[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 104 (Friday, May 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30634-30635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12114]


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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)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for 
Health Affairs announces the proposed new public 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 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: Consideration will be given to all comments received by July 27, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations on the information 
collection should be sent to Michael Hartzell, Lt. Col., USAF, BSC, 
Health Program Analysis and Evaluation/TMA, 5111 Leesburg Pike, Suite 
810, Falls Church, Virginia, 22041-3206.
    Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Viability of TRICARE 
Standard.
    Needs and Uses: As mandated by Congress, confidential surveys of 
civilian physicians will be completed in TRICARE market areas within 
the United States to determine how many accept new TRICARE Standard 
patients in each market area. 20 TRICARE market areas in the United 
States will be conducted each fiscal year until all TRICARE market 
areas in the United States have been surveyed.
    Affected Public: Individuals--Licensed MDs (Medical Doctors) and 
DOs (Doctor of Osteopathy).
    Annual Burden Hours: 5,333.
    Number of Respondents: 3,200.
    Responses Per Respondent: 1 per person.
    Average Burden Per Response: 10 minutes per survey.
    Frequency: Once.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 30635]]

Summary of Information Collection

    The Health Program Analysis and Evaluation Directorate (HPAE) under 
the authority of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense 
(Health Affairs)/TRICARE Management Activity will undertake an 
evaluation of the DoD'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 
FY2004. Activities include the collection and analyses of data obtained 
confidentially from civilian physicians (MDs & DOs) 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 that had 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: May 21, 2004
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison,
[FR Doc. 04-12114 Filed 5-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-M