Approved to
incorporate recent Public Health Emergency declaration for
Hurricane Debby.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
08/31/2026
08/31/2026
08/31/2026
7,195
0
7,195
8,324
0
8,324
0
0
0
Waivers under Section 1135 of the
Social Security Act (the Act) and certain flexibilities allow the
CMS to relax certain requirements, known as the Conditions of
Participation (CoPs) or Conditions of Coverage to promote the
health and safety of beneficiaries. Under Section 1135 of the Act,
the Secretary may temporarily waive or modify certain Medicare,
Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
requirements to ensure that sufficient health care services are
available to meet the needs of individuals enrolled in Social
Security Act programs in the emergency area and time periods. These
waivers ensure that providers who provide such services in good
faith can be reimbursed and exempted from sanctions. During
emergencies, such as the current COVID-19 public health emergency
(PHE), CMS must be able to apply program waivers and flexibilities
under section 1135 of the Social Security Act, in a timely manner
to respond quickly to unfolding events. In a disaster or emergency,
waivers and flexibilities assist health care providers/suppliers in
providing timely healthcare and services to people who have been
affected and enables states, Federal districts, and U.S.
territories to ensure Medicare and/or Medicaid beneficiaries have
continued access to care. During disasters and emergencies, it is
not uncommon to evacuate Medicare-participating facilities and
relocate patients/residents to other provider settings or across
state lines, especially, during hurricane and tornado events. CMS
must collect relevant information for which a provider is
requesting a waiver or flexibility to make proper decisions about
approving or denying such requests. Collection of this data aids in
the prevention of gaps in access to care and services before,
during, and after an emergency. CMS must also respond to inquiries
related to a PHE from providers and beneficiaries. CMS is not
collecting information from these inquiries; we are merely
responding to them.
US Code:
42
USC 1812(f) Name of Law: Social Security Act
US Code: 42
USC 1135 Name of Law: Social Security Act
US Code: 42
USC 1320b-5 Name of Law: Social Security Act
The annual burden hours have
increased from 5,629 to 8,324 due to the increase number of waiver
submissions and the addition of the data submission. The wage rates
have been updated to year 2023. The annual cost has changed from
$81,897 to $502,536.25.
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.