03-25331. Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information necessary for VA to fill prescriptions written by non-VA physicians.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before December 8, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to Ann Bickoff, Veterans Health Administration (193B1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0646” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ann Bickoff at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-21), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, VHA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Title: Medication Prescribed by Non-VA Physicians; VA Transitional Pharmacy Benefit, VA Form 10-0411.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0646.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: Under existing law and regulations, a veteran desiring medical care from VA must enroll in VA's health care system. When a veteran first enrolls in the VA system, and requests an appointment for care, VA schedules an appointment for a visit with a primary care physician. The primary care physician generally learns from the veteran what medication the veteran is taking, if any, assesses the need for the medication and writes prescriptions for any needed medication. Those prescriptions written by the VA physician are filled by a VA pharmacy. In recent years, there has been an increased in the enrollment of veterans into the health care system to obtain pharmacy benefits at no cost or at a reasonable cost. With the dramatically increased enrollment, VA has been unable to provide all enrolled veterans with health care services in a timely manner. Many of those veterans have prescriptions, written by non-VA physicians, that VA primary care physicians may subsequently confirm and renew when the veterans are able to have initial primary care visits. In an effort to ease financial burden on enrolled veterans currently waiting lengthy periods of time for their initial primary care visits, VA will provide these veterans with medication prior to their initial primary care visits at VA if these veterans present valid prescriptions from the non-VA physicians. VA will fill prescriptions written by non-VA physicians only for a period of time such veterans are awaiting a scheduled appointment with a VA health care provider. VA Form 10-0411, VA Transitional Pharmacy Benefit will be used to collect the data necessary to safely administer these medications.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 30,287 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 10 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One-time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 363,446.

Estimated Total Annual Responses: 181,723.

Dated: September 25, 2003.

By direction of the Secretary.

Jacqueline Parks,

IT Specialist, Records Management Service.