Proposed Collection; Comment Request
[08/13/2003]
Volume 68, Number 156, Page 48415
[[Page 48415]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment Standards Administration
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format,
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized,
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting
comments concerning the proposed collection: Claim for Medical
Reimbursement Form (OWCP-915). A copy of the proposed information
collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed
below in the addressee section of this Notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
addressee section below on or before October 14, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone
(202) 693-0418, FAX (202) 693-1451, e-mail Bell.Hazel@dol.gov. Please
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, FAX, or e-
mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
I. Background
The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the
Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), 5 U.S.C. 8101, et seq., the
Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA), 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq., and the Energy
Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000
(EEOICPA), 42 U.S.C. 7384 et seq. These Acts require OWCP to pay for
covered medical treatment that is provided to beneficiaries, and also
to reimburse beneficiaries for any out-of-pocket covered medical
expenses they have paid. Respondents under BLBA use similar Form CM-915
(approved under OMB No. 1215-0052) to seek reimbursement for out-of-
pocket medical expenses they have paid, while respondents under the
EEOICPA use Form EE-915 (approved under OMB No. 1215-0197). OWCP is now
seeking an extension of the approval for this collection of information
for respondents under the BLBA and EEOICPA using a new form (Form OWCP-
915) for all three programs. Clearance of the OWCP-915 for use by
beneficiaries from all three programs is a vital step in the
unification of OWCP's separate medical bill processing systems under
one contractor. The OWCP-915 provides a standardized format for the
beneficiary to bill OWCP for recovery of fees paid in connection with
their treatment. This information collection is currently approved for
use through January 31, 2004.
II. Review Focus
The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments
which:
[sbull] evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
[sbull] evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
[sbull] enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information
to be collected; and
[sbull] minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submissions of responses.
III. Current Actions
The Department of Labor seeks approval for the extension of this
information collection in order to carry out its responsibility to
provide payment for certain covered medical services to injured
employees who are covered under the Acts.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
Title: Claim for Medical Reimbursement Form.
OMB Number: 1215-0193.
Agency Number: OWCP-915.
Affected Public: Individual or households; Business or other for-
profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
Total Respondents: 33,727.
Total Responses: 134,908.
Time per Response: 10 minutes.
Frequency: Quarterly.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 22,394.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $148,000.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a
matter of public record.
Dated: August 6, 2003.
Bruce Bohanon,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-20579 Filed 8-12-03; 8:45 am
|