[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29721-29722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14666]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Extension of the Approval of 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 the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval of the Information Collection: Provider 
Enrollment Form (OWCP-

[[Page 29722]]

1168). 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 24, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Mr. Steven D. Lawrence, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0292, 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 (OWCP) is the agency 
responsible for administration of the Federal Employees' Compensation 
Act (FECA), 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq., the Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA), 
30 U.S.C. 901 et seq., and the Energy Employees Occupational Illness 
Compensation Program Act of 2000 (EEOICPA), 42 U.S.C. 7384 et seq. 
These statutes require OWCP to pay for appropriate medical and 
vocational rehabilitation services provided to beneficiaries. In order 
for OWCP's billing contractor to pay providers of these services with 
its automated bill processing system, providers must ``enroll'' with 
one or more of the OWCP programs that administer the statutes by 
submitting certain profile information, including identifying 
information, tax I.D. information, and whether they possess specialty 
or sub-specialty training. Form OWCP-1168 is used to obtain this 
information from each provider.
    If this information is not obtained before the provider submits his 
or her first bill for payment, the bill payment process is 
substantially prolonged and increases the burden on providers. This 
information collection is currently approved for use through January 
31, 2010.

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 of the extension of this 
information collection in order to carry out a wide range of automated 
bill ``edits'', such as the identification of duplicate billings, the 
application of pertinent fee schedules, utilization review, and fraud 
and abuse detection. The profile information is also used to furnish 
detailed reports to providers on the status of previously submitted 
bills.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Provider Enrollment Form (OWCP-1168).
    OMB Number: 1215-0137.
    Agency Numbers: OWCP-1168.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 70,185.
    Total Annual Responses: 70,185.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 9,335.
    Estimated Time per Response: 8 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (Capital/Startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (Operating/Maintenance): $32,987.
    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: June 18, 2009.
Steven D. Lawrence,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, 
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration 
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-14666 Filed 6-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CH-P