[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 30, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 53966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-22122]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Proposed Renewal of Existing 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 pre-clearance 
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 Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed collection: Certification 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 October 31, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Mr. Vincent Alvarez, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0372, fax (202) 693-1447, 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 reports 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 October 31, 2011.
    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.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Title: Certificate of Medical Necessity.
    OMB Number: 1240-0024.
    Agency Number: CM-893.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for 
profit, and not-for-profit institutions.
    Total Respondents: 2,500.
    Total Annual Responses: 2,500.
    Average Time per Response: 20 to 40 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 965.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $1,335.
    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: August 24, 2011.
Vincent Alvarez,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2011-22122 Filed 8-29-11; 8:45 am]
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