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OMB Control No: 0938-1129	ICR Reference No: 202611-0938-006
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202401-0938-007
Agency/Subagency: HHS/CMS	Agency Tracking No: CM-CPC
Title: Quality Bonus Payment Appeals (CMS-10346)
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 11/06/2026

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	04/30/2027
Responses	20	20
Time Burden (Hours)	160	160
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

Abstract: Section 1853(o) of the Social Security Act requires us to make Quality Bonus Payments (QBPs) to Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations that achieve performance rating scores of at least 4 stars under a five star rating system. Beginning in 2012, the star ratings we assign for purposes of QBPs under section 1858(o) of the Act will directly affect the monthly payment amount MA organizations receive from us under their contracts. In effect, this information collection request addresses a review process through which MA organizations may seek review of determinations governing their star rating ("QBP status") when the MA organization's rating is less than 4 stars. Regarding the appeals process, MA organizations have 5 calendar days from the date of CMS' release of its QBP determinations to request a technical report from CMS explaining the development of their QBP status. The technical report will be provided in writing by electronic mail to the MA organization and CMS within 30 days of CMS' receipt of the organization's request for the report by the technical report contractor. If, after reviewing the technical report, the MA organization believes that CMS was incorrect in its QBP determination, within 7 calendar days, the MA organization may request an appeal to be conducted by a hearing officer designated by CMS. The hearing officer's decision would be final and binding on both the MA organization and CMS. The hearing officer will be required to issue his/her decision on or before May 15 of the year preceding the year in which the plans for which the QBP is to be applied will be offered.

Authorizing Statute(s): Statute at Large: 18 Stat. 1856
   PL: Pub.L. 111 - 152 1102 Name of Law: Medicare Advantage Payments
   Statute at Large: 18 Stat. 1853

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 52303	08/13/2026
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 69848	11/05/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Appeals of Quality Bonus Payment Determinations	CMS-10346

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved
Annual Number of Responses	20	20
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	160	160
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement:

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $8,337

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Yes

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Stephan McKenzie 410 786-1943 stephan.mckenzie@cms.hhs.gov

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