[Federal Register: March 12, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 47)]
[Notices]               
[Page 10778-10779]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12mr09-103]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration

 
Proposed Extension of the Approval of Information Collection 
Requirements

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), 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 its proposal to extend OMB approval of the 
information collection: Health Insurance Claim Form (OWCP-1500). 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 May 11, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Mr. Steven D. Lawrence, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0292, fax (202) 693-1451, e-mail Lawrence.Steven@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) is the agency 
responsible for administration of 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 pay for medical treatment of 
beneficiaries; BLBA also requires that OWCP pay for medical 
examinations and related diagnostic services to determine eligibility 
for benefits under that statute. Form OWCP-1500 is used by OWCP and 
contractor bill payment staff to process bills for medical services 
provided by medical professionals other than medical services provided 
by hospitals, pharmacies and certain other medical providers. To 
consider the appropriateness of the requested payment in a timely 
fashion, it is essential that provider bills be submitted on a standard 
form that will capture the critical data elements needed to evaluate 
the bill, such as procedure and diagnosis codes.
    This information collection is currently approved for use through 
October 31, 2009.

II. Review Focus

    The DOL is particularly interested in comments which:
     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;
     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;
     Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     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.

[[Page 10779]]

III. Current Actions

    The DOL seeks the approval for the extension of this currently 
approved information collection. Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Health Insurance Claim Form (OWCP-1500).
    OMB Number: 1215-0055.
    Agency Number: OWCP-1500.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, businesses or other 
for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 749,104.
    Total Responses: 2,996,416.
    Time per Response: 7 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion and annually.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 359,358.
    Total Burden Cost (Capital/Startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (Operating/Maintenance): $5,368,809.
    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: March 9, 2009.
Hazel Bell,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, 
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration 
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
 [FR Doc. E9-5368 Filed 3-11-09; 8:45 am]

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