[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 156 (Friday, August 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49268-49269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20420]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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 the proposed extension collection of the following 
information collections: (1) Claimant Medical Reimbursement Form (CA-
915); and (2) NCPDC Universal Pharmacy Billing Form (79-1A). Copies of 
the proposed information collection requests 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 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Ms. Patricia A. Forkel, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0339 (this is not a toll-free number), fax (202) 693-1451.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Claimant Medical Reimbursement Form (CA-915)

I. Background

    The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the 
Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) (5 U.S.C. 8101, et. seq.). 
The statute provides, in addition to compensation for employment-
related injury and/or disability, payment to providers for certain 
medical treatment and diagnostic services related to the injury or 
disability. To determine whether the medical bills submitted by 
providers of medical services, drugs, equipment, supplies, and other 
therapy are appropriate, FECA requires that the provider billing the 
government supply certain information. The CA-915 provides a 
standardized format for the beneficiary (injured employee) to bill OWCP 
for recovery of fees paid in connection with their treatment.

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 extension of approval to collect 
this information in order to carry out its responsibility to provide 
payment for certain covered medical services to injured employees who 
are covered under the FECA.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Claimant Medical Reimbursement Form.
    OMB Number: 1215-0193.
    Agency Number: CA-915.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Federal Government.
    Total Respondents: 41,907.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 41,907.
    Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 6,597.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $15,086.52

NCPDP Universal Pharmacy Billing Form (79-1A)

I. Background

    The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the 
Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) (5 U.S.C. 8101, et. seq.), 
and the Federal Black Lung Benefits provisions of the Federal Mine 
Safety and Health Act (30 U.S.C. 901 et. seq.). These statutes provide, 
in addition to compensation for employment-related injury and/or 
disability, payment to providers for certain medical treatment and 
diagnostic services related to the injury or disability. To determine 
whether the medical bills submitted by providers of medical services, 
drugs, equipment, supplies, and other therapy are appropriate, both 
FECA and Black Lung Programs require that the provider billing the 
government supply certain information. The National Council for 
Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) Universal Pharmacy Billing form (79-
1A) is in common use by pharmacies throughout the nation and considered 
the universal billing form for pharmaceuticals. It is the bill format 
commonly accepted by Federal programs and private insurance carriers 
for the purpose of reimbursement of covered pharmaceuticals.

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 extension of approval to collect 
this information in order to carry out its responsibility to provide 
payment for

[[Page 49269]]

pharmaceuticals covered under the Acts.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    AGENCY: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: NCPDP Universal Pharmacy Billing Form.
    OMB Number: 1215-0194.
    Agency Number: 79-1A.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit 
institutions; Individuals or households; Federal Government; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Total Respondents: 594,974.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 594,974.
    Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 48,382.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $17,864.
    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 8, 2000.
Margaret J. Sherrill,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of 
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and 
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-20420 Filed 8-10-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-47-P