[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 25, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30141-30142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-2639]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed collection: Certificate of Medical 
Necessity (CM-893). A copy of the proposed information collection 
request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the 
addresses section of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before July 25, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW. Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0418, fax (202) 693-1451, Email [email protected]. Please 
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs administers the 
Federal Black Lung Workers' Compensation Program. The enabling 
regulations of the Black

[[Page 30142]]

Lung Benefits Act, at 20 CFR 725.701, establishes miner eligibility for 
medical services and supplies for the length of time required by the 
miner's condition and disability. 20 CFR.706 stipulates there must be 
prior approval before ordering an apparatus where the purchase price 
exceeds $300.00. 20 CFR 725.707 provides for the ongoing supervision of 
the miner's medical care, including the necessity, character and 
sufficiency of care to be furnished; gives the authority to request 
medical reports and indicates the right to refuse payment for failing 
to submit any report required. Because of the above legislation and 
regulations, it was necessary to devise a form to collect the required 
information. The CM-893, Certificate of Medical Necessity is completed 
by the coal miner's doctor and is used by the Division of Coal Mine 
Worker's Compensation to determine if the miner meets impairment 
standards to qualify for durable medical equipment, home nursing, and/
or pulmonary rehabilitation. This information collection is currently 
approved for use through November 30, 2005.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor 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 submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

    The Department of Labor seeks the extension of approval to collect 
this information in order to carry out its responsibility to determine 
the eligibility for reimbursement of medical benefits to Black Lung 
recipients.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Certificate of Medical Necessity.
    OMB Number: 1215-0113.
    Agency Number: CM-893.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for 
profit, Not-for-profit institutions.
    Total Respondents: 4,000.
    Total Annual responses: 4,000.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,567.
    Time Per Response: 20 to 40 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: May 19, 2005.
Bruce Bohanon,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of 
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and 
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. E5-2639 Filed 5-24-05; 8:45 am]
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