[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 171 (Thursday, September 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52617-52618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22501]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employee Benefits Security Administration


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (the Department), 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 
continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of

[[Page 52618]]

1995 (PRA 95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This 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 Employee Benefits Security Administration is 
soliciting comments concerning the information collection entitled 
Annual Report for Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (Form M-1) 
contained in the Department's regulation at 29 CFR 2520.101-2, Multiple 
Employer Welfare Arrangements and Certain Other Entities that Offer or 
Provide Medical Care to the Employees of Two or More Employers. A copy 
of the ICR may be obtained by contacting the office listed in the 
addresses section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office shown in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before November 3, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Gerald B. Lindrew, Office of Policy and Research, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-5647, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: 
(202) 693-8410; Fax: (202) 219-5333. These are not toll-free numbers.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 
(HIPAA), codified as part 7 of Title I of the Employee Retirement 
Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), was enacted to improve the portability 
and continuity of health care coverage for participants and 
beneficiaries of group health plans. In the interest of assuring 
compliance with part 7, HIPAA also added section 101(g) to ERISA 
permitting the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to require multiple 
employer welfare arrangements (MEWA) as defined in section 3(40) of 
ERISA to report to the Secretary in such form and manner as the 
Secretary might determine. To assist MEWAs and other entities with 
reporting, the Department published a final rule providing guidance for 
determining compliance and a form to be used for the annual report. 
Form M-1, the information collection provision of the regulation, is 
required to be filed by MEWAs and by other entities described in the 
regulation. The purpose of the information collection is to provide the 
Secretary with information to determine the extent to which the 
requirements of part 7 of ERISA are being carried out in connection 
with the provision of benefits consisting of medical care.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Department is particularly interested in comments that:
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    [sbull] 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 submission of responses.

III. Current Action

    This notice requests comments on the extension of the information 
collection request (ICR) included in the regulation, Form M-1. The 
Department is not proposing or implementing changes to the existing ICR 
at this time.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection of 
information.
    Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of 
Labor.
    Titles: Annual Report for Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements 
and Certain Entities Claiming Exception (Form M-1).
    OMB Number: 1210-0116.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
    Respondents: 741.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Responses: 3,718.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,336.
    Total Burden Cost (Operating and Maintenance): $143,650.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the ICR; they will 
also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 28, 2003.
Gerald B. Lindrew,
Deputy Director, Office of Policy and Research, Employee Benefits 
Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-22501 Filed 9-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-29-M