Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: June 27, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 124)]

[Notices]

[Page 43359]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr27jn02-125]

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

Proposed Collection; Comment Request

SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will publish summaries of proposed data collections.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden of the collection of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Title and purpose of information collection:

Medicare; OMB 3220-0082

Under Section 7(d) of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers the Medicare program for persons covered by the railroad retirement system. The RRB uses Form AA-6, Employee Application for Medicare; Form AA-7, Spouse/Divorced Spouse Application for Medicare; and Form AA-8, Widow/Widower Application for Medicare; to obtain the information needed to determine whether individuals who have not yet filedfor benefits under the RRA are qualified for Medicare payments provided under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act.

Further, in order for RRB to determine if a qualified railroad retirement beneficiary who is claiming supplementary medical insurance coverage under Medicare is entitled to a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) and/or premium surcharge relief because of coverage under an Employer Group Health Plan (EGHP), is needs to obtain information regarding the claimant's EGHP coverage, if any. The RRB uses Form RL- 311-F, Evidence of Coverage Under An Employer Group Health Plan, to obtain the basic information needed by the RRB to establish EGHP coverage for a qualified railroad retirement beneficiary. Completion of the forms is required to obtain a benefit. One response is requested of each respondent.

The RRB proposes revisions to Forms AA-6, AA-7 and AA-8 to incorporate a new item needed to determine eligibility due to the 5- year vesting provision under the Railroad Retirement and Income Security Act of 2001. No changes were proposed to Form RL-311-F. The RRB estimates that 180 Form AA-6's, 50 Form AA-7's, and 10 Form AA-8's are completed annually. The completion time for Forms AA-6, AA-7 and AA-8 is estimated at 8 minutes. The completion time for Form RL-311-F is estimated at 10 minutes. The RRB estimates that 800 RL-311-F's are completed annually.

Additional Information or Comments: To request more information or to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at (312) 751-3363. Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Chuck Mierzwa, Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 02-16179Filed6-26-02; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7095-01-M