[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 170 (Friday, August 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44696-44697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18916]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0620]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Payment or Reimbursement 
for Emergency Services for Nonservice-Connected Conditions in Non-
Department Facilities

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed 
collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish 
notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of 
information, including each proposed reinstatement of a currently 
approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response 
to the notice. DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the 
proposed collection of information should be received on or before 
October 30, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Brian McCarthy, Office of Regulatory and Administrative Affairs 
(10B4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20420 or email to [email protected]. Please refer 
to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0620'' in any correspondence. During the 
comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian McCarthy at (202) 615-9241.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must 
obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each 
collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for 
comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1725.
    Title: Payment or Reimbursement for Emergency Services for 
Nonservice-Connected Conditions in Non-Department Facilities, 38 U.S.C. 
1725.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0620.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 authorizes VA to provide hospital 
care, medical services, domiciliary care and nursing home care to 
eligible veterans. Public Law 106-117 ``The Veterans Millennium Health 
Care and Benefits Act'' amended 38 U.S.C. by adding Sec.  1725 
establishing reimbursement authority for an individual who is an active 
Department health-care participant who is personally liable for 
emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility provided 
that the veteran is (1) enrolled in the VA health care system as 
established under Sec.  1705(a) of this title and (2) the veteran is 
personally liable for emergency treatment furnished the veteran in a 
non-Department facility and (3) the veteran does not have coverage 
under a health-plan contract that would fully extinguish the medical 
liability for the emergency treatment and (4) the veteran has no other 
contractual or legal recourse against a third party that would 
extinguish such liability to the provider and (5) the veteran is not 
eligible for reimbursement for medical care or services under Sec.  
1728 of this title. Further, PL 106-117 directs VA to delineate the 
circumstances under which such payments may be made, to include such 
requirements on requesting reimbursement as the Secretary shall 
establish. Subject to this,

[[Page 44697]]

the Secretary may only provide reimbursement after the veteran or the 
provider of emergency treatment has exhausted without success all 
claims and remedies reasonably available to the veteran or provider 
against a third party for payment of such treatment.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 158,704 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 15 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 634,816.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Cynthia D. Harvey-Pryor,
Department Clearance Officer, Office of Quality, Privacy and Risk, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2018-18916 Filed 8-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P