The American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5) provides for premium assistance and
expanded eligibility for health benefits under both the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, commonly
called COBRA, and comparable state continuation coverage programs.
This premium assistance is not paid directly to the covered
employee or the qualified beneficiary, but instead is in the form
of a tax credit for the health plan, the employer, or the insurer.
"Assistance eligible individuals" pay only 35% of their
continuation coverage premiums to the plan and the remaining 65% is
paid through the tax credit. If an individual requests treatment as
an assistance eligible individual and the employee's group health
plan, employer, or insurer denies him or her the reduced premium
assistance, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must provide
for expedited review of the denial upon application to the
Secretary in the form and manner the Secretary provides. The
Secretary is required to make a determination within 15 business
days after receipt of an individual's application for review. The
Request for Review If You Have Been Denied Premium Assistance (the
"Application") is the form that will be used by individuals to file
their expedited review appeals. Each individual must complete all
information requested on the Application in order for CMS to begin
reviewing his or her case. An Application cannot be reviewed if
sufficient information is not provided.
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.