[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31968-31969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12831]


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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 August 9, 
2004.

[[Page 31969]]


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 area 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:

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 (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 
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: June 2, 2004.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, DoD.
[FR Doc. 04-12831 Filed 6-7-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-04-M