75 FR 6 pg. 1414 - Submission for OMB Emergency Review: Comment Request
Type: NOTICEVolume: 75Number: 6Page: 1414
FR document: [FR Doc. 2010-154 Filed 1-8-10; 8:45 am]
Agency: Labor Department
Sub Agency: Office of the Secretary
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of the Secretary
Submission for OMB Emergency Review: Comment Request
January 5, 2010.
The Department of Labor has submitted the following information collection request (ICR), utilizing emergency review procedures, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) and 5 CFR 1320.13. OMB approval has been requested by January 19, 2010. A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation; including among other things a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained from the RegInfo.gov Web site at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain or by contacting Darrin King on 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number)/ e-mail: DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov. Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Department of Labor-Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Telephone: 202-395-7316/ Fax: 202-395-6974 (these are not toll-free numbers), E-mail: OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov. Comments and questions about the ICR listed below should be received 5 days prior to the requested OMB approval date. Please note, an additional opportunity to comment will be provided when this ICR is resubmitted to OMB under standard PRA clearance procedures and pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.10.
The OMB is particularly interested in comments which:
• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarify of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration.
Title of Collection: Model Employer CHIP Notice.
OMB Control Number: 1210-NEW.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,056,000.
Total Estimated Number of Responses: 203,794,701.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 1,053,000.
Total Net Estimated Annual Costs Burden (other than hourly costs): $25,271,000.
Description: On February 4, 2009, President Obama signed the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA, Pub. L. 111-3). Under ERISA section 701(f)(3)(B)(i)(I), PHS Act section 2701(f)(3)(B)(i)(I), and section 9801(f)(3)(B)(i)(I) of the Internal Revenue Code, as added by CHIPRA, an employer that maintains a group health plan in a State that provides medical assistance under a State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (SSA), or child health assistance under a State child health plan under title XXI of the SSA, in the form of premium assistance for the purchase of coverage under a group health plan, is required to make certain disclosures. Specifically, the employer is required to notify each employee of potential opportunities currently available in the State in which the employee resides for premium assistance under Medicaid and CHIP for health coverage of the employee or the employee's dependents.
ERISA section 701(f)(3)(B)(i)(II) requires the Department of Labor to provide employers with model language for the Employer CHIP Notices to enable them to timely comply with this requirement. The Model Employer CHIP Notice is required to include information on how an employee may contact the State in which the employee resides for additional information regarding potential opportunities for premium assistance, including how to apply for such assistance.
Section 311(b)(1)(D) of CHIPRA provides that the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services shall develop the initial Model Employer CHIP Notice under ERISA section 701(f)(3)(B)(i)(II), and the Department of Labor shall provide such notices to employers, by February 4, 2010. Moreover, each employer is required to provide the initial annual notices to such employer's employees beginning with the first plan year that begins after the date on which the initial model notices are first issued. The ICR relates to the Model Employer Chip Notice.
Why are we requesting Emergency Processing? If the Department were required to comply with standard PRA clearance procedures, it would not be able to publish the model notices on a timely basis.
Dated: January 5, 2010.
Darrin A. King,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-154 Filed 1-8-10; 8:45 am]
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