[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35932-35933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11625]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Medical Travel Refund Request (OWCP-957)

ACTION: Revision of a previously approved collection.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments 
concerning a proposed extension of the information collection request 
(ICR) titled, ``Medical Travel Request.'' This comment request is part 
of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

DATES: Consideration will be given to all written comments received by 
July 31, 2023.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; 
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free by 
contacting Anjanette Suggs by telephone at (202) 354-9660 (this is not 
a toll-free number) or by email at [email protected].
    Submit written comments about, or requests for a copy of, this ICR 
by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' 
Compensation Program, Room S-3323, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20210; by email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Anjanette Suggs by telephone 
at (202) 354-9660 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOL, as part of continuing efforts to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of 
information before submitting them to the OMB for final approval. This 
program helps to ensure 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 can be properly assessed.
    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. All 
three of these statutes require that OWCP reimburse beneficiaries for 
travel expenses for covered medical treatment. In order to determine 
whether amounts requested as travel expenses are appropriate, OWCP must 
receive certain data elements, including the signature of the physician 
for medical expenses claimed under the BLBA. Form OWCP-957 is the 
standard format for the collection of these data elements. The 
regulations implementing these three statutes allow

[[Page 35933]]

for the collection of information needed to enable OWCP to determine if 
reimbursement requests for travel expenses should be paid. This 
information collection is currently approved for use through June 30, 
2021.
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any 
other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to 
penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that 
does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 
1320.6.
    Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments to the 
contact shown in the ADDRESSES section. Comments must be written to 
receive consideration, and they will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval of the final ICR. In order to help ensure 
appropriate consideration, comments should mention 1240-0037.
    Submitted comments will also be a matter of public record for this 
ICR and posted on the internet, without redaction. The DOL encourages 
commenters not to include personally identifiable information, 
confidential business data, or other sensitive statements/information 
in any comments.
    The DOL is particularly interested in comments that:
     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 submission of responses.
    Agency: DOL-OWCP.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Title of Collection: Medical Travel Refund Request.
    Form: Medical Travel Refund Request (OWCP-957).
    OMB Control Number: 1240-0037.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 37,132.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 356,875.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 53,351.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $1,776,158.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

Anjanette Suggs,
Agency Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-11625 Filed 5-31-23; 8:45 am]
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