[Federal Register: June 23, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 119)]
[Notices]
[Page 29721-29722]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23jn09-88]
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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, 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 the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) approval of the Information Collection: Provider
Enrollment Form (OWCP-
[[Page 29722]]
1168). 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 August 24, 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.
These statutes require OWCP to pay for appropriate medical and
vocational rehabilitation services provided to beneficiaries. In order
for OWCP's billing contractor to pay providers of these services with
its automated bill processing system, providers must ``enroll'' with
one or more of the OWCP programs that administer the statutes by
submitting certain profile information, including identifying
information, tax I.D. information, and whether they possess specialty
or sub-specialty training. Form OWCP-1168 is used to obtain this
information from each provider.
If this information is not obtained before the provider submits his
or her first bill for payment, the bill payment process is
substantially prolonged and increases the burden on providers. This
information collection is currently approved for use through January
31, 2010.
II. Review Focus
The Department of Labor 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.
III. Current Actions
The Department of Labor seeks the approval of the extension of this
information collection in order to carry out a wide range of automated
bill ``edits'', such as the identification of duplicate billings, the
application of pertinent fee schedules, utilization review, and fraud
and abuse detection. The profile information is also used to furnish
detailed reports to providers on the status of previously submitted
bills.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
Title: Provider Enrollment Form (OWCP-1168).
OMB Number: 1215-0137.
Agency Numbers: OWCP-1168.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Total Respondents: 70,185.
Total Annual Responses: 70,185.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 9,335.
Estimated Time per Response: 8 minutes.
Frequency: On occasion.
Total Burden Cost (Capital/Startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (Operating/Maintenance): $32,987.
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: June 18, 2009.
Steven D. Lawrence,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control,
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-14666 Filed 6-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CH-P