2018-02221. Agency Information Collection Activity: VSO Access to VHA Electronic Health Records

AGENCY:

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

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

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before April 6, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to Brian McCarthy, Office of Regulatory and Administrative Affairs (10B4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0710” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brian McCarthy at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995, 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.

Authority: 38 U.S.C. Parts 51 and 52.

Title: VSO Access to VHA Electronic Health Records, VA Form 10-0400.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0710.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The information is being used to establish VA Veterans Health Information Systems Technology Architecture (VistA) computer accounts for Veteran Service Officers (VSO's) who have been granted Power Of Attorney by veterans who have medical information recorded in VA electronic health records. This information is collected under the authority of Title 38, CFR parts 51 and 52, Veterans Benefits.

The information will be used by VHA Office of Health Information Governance and/or contractors to create accounts in the VistA computer system for VSO's. The information collected is used for a national roll-out of a project targeted at providing more efficient benefits processing services to veterans. The VistA system requires a minimal set of data to create an account, which has been reflected on the form. After the initial roll-out, the burden to the government will be minimal, only involving VSO staff turnover.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 17 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 2 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Yearly.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 500.

By direction of the Secretary.

Cynthia Harvey-Pryor,

Department Clearance Officer, Office of Quality, Privacy and Risk, Department of Veterans Affairs.