Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request

Citation86 FR 50909
Record Number2021-19619
Published date13 September 2021
SectionNotices
CourtLabor Department,Workers' Compensation Programs Office
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 174 (Monday, September 13, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 174 (Monday, September 13, 2021)]
                [Notices]
                [Page 50909]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2021-19619]
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                DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
                Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
                Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request
                ACTION: Notice.
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                SUMMARY: 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). 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: Authorization for Release of Medical Information (CM-936).
                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 November 12, 2021.
                ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by mail, delivery service, or by
                hand to Ms. Anjanette Suggs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
                Ave. NW, Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210; by fax (202) 354-9660; or
                by Email to [email protected]. 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:
                 I. Background
                 The Black Lung Benefits Act, as amended, 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq., and
                20 CFR 725.405 require that all relevant medical evidence be considered
                before a decision can be made regarding a claimant's eligibility for
                benefits. By signing the CM-936 form, the claimant authorizes
                physicians, hospitals, medical facilities or organizations, and the
                National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to release
                medical information about the miner to the Department of Labor's Office
                of Workers' Compensation Programs. The form contains information
                required by medical institutions and private physicians to enable them
                to release pertinent medical information. This information collection
                is currently approved for use through February 28, 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
                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 in order to obtain claimant
                consent for the release of medical information for consideration by the
                Office of Workers' Compensation Programs in their claim for benefits.
                Failure to gather this information would inhibit the adjudication of
                black lung claims because pertinent medical data would not be available
                for consideration during the processing of the claim.
                 Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
                 Type of Review: Renewal.
                 Title: Authorization for Release of Medical Information.
                 OMB Number: 1240-0034.
                 Agency Number: CM-936.
                 Affected Public: Individuals or households.
                 Total Respondents: 5,000.
                 Total Annual Responses: 5,000.
                 Average Time per Response: 5 minutes.
                 Estimated Total Burden Hours: 417 hours.
                 Frequency: On occasion.
                 Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
                 Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $5,300.00.
                 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. 2021-19619 Filed 9-10-21; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P
                

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