficient time to follow the normal notice and comment periods associated with the normal OMB approval process. Therefore, we are requesting an emergency review and approval for this information collection request.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.