[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 31890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12336]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Extension of the Approval Information Collection 
Requirements

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 its proposal to extend OMB approval of the 
information 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 August 4, 2008.

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, e-mail [email protected]. Please 
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or e-
mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    I. Background: The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs 
administers the Federal Black Lung Workers' Compensation Program. The 
enabling regulations of the Black 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 December 31, 2008.
    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 approval 
for the extension of this currently approved information collection in 
order to carry out its responsibility to determine the eligibility for 
reimbursement of medical benefits to Black Lung recipients.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    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: 3,200.
    Total Annual Responses: 3,200.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,253.
    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 29, 2008.
Hazel M. Bell,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of 
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and 
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
 [FR Doc. E8-12336 Filed 6-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P