The information collection requirements contained in the proposed rule titled “Transparency in Coverage,” published November 27, 2019 (84 FR 65464), would require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering coverage in the individual and group markets to disclose to a participant, beneficiary, or enrollee (or an authorized representative on behalf of such individual), the estimated cost-sharing liability for covered items or services from a particular provider or providers, thereby allowing a participant, beneficiary, or enrollee to obtain an accurate estimate and understanding of their potential out-of-pocket expenses and to effectively shop for covered items and services. Group health plans and health insurance issuers would be required to make such information available through a self-service tool on an internet website. The self-service tool must provide the information through real-time responses and allow users to search for cost-sharing information for covered items and services. The self-service tool must also allow users to input information necessary to learn the out-of-network allowed amount for a covered item or service and have the capability to refine and reorder results. Group health plans and health insurance issuers would also be required to make this information available as a disclosure in written form. Both the self-service tool and the paper disclosure would be required to include several disclaimer statements relevant to information provided through the disclosure and could be provided by using a model notice developed by the Departments. Additionally, group health plans and health insurance issuers would be subject requirements to disclose in-network provider negotiated rates and historical payment data for allowed amounts for covered items and services furnished by out-of-network providers through two digital files in a machine-readable format to be specified by the Departments. The Negotiated Rate file and the Allowed Amount file must be posted publicly on an internet website.
The purpose of this submission is to establish the information collection request currently approved under 0938-1429 as a Sponsoring Common Form. During the associated rulemaking (85 FR 72158) as well as in the subsequent submission to OMB, the ICR explicitly stated that it would be using the Request for Common Form (RCF) process. Once approved, the Departments would submit RCFs for their respective Departments. Due to an administrative oversight, CMS did not submit 0938-1429 as an ICR sponsoring a common form. With this submission we are correcting the oversight. We note that no changes have been made to the ICR, that is, no new requirements, no removed requirements, no additions or deletions to the respondent populations and no changes to time or cost burden. Two formatting changes were made to the supporting statement document. The supporting statement has been retitled to contain the correct OMB control number and the file was converted from a PDF file to a Word file.
Agency/Sub Agency
RCF ID
RCF Title
RCF Status
IC Title
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.
Form CMS-10715 Allowed Amount File
0938-1429.Supplementary Note to File.docx
Customer Service Representatives Training