97-16156. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 119 (Friday, June 20, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 33689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16156]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 periodic 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: Evidence of Coverage 
Under a Group Health Plan; OMB 3220-0189. Under Section 7(d) of the 
Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) 
administers the Medicare program for individuals covered by the 
railroad retirement system. Under sections 1837(i) and 1839(b) of the 
Social Security Act, qualified railroad retirement beneficiaries 
applying for Medicare (Part B) may be entitled to a Special Enrollment 
Period (SEP), and/or premium surcharge relief because of coverage under 
an Employer Group Health Plan (EGHP). The provisions relating to SEP 
and premium surcharge relief for Medicare benefits are found in 
Sections 1837(i) and 1839(b) of the Social Security Act and in 
regulations 42 CFR 407.20, 407.25 and 408.24.
    In order for the RRB to determine entitlement to a SEP and/or 
premium surcharge relief because of coverage under an EGHP, it needs to 
obtain information regarding the claimant's EGHP coverage, if any. The 
RRB utilizes Form RL-311-F, Evidence of Coverage Under An Employer 
Group Health Plan, to obtain the necessary information from railroad 
employers. Completion is voluntary. One response is requested for each 
RRB inquiry.
    The RRB proposes a minor editorial change to Form RL-311-F to 
incorporate language required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 
No other changes are proposed. The completion time for the RL-311-F is 
estimated at 10 minutes per response. The RRB estimates that 
approximately 1,000 responses are received 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 
[phone]. 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.
Chuch Mierzwa,
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-16156 Filed 6-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-M