80 FR 61851 - Submission for Review: Federal Annuitant Benefits Survey

OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 198 (October 14, 2015)

The Office of Planning and Policy Analysis, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on a new information collection request (ICR) 3206-NEW, the Federal Annuitant Benefits Survey (FABS). As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104- 106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection. The information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on 06/10/ 2015 at Volume. 80, No. 111 allowing for a 60-day public comment period. OPM received comments from one Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) carrier trade association. The comments requested that: (1) OPM more closely replicate the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) when administering the FABS; (2) OPM add specific topics to the FABS that are currently part of CAHPS if FABS results will be used as part of OPM's Plan Performance Assessment and Service Fee Calculations; (3) OPM consider alternatives to an online only survey administration. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 198 (Wednesday, October 14, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61851-61852]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26098]


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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT


Submission for Review: Federal Annuitant Benefits Survey

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: 30-Day Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Planning and Policy Analysis, Office of 
Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other Federal 
agencies the opportunity to comment on a new information collection 
request (ICR) 3206-NEW, the Federal Annuitant Benefits Survey (FABS). 
As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 
U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104-
106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection. The information 
collection was previously published in the Federal Register on 06/10/
2015 at Volume. 80, No. 111 allowing for a 60-day public comment 
period. OPM received comments from one Federal Employees Health 
Benefits (FEHB) carrier trade association. The comments requested that: 
(1) OPM more closely replicate the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare 
Providers and Systems (CAHPS) when administering the FABS; (2) OPM add 
specific topics to the FABS that are currently part of CAHPS if FABS 
results will be used as part of OPM's Plan Performance Assessment and 
Service Fee Calculations; (3) OPM consider alternatives to an online 
only survey administration. The purpose of this notice is to allow an 
additional 30 days for public comments.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until November 13, 
2015. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.1.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Planning and 
Policy

[[Page 61852]]

Analysis, Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E. Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20415, Attention: Cristin Kane or sent via electronic 
mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this ICR, with applicable 
supporting documentation, may be obtained by contacting the Office of 
Planning and Policy Analysis, Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E. 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415, Attention: Cristin Kane or sent via 
electronic mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget is 
particularly interested in comments that:
    1. 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;
    2. 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;
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    4. 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.
    Overview: In the past, the Office of Personnel Management 
contracted with a vendor to administer the Consumer Assessment of 
Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey to a sample of both 
active Federal employees and retirees. CAHPS surveys ask consumers and 
patients to report on and evaluate their experiences with their health 
care.
    Since the CAHPS survey instrument is designed for the active 
population, it will no longer be administered to retirees. However, 
annuitant feedback about their health plan experience is an essential 
part of successful benefit administration for the Federal Employees 
Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. As a result, the Federal Annuitant 
Benefits Survey is designed to assess annuitant satisfaction with their 
health plan's benefits and services.
    Analysis:
    Agency: Planning and Policy Analysis, Office of Personnel 
Management
    Title: Federal Annuitant Benefits Survey
    OMB Number: 3260-NEW
    Frequency: Annually
    Affected Public: Federal Retirees
    Number of Respondents: Unknown at this time, as survey will be 
administered via ``open participation.'' No firm sample size exists; 
however, target completion is between 200 and 1,000 surveys.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 20 minutes
    Total Burden Hours: Dependent on final participation numbers.

    U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Beth F. Cobert,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-26098 Filed 10-13-15; 8:45 am]
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