[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 213 (Thursday, November 4, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 64326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24659]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Submission for OMB Review: Comment Request

October 26, 2004.
    The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted the following public 
information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35). A copy of 
this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by 
contacting Darrin King on (202) 693-4129 (this is not a toll-free 
number) or e-mail: [email protected].
    Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Employee Benefits Security 
Administration (EBSA), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503, (202) 395-7316 (this is not a toll-free number), 
within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal 
Register.
    The OMB is particularly interested in comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Title: Calculation and Disclosure of Documentation of Eligibility 
for Exemption.
    OMB Number: 1210-0106.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Type of Response: Recordkeeping and Third party disclosure.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Individuals or 
households; and Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 10.
    Number of Annual Responses: 200.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 3 minutes.
    Total Burden Hours: 10 hours.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: $0.
    Total Annual Costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing 
services): $100.
    Description: Under 29 CFR 2590.712(f)(2), a group health plan 
wishing to elect the one percent exemption must calculate their 
increased costs according to certain rules, maintain group health plan 
claims and administrative expense records in such a way that they can 
be used to demonstrate the applicability of the one percent cost 
increase exemption as defined in the interim final rules, and that a 
summary of that information can be provided at the request of 
participants and beneficiaries, or their representative at no charge.
    Group health plans use this information to obtain the benefits of 
the exemption from the requirement that they provide for parity between 
mental health benefits and medical/surgical benefits. Participants and 
beneficiaries use the information to be informed of the benefits 
available to them under their group health plans, and to verify or 
dispute the applicability of the exemption which may serve to limit 
benefits which would otherwise be available to them.

Ira L. Mills,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-24659 Filed 11-3-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-23-P