[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2013-2014]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-989]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0606]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is announcing an 
opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain 
information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 
1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal 
Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including 
each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 
60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice 
solicits comments on the information to authorize VA to bill 
``reasonable charges'' instead of ``reasonable costs'' for medical care 
or services provided or furnished to a veteran for a non-service-
connected condition.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before March 18, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Ann Bickoff, Veterans Health Administration (193B1), Department of 
Veterans Affairs,

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810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail: 
[email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-
0606'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Bickoff at (202) 273-8310.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C., 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Regulation for Submission of Evidence--Title 38 CFR 
17.101(a)(2).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0606.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: A third-party payer that is liable for reimbursing VA for 
health care VA provided to veterans with non-service connected 
conditions continues to have the option of paying either the billed 
charges or the amount the health plan demonstrates it would pay to 
providers other than entities of the United States for the same care or 
services in the same geographic area. If the amount submitted for 
payment is less than the amount billed, VA will accept the submission 
as payment, subject to verification at VA's discretion. VA may request 
the third-party payer to submit evidence or information to substantiate 
the appropriateness of the payment amount (e.g., health plan policies, 
provider agreements, medical evidence, proof of payment to other 
providers demonstrating the amount paid for the same care and services 
VA provided). The information is needed to determine whether the third-
party payer has met the test of properly demonstrating its equivalent 
private sector provider payment amount for the same care or services 
and within the same geographic area as provided by VA.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Individuals or 
households, Not for Profit Institutions, Farms, and State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 800 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 2 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 400.

    Dated: December 27, 2001.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Mary Granito,
Management Analyst, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 02-989 Filed 1-14-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P