[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 188 (Monday, September 29, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55938-55939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24439]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Proposed Collection, Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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    In accordance with Section 3506(c) of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health 
Affairs announces the proposed reinstatement of a public information 
collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments 
are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed extension of 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 
information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize 
the burden of the information collection on respondents, including 
through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.

DATES: Considerations will be given to all comments received November 
28, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed

[[Page 55939]]

information collection should be sent to TRICARE Management Activity--
Aurora, Appeals, Hearings and Claims Collection Division, 16401 E. 
Centretch Pkwy., Attn: Donald F. Wagner, Aurora, CO 80011-9066.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on this 
proposed information collection, please write to the above address or 
call TRICARE Management Activity, Appeals, Hearings and Claims 
Collection Division at (303) 676-3411.
    Title, Associated Form, and OMB Number: Professional Qualifications 
Medical/Peer Reviewers, CHAMPUS Form 780, OMB Number 0720-0005.
    Needs and Uses: The information collection requirement is necessary 
to obtain and record the professional qualifications of medical and 
peer reviewers utilized within CHAMPUS. The form is included as an 
exhibit in an appeal or hearing case file as evidence of the reviewer's 
professional qualifications to review the medical documentation 
contained in the case file.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Annual Burden Hours: 15.
    Annual Number of Respondents: 60.
    Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Average Burden per Response: 15 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Summary of Information Collection

    Respondents are medical professionals who provide medical and peer 
review of cases appealed to the Office of Appeals, Hearings and Claims 
Collection Division, TRICARE Management Activity. CHAMPUS Form 780 
records the professional qualifications of the medical/peer reviewer. 
The completed form is included as an exhibit in the appeal or hearing 
case file, and documents for anyone reviewing the file, the 
professional qualifications of the medical professional who review the 
case. If the form is not included in the case file, individuals 
reviewing the file will not have ready access to the qualifications of 
the reviewing medical professional. Having qualified professionals 
provide medical and peer review is essential in maintaining the 
integrity of the appeal and hearing process.

    Dated: September 22, 2003.
Patricia L. Toppings,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 03-24439 Filed 9-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-08-M