Proposed Collection; Comment Request [12/16/2003]
Volume 68, Number 241, Page 70037-70038
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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: Medical Travel Refund
Request (OWCP-957). A copy of the proposed information collection
request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the
addresses section of this notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
addresses section below on or before February 17, 2004.
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, Email bell.hazel@dol.gov. Please
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or Email).
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. All three of these statutes require
that OWCP reimburse beneficiaries for travel expenses incurred for
covered medical treatment. In order to determine whether amounts
requested as travel expenses are appropriate, OWCP must receive certain
data elements, including the signature of the physician for expenses
claimed under the BLBA. Form OWCP-957 is the standard format for the
collection of these data elements. The OWCP-957 is used by OWCP and its
contractor bill processing staff to process reimbursement requests for
travel expenses. This information collection is currently approved for
use through June 30, 2004.
[[Page 70038]]
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
determine if requests for reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses
incurred when traveling to medical providers for covered medical
testing or treatment should be paid.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
Title: Medical Travel Refund Request.
OMB Number: 1215-0054.
Agency Number: OWCP-957.
Affected Public: Individual or households.
Total Respondents: 52,221.
Total Responses: 52,221.
Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
Frequency: On occasion.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 8,669.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $19,000.
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: December 10, 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. 03-30968 Filed 12-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-27-P
|