[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 165 (Thursday, August 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 46749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22250]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service
[REG-253578-96]


Proposed Collection; Comment Request For Regulation Project

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing 
effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general 
public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment 
on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning an 
existing notice of proposed rulemaking, REG-253578-96, Health Insurance 
Portability for Group Health Plans; and temporary regulation (TD 8716) 
Interim Rules for Health Insurance Portability for Group Health Plans 
(Secs. 54.9801-3T, 54.9801-4T, 54.9801-5T, and 54.9801-6T).

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before October 25, 
1999 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Garrick R. Shear, Internal 
Revenue Service, room 5244, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, 
DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the regulations should be directed to Carol Savage, (202) 
622-3945, Internal Revenue Service, room 5242, 1111 Constitution Avenue 
NW., Washington, DC 20224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Health Insurance Portability 
for Group Health Plans, and temporary regulation, Interim Rules for 
Health Insurance Portability for Group Health Plans.
    OMB Number: 1545-1537.
    Regulation Project Number: REG-253578-96.
    Abstract: These regulations contain rules governing access, 
portability, and renewability requirements for group health plans and 
issuers of health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group 
health plan. The regulations also provide guidance for group health 
plans and the employers maintaining them regarding requirements imposed 
on plans relating to preexisting condition exclusions, discrimination 
based on health status, and access to coverage.
    Current Actions: There is no change to these existing regulations.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, not-
for-profit institutions, and state, local, or tribal governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,300,000.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: Varies.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 591,561.
    The following paragraph applies to all of the collections of 
information covered by this notice:
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of 
information displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records 
relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as 
their contents may become material in the administration of any 
internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information 
are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.

Request for Comments

    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will 
become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) whether 
the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance 
of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) 
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates 
of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and 
purchase of services to provide information.

    Approved: August 18, 1999.
Garrick R. Shear,
IRS Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-22250 Filed 8-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P