[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1934-1935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-490]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0606]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is announcing an 
opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain 
information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 
1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal 
Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including 
each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 
days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits 
comments on the information needed to collect or recover cost for 
medical care or services provided or furnished to a veteran by VA for 
non-service-connected conditions.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before March 14, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Ann Bickoff, Veterans Health Administration (193E1), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-
mail [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-
0606'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Bickoff at (202) 273-8310.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C., 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Regulation for Submission of Evidence--Title 38 CFR 
17.1C1(a)(2).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0606.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Under the provisions of 38 CFR, Sec.  17.101(a)(4) a 
third party payer is liable for reimbursing VA for care and services VA 
provided to a veteran with non-service-connected conditions continues 
to have the option of paying either the billed charges or the amount 
the health plan demonstrates it would pay to providers other than 
entities of the United States for the same care or services in the same 
geographic area. If the amount submitted for payment is less than the 
amount billed, VA will

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accept the submission as payment, subject to verification at VA's 
discretion. VA may request the third-party payer to submit evidence or 
information to substantiate the appropriateness of the payment amount 
(e.g., health plan policies, provider agreements, medical evidence, and 
proof of payment to other providers demonstrating the amount paid for 
the same care and services VA provided). The information is needed to 
determine whether the third-party payer has met the test of properly 
demonstrated its equivalent private sector provider payment amount for 
the same care or services and within the same geographic area as 
provided by VA.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Individuals or 
households, not for profit institutions, farms, and State, local or 
tribal government.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 800 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 2 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 400.

    By direction of the Secretary.

    Dated: December 29, 2004.
Jacqueline Parks,
IT Specialist, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. 05-490 Filed 1-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P