For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2017, Health and Human Services (HHS) intends to collect more complete provider data for inclusion on the HHS Essential Community Provider (ECP) list to ensure a more accurate reflection of the universe of qualified available ECPs in a given service area that can be counted toward an issuer's satisfaction of the ECP standard. The HHS will collect data on qualified and available ECPs from providers. Providers will submit an ECP petition to be added to the HHS ECP list or provide required missing data fields to remain on the list. The degree of provider participation in this data collection effort through the ECP provider petition will help inform HHS's future proposals for counting issuers' ECP write-ins toward satisfaction of the ECP standard.
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.