SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This ICR seeks approval under the PRA for revisions to the Certificate of Medical Necessity information collection. A coal miner's physician completes a Certification of Medical Necessity (Form CM-893) that the OWCP uses to determine whether the miner meets impairment standards to qualify for durable medical equipment, home nursing, and/or pulmonary rehabilitation. The Black Lung Benefits Act authorizes this information collection. See30 U.S.C. 922.

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. See5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection under Control Number 1240-0024. The DOL notes that existing information collection requirements submitted to the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review. New requirements would only take effect upon OMB approval. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on October 18, 2017 (82 FR 48532).

Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section within thirty (30) days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register . In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1240-0024. The OMB 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.

Title of Collection: Certificate of Medical Necessity.

OMB Control Number: 1240-0024.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,500.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 1,500.

Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 563 hours.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).

83 FR 12412