Notice2022-02195
Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 3, 2022
Issuing agencies
Labor DepartmentWorkers' Compensation Programs Office
Abstract
Currently, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Disclosure of Medical Evidence. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice. 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 23 (Thursday, February 3, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 23 (Thursday, February 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6203-6204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02195]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request
AGENCY: Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, Office of Workers'
Compensation Programs, Department of Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Currently, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is
soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Disclosure of
Medical Evidence. A copy of the proposed information collection request
can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses
section of this Notice. 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.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
address section below on or before April 4, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by mail, delivery service, or by
hand to Ms. Anjanette Suggs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
Avenue NW, Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210; by fax to (202) 354-9660;
or by Email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2d7e584a4a5e036c43474c43485959486d494241034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a9fadcceceda87e8c7c3c8c7ccddddcce9cdc6c587cec6df">[email protected]</span></a>. Please use only one method of
transmission for comments (mail/delivery, fax or Email). Please note
that comments submitted after the comment period will not be
considered.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Labor, as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a
pre-clearance 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).
I. Background
The Department's regulations implementing the Black Lung Benefits
Act (BLBA), 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq., may require parties to exchange all
medical information about the minter they develop in connection with a
claim for benefits, including information parties do not intent to
submit as evidence in the claim. See 20 CFR 725.413. The rule helps
protect a miner's health, assist unrepresented parties, and promote
accurate benefit determinations.
The potential parties to a BLBA claim include the benefits
claimant, the responsible coal mine operator and its insurance carrier,
and the Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP).
Under this rule, a party of a party's agent who receives medical
information about the minter must send a copy to all other parties
within 30 days after receipt or, if a hearing before an administrative
law judge has already been scheduled, at least 20 days before the
hearing. The exchanged information is entered into the record of the
claim only if a party submits it into evidence.
The Department's authority to engage in information collection is
specified in BLBA sections 413(b), 422(2) and 426(a). see 30 U.S.C.
923(b), 932(a) and 936(a). This information collection is currently
approved for use through July 31, 2022.
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
[[Page 6204]]
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 approval for the extension of this
currently-approved information collection. The collection is necessary
to give miners full access to information about their health, assist
unrepresented claimants, and reach accurate benefit determinations
under the BLBA.
Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
Type of Review: Extension.
Title: Disclosure of Medical Evidence.
OMB Number: 1240-0054.
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Total Respondents: 6,105.
Total Annual Responses: 6,105.
Average Time per Response: 10 minutes.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,018 hours.
Frequency: On occasion.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $8,659.
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.
Anjanette Suggs,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs,
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2022-02195 Filed 2-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P
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