CMS Begs for Feedback on Boring Info Forms Again
Published Date: 3/21/2025
Notice
Summary
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) wants your feedback on their plan to collect some info from the public. This is part of a routine check to make sure the info they gather is useful and not too much work for anyone. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until April 21, 2025, to share them—no cost, just your voice!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Form to Enroll in Medicare Part B
You (or someone acting for you) use Form CMS-40B to enroll in Medicare Part B if you already have Part A but not Part B. CMS estimates 1,184,546 respondents will complete this form once each year, with a total annual burden of 292,820 hours. Part B is voluntary and financed by enrollee premiums together with Federal contributions.
Special-Enrollment Form for Missed Medicare Periods
If you missed a regular enrollment period due to an exceptional circumstance, you can submit Form CMS-10797 to request a Special Enrollment Period for Medicare Part A and/or Part B. CMS estimates 34,612 respondents will use this form once, with a total annual burden of 19,901 hours. The form is submitted to the Social Security Administration to complete enrollment.
Form to Enroll in Part B Only (SMI)
Form CMS-4040 is used by individuals age 65 or older who are not entitled to premium-free Part A but want to enroll in Medicare Part B only; applicants must be U.S. residents and either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who have lived in the U.S. continuously for 5 years. CMS estimates 48,642 respondents will complete this form once, with a total annual burden of 12,161 hours.
MA/PDP Plan Benefit and Formulary Submissions
Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) organizations must submit Plan Benefit Package (PBP) software, a formulary file, and supporting documents annually as part of the CY 2026 process. CMS reports 785 respondents and 8,337 annual responses with a total annual burden of 46,026 hours; CMS uses these submissions to review plan benefits and to populate the Medicare Plan Finder so beneficiaries can access and compare plans.
D-SNP Contracts with State Medicaid Agencies
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) must have contracts with State Medicaid agencies that identify how Medicaid benefits will be provided or arranged; CMS reviews these contracts annually to ensure they meet minimum requirements. CMS reports 886 respondents and 893 total annual responses with a total annual burden of 17,403 hours for this collection.
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