[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56890-56891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-23044]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0872]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Expanded Access to Non-Va 
Care Through the MISSION Program: Establishing a Process for 
Certification, Discontinuance, and Disputes for Veterans Care 
Agreements (VCAs)

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 extension 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 December 23, 2019.

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. 2900-0872'' 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: Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.
    Title: Expanded Access to Non-Va Care Through the MISSION Program: 
Establishing a Process for Certification, Discontinuance, and Disputes 
for Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0872.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Section 102 of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and 
Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 2018 (Pub. 
L. 115-182) authorizes VA to enter into Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs) 
to furnish required care and services when such care and services are 
not feasibly available to certain individuals through a VA facility, a 
contract, or a sharing agreement. VA seeks to establish a new 
collection to implement three requirements under section 102 of the 
MISSION Act:
    a. Certification: Eligible entities and providers will be required 
to submit to VA information concerning relevant credentials, licenses, 
and other information as requested by VA to evaluate eligibility for 
certification. The information to be collected is authorized by 38 
U.S.C. 1703A(c).
    b. Discontinuation: Eligible entities and providers would be 
required to submit to VA a written notice of intent to discontinue a 
Veterans Care Agreement prior to the date of such discontinuation. The 
information to be collected is authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1703A(f)(1).
    c. Disputes: Eligible entities and providers would be required to 
submit to VA written notices of dispute that contain specific 
information to allow VA to assess and resolve the matter in dispute. 
The information to be collected is authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1703A(h).

Certification

    Affected Public: Private Sector.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,263 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 5 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Once annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 15,152.

Discontinuation

    Affected Public: Private Sector.

[[Page 56891]]

    Estimated Annual Burden: 25 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 10 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Once annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 152.

Disputes

    Affected Public: Private Sector.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 268 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 20 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Once annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 803.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Danny S. Green,
Interim VA Clearance Officer, Office of Quality, Performance and Risk 
(OQPR), Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2019-23044 Filed 10-22-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P