[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 69 (Friday, April 9, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18879-18880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8029]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) 
DoD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense 
(Health Affairs) announces a proposed information collection and seeks 
public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) 
Whether the proposed 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 proposed 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 the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the continuing 
information collection should be sent to Lt Col Michael Hartzell, 5111 
Leesburg Pike, Suite 810, Falls Church, VA 22041-3206.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on this 
information collection, please write to the above address or contact 
LTC Michael Hartzell, by calling 703 681-3636 or e-mail at 
[email protected].
    Title, Associated Form and OMB Number: Viability of TRICARE 
Standard

[[Page 18880]]

Survey; OMB Number 0720-[To Be Determined].
    Needs and Uses: Data will be collected from civilian providers to 
determine how many are/are not accepting TRICARE Standard patients and 
to ascertain the reasons. Information will not be used to assess the 
scope and nature of any problems related to beneficiary access to care.
    Affected Public: Individuals.
    Annual Burden Hours: 2340.
    Number of Respondents: 9,360.
    Responses Per Respondent: 1.
    Average Burden Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Frequency: Annual.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Health Program Analysis and Evaluation 
Directorate (HPAE) under authority of the Office of the Assistant 
Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs)/TRICARE Management Activity will 
undertake an evaluation of the Department of Defense's TRICARE Standard 
healthcare option. HPAE will collect and analyze data that are 
necessary to meet the requirements outlined in Section 723 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. Activities 
include the collection and analysis of data obtained from civilian 
physicians (M.D.s & D.O.s) within U.S. TRICARE market areas. 
Specifically, telephone surveys of civilian providers will be conducted 
in the TRICARE market areas to determine how many healthcare providers 
are accepting new patients under TRICARE Standard in each market area. 
The telephone surveys will be conducted in at least 20 TRICARE market 
areas in the United States each fiscal year until all market areas in 
the United States have been surveyed. In prioritizing the order in 
which these market areas will be surveyed, representatives of TRICARE 
beneficiaries will be consulted in identifying locations with 
historical evidence of access-to-care problems under TRICARE Standard. 
These areas will receive priority in surveying. Information will be 
collected telephonically to determine the number of healthcare 
providers that currently accept TRICARE Standard beneficiaries as 
patients under TRICARE Standard in each market area. Providers will 
also be asked if they would accept TRICARE Standard beneficiaries as 
new patients under TRICARE Standard. Analyses and reports will include 
all legislative requirements.

    Dated: April 5, 2004.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register, Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 04-8029 Filed 4-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-M