[Federal Register: December 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 240)]
[Notices]               
[Page 69928]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15de03-112]                         



[[Page 69928]]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-4063-N]

 
Medicare Program; Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces our intention to solicit applications 
from entities seeking a Medicare endorsement of their prescription drug 
discount card programs under the Prescription Drug and Medicare 
Improvement Act of 2003. Private sector entities that do business in 
the United States and meet all of the qualifications provided by CMS 
may receive a Medicare endorsement to operate a prescription drug 
discount card program, including the administration of up to $600 in 
transitional assistance for eligible Medicare beneficiaries. 
Additionally, Medicare Part C organizations that offer coordinated care 
plans, and Medicare reasonable cost reimbursement contractors, may 
qualify for a Medicare endorsement to provide such a discount card 
program with transitional assistance exclusively to members of one or 
more of its Medicare managed care plans. The requirements for these 
endorsements are stated in supplemental packages--solicitations for 
applications--that will be posted on the CMS Web site in December 2003. 
See ADDRESSES for CMS Web site address.
    We anticipate that all applicants whose discount card programs meet 
the requirements stated in the supplemental package will receive the 
Medicare endorsement.
    Who May Apply: Non-governmental entities that do business in the 
United States may apply.

DATES: Applications are due to CMS in early 2004, and CMS expects to 
announce endorsements shortly thereafter. Entities applying in 2004 to 
enter into a new contract with CMS as a Part C organization offering a 
coordinated care plan, or plans, will have an additional opportunity to 
apply for endorsement in 2004.
    Deadline for Letter of Intent to Apply: Interested entities are 
encouraged to immediately submit a letter of intent to the attention of Scott Nelson by e-mail to snelson2@cms.hhs.gov, or by FAX, to 410-786-
8933, to apply for an endorsement. Submission of a letter of intent is 
optional and will not affect the approval of an application.
    Date of Pre-Application Conference: We will hold a pre-application 
conference shortly after the supplemental packages are posted on the 
CMS Web site and will post on our Web site the date and time of the 
conference, as well as instructions for registering to attend the 
conference.
    Deadline for Application Submission: Applications for endorsement 
are due 45 days after the solicitations are posted.

ADDRESSES: Application instructions and materials are available in the 
solicitations from the Web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/discountdrugs/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the solicitation may 
be directed to: Scott Nelson, Health Insurance Specialist, Center for 
Beneficiary Choices, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at snelson2@cms.hhs.gov. Responses to the questions will be addressed at 
the conference and posted on the CMS Web site.
    Approval of Collection of Information: The Secretary is authorized 
under section 105(e) of the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement 
Act of 2003 to conduct the collection of information requested in this 
solicitation without regard to the requirements of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act, chapter 35, title 44, United States Code.

    Authority: Section 105 of the Prescription Drug and Medicare 
Improvement Act of 2003.

    Dated: December 8, 2003.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
    Approved: December 8, 2003.
Tommy G. Thompson,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-30754 Filed 12-12-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P