The Affordable Care Act requires that
all qualified health plans (QHPs) offered in the Exchanges provide
the essential health benefits (EHB) and be accredited by an
accrediting entity that is recognized by the Secretary of Health
and Human Services. In order to establish EHB benchmark plans in
each State, CMS will collect data from potential default benchmark
plan issuers in each State and from States that select their own
benchmark. CMS also intends to ask all States for a voluntary
submission of their State mandated benefits. This data collection
will include: administrative data necessary to identify the plan,
all health benefits offered by the plans and associated limits,
drug coverage, network type, and plan level enrollment. Finally, we
plan to collect submissions from dental plan issuers on whether
they intend to apply for certification to participate in the
Exchanges as stand-alone plans.
The overall burden hour
estimate has decreased from 642 to 165, a total reduction of 477
hours. CMS is reducing burden on issuers and states by eliminating
the submission of reporting instruments. The Department is
proposing to employ a simplified approach to selecting an EHB
benchmark plan beginning in 2017. The information being requested
already exists independently of CMS reporting requirements and
therefore, the collection of information has a minimal impact the
public. Further, once the information is compiled CMS is asking to
receive the requested files via email. The existing ICR assumes
burden for 158 respondents (issuers and states). The number of
respondents is being reduced from 158 to 51 respondents. The burden
related to Dental Plans has risen due to the increase in the number
of issuers, from 20 issuers to 175 issuers.
$0
No
No
Yes
No
No
Uncollected
Jamaa Hill 301 492-4190
No
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.