[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48532-48533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22609]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation; Proposed Extension 
of Existing Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: 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. 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.

DATES: Written comments must be received by December 18, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by mail, delivery service, or by 
hand to Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Ave. NW., Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210; by fax to (202) 354-9647; 
or by Email to [email protected]. Please use only one method of 
transmission for comments (mail/delivery, fax, or Email). Please note 
that comments submitted after the comment period will not be 
considered.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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).
    I. Background: The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs 
administers the Federal Black Lung Workers' Compensation Program. The 
Black Lung Benefits Act (30 U.S.C. 901, et seq.) and its implementing 
regulations necessitate this information collection. The regulations at 
20 CFR 725.701 et seq., establish miner eligibility for medical 
services and supplies for the length of time required by the miner's 
pneumoconiosis and related disability. 20 CFR 725.706 requires 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 form is the CM-893, Certificate of Medical Necessity 
(CMN). The CM-893, Certificate of Medical Necessity is completed by the 
coal miner's doctor and is used by the Division of Coal Mine Workers' 
Compensation to determine if the miner meets impairment standards to 
qualify for durable medical equipment and home nursing. This 
information collection is currently approved for use through February 
28, 2018.
    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

[[Page 48533]]

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: Revision.
    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: 1,500.
    Total Annual Responses: 1,500.
    Average Time per Response: 23 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 563.
    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: October 3, 2017.
Yoon Ferguson,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2017-22609 Filed 10-17-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P