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.
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.