The information collection requirements associated with this Cycle I solicitation are approved. OMB notes that HHS should seek additional OMB approval for Cycle II and for any data collection associated with reporting or evaluation of Cycle I.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2010
6 Months From Approved
51
0
0
26,520
0
0
0
0
0
On March 23, 2010, the President signed into law H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), Public Law 111-148. Section 1003 of the Affordable Care Act requires the Secretary of HHS in conjunction with States, to establish a process for the annual review of health insurance premiums to protect consumers from unreasonable, unjustified and/or excessive plan increases. This requirement takes effect beginning with the 2010 plan year. Section 1003 also establishes a program of grants to states for health insurance premium review. States receiving a grant award are to review, and if appropriate under State law, approve premium changes and provide information to the Secretary on premium increases. As the ACA requires an annual process of premium review beginning in plan year 2010, there is an urgent need to provide States with grant funding to enhance their current processes for reviewing health insurance premiums and to make immediate improvements to their current rate review reporting processes. In order to address these immediate needs, HHS will be announcing the Health Insurance Premium Review Grants on June 7, 2010 with awards to States by early August 2010.
One of the first grant programs to be launched under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is established under Section 1003 entitled, "Ensuring That Consumers Get Value for Their Dollars". Section 1003, together with several other provisions that take effect this year, are designed to help make private health insurance more accessible and affordable and increase the transparency of the health insurance system by providing new oversight of health insurance companies. Section 1003 of the Affordable Care Act requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in conjunction with the States, to establish a process for the annual review of health insurance premiums to protect consumers from unreasonable, unjustified and/or excessive rate increases. This requirement takes effect beginning with the 2010 plan year.
Section 1003 also establishes a program of grants to states for health insurance premium review. States receiving a grant award are to review, and if appropriate under State law, approve premium changes and provide information to the Secretary on premium increases. As the ACA requires an annual process of premium review beginning in plan year 2010, there is an urgent need to provide States with grant funding to enhance their current processes for reviewing health insurance premiums and to make immediate improvements to their current rate review reporting processes. In order to address these immediate needs, HHS will be announcing the Health Insurance Premium Review Grants on June 7, 2010 with awards to States by early August 2010.
The Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (OCIIO) is requesting emergency action for this clearance by the Office of Management and Budget no later than June 4, 2010. We are requesting emergency processing procedures for this application because this information is needed immediately to assure that the program for Grants to States for Health Insurance Premium Review may provide immediate grant funding to States for implementation of the above provisions. We are requesting an emergency review and approval for the information collection request and intend to review and consider any feedback and comments from applicant States and reflect such appropriate comments into the special terms and conditions as needed.
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.
Form CMS-10323 Grants to States for Health Insurance Premium Review
CMS-10323.Supporting Statement Part A.docx
Grants to States for Health Insurance Premium Review