80 FR 38749 - Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 129 (July 7, 2015)

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) [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: Provider Enrollment Form (OWCP-1168). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38749-38750]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16579]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice

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

SUMMARY: 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) [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: Provider Enrollment Form 
(OWCP-1168). 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 September 8, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave. NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone/fax 
(202) 354-9647, Email [email protected]. Please use only one method 
of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    I. Background: 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. These statutes require OWCP to pay for appropriate 
medical and vocational rehabilitation services provided to 
beneficiaries. In order for OWCP's billing contractor to pay providers 
of these services with its automated bill processing system, providers 
must ``enroll'' with one or more of the OWCP programs that administer 
the statutes by

[[Page 38750]]

submitting certain profile information, including identifying 
information, tax I.D. information, and whether they possess specialty 
or sub-specialty training. Form OWCP-1168 is used to obtain this 
information from each provider. This information collection is 
currently approved for use through January 31, 2016.
    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 of 
the extension of this currently approved information collection in 
order to carry out a wide range of automated bill ``edits'', such as 
the identification of duplicate billings, the application of pertinent 
fee schedules, utilization review, and fraud and abuse detection. The 
profile information is also used to furnish detailed reports to 
providers on the status of previously submitted bills.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Title: Provider Enrollment Form.
    OMB Number: 1240-0021.
    Agency Number: OWCP-1168.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 31,979.
    Total Responses: 31,979.
    Time per Response: 8 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,252.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $16,629.
    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: July, 1 2015.
Yoon Ferguson,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs,US 
Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2015-16579 Filed 7-6-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CR-P