[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19408-19409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8256]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 
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 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

[[Page 19409]]

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 7, 2004.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 04-8256 Filed 4-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-M