Response to 30-day Comments

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850

CENTER FOR MEDICARE

TO:

Office of Management and Budget

FROM:

Lori Robinson, Director
Division of Plan Data
Medicare Drug Benefit and C & D Data Group
Center for Medicare

DATE:

March 28, 2017

SUBJECT:

Response to CMS-R-262 30-Day PRA comments

CMS appreciates the comments provided on the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) package CMS -R-262,
Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary Submission for Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans a nd
Prescription Drug Plans (PDP). Our responses to the comments submitted are below.
CMS received one comment from one organization. A response to the comment is below.
Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary Comments
1. The Contract Year 2018 Plan Benefit Package (PBP) Software and Formulary Submission
appeared for 30-day comment in the January 23, 2017 Federal Register. The comments are
due February 22, 2017. The supporting documents have still not been posted on the PRA
Listing web page. This information is also referenced in the recently published Advance Notice
of Methodological Changes for Calendar Year (CY) 2018 for Medicare Advantage (MA)
Capitation Rates, Part C and Part D Payment Policies and 2018 Call Letter. Only the previous
60-day notice documents are available (issued 10/31/16). Please provide the supporting
documentation to me at amy.luhmann@bluecrossmn.com. In addition, I’m wondering
whether the comment period will be extended due to the unavailability of the supporting
documents to date.
CMS RESPONSE: Thank you for your request. CMS acknowledges that we encountered
difficulties associated with posting the PRA package. However, once the issues were resolved,
the correct documents ultimately posted for public review. Coincidentally, this was the same
day as your e-mail request, namely February 10, 2017. Given that we did not receive any other
requests to extend the comment period, we respectfully decline this request.
If you have any questions regarding our responses, please contact Sara Walters at
sara.walters@cms.hhs.gov or 410-786-3330.

Thank you.