[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 241 (Monday, December 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 76066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29643]


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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD


Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding 
an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to 
request an extension without change of a currently approved collection 
of information: 3220-0082, Medicare. Our ICR describes the information 
we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by OIRA ensures 
that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens.
    The RRB invites comments on the proposed collection of information 
to determine (1) the practical utility of the collection; (2) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden of the collection; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility and clarity of the information that is the subject 
of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on 
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments to RRB or OIRA must 
contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of 
your comments, it is best if RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days 
of publication date.
    Under Section 7(d) of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), the 
Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers the Medicare program for 
persons covered by the railroad retirement system. The RRB uses Form 
AA-6, Employee Application for Medicare; Form AA-7, Spouse/Divorced 
Spouse Application For Medicare; and Form AA-8, Widow/Widower 
Application for Medicare; to obtain the information needed to determine 
whether individuals who have not yet filed for benefits under the RRA 
are qualified for Medicare payments provided under Title XVIII of the 
Social Security Act.
    Further, in order for the RRB to determine if a qualified railroad 
retirement beneficiary who is claiming supplementary medical insurance 
coverage under Medicare is entitled to a Special Enrollment Period 
(SEP) and/or premium surcharge relief because of coverage under an 
Employer Group Health Plan (EGHP), it needs to obtain information 
regarding the claimant's EGHP coverage, if any. The RRB uses Form RL-
311-F, Evidence of Coverage Under an Employer Group Health Plan, to 
obtain the basic information needed by the RRB to establish EGHP 
coverage for a qualified railroad retirement beneficiary. Completion of 
the forms is required to obtain a benefit. One response is requested of 
each respondent.
    Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the 
initial 60-day notice (73 FR 34965 and 34966 on June 19, 2008) required 
by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

    Title: Medicare.
    OMB Control Number: OMB 3220-0082.
    Form(s) submitted: AA-6, AA-7, AA-8, RL-311-F.
    Expiration date of current OMB clearance: 12/31/2008.
    Type of request: Revision of a currently approved collection of 
information.
    Affected public: Individuals or households; Business-or-other for 
profit.
    Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board administers the Medicare 
program for persons covered by the railroad retirement system. The 
forms in the collection obtain information needed to enroll non-retired 
employees and survivor applicants in the plan and also obtain 
information from railroad employers needed to determine if a railroad 
retirement beneficiary is entitled to a special enrollment period when 
applying for supplemental medical coverage under Medicare.
    Changes Proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Forms AA-6, AA-7 
and AA-8. Form RL-311-F is being revised to add an item which asks if 
the employee is still working. This information is being added to 
clarify the employment status of the employee and is need to determine 
the Special Enrollment Period.
    The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
    The estimated annual respondent burden is as follows:

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                                                                 Annual
                        Form number                             responses        Time  (min)      Burden  hours
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AA-6......................................................               180                 8                24
AA-7......................................................                50                 8                 7
AA-8......................................................                10                 8                 1
RL-311-F..................................................               800                10               133
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
    Total.................................................             1,040  ................               165
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    Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the form and 
supporting documents can be obtained from Charles Mierzwa, the agency 
clearance officer at (312-751-3363) or [email protected].
    Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed 
to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, 
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or [email protected] and to the OMB 
Desk Officer for the RRB, at the Office of Management and Budget, Room 
10230, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

Charles Mierzwa,
Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-29643 Filed 12-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P