01-17262. Proposed Collections; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, DoD.

ACTION:

Notice.

In accordance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs announces the proposed reinstatement of a public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES:

Consideration will be given to all comments received September 10, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations on the information collection should be sent to TRICARE Management Activity—Aurora, Office of Program Requirement, 16401 E. Centretech Parkway, ATTN: Graham Kolb, Aurora, CO 80011-9043.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request more information on this proposed information collection, please write to the above address or call TRICARE Management Activity, Office of Program Requirements at [phone].

Title Associated With Form, and OMB Number: Health Insurance Claim Form, UB92, OMB Number 0720-0013.

Needs and Uses: This information collection requirement is necessary for a medical institution to claim benefits under the Defense Health Program, TRICARE, which includes the Civilian Health and Medical Program for the Uniform Services (CHAMPUS). The information collected will be used by TRICARE/CHAMPUS to determine beneficiary eligibility, other health insurance liability, certification that the beneficiary received the care, and that the provider is authorized to receive TRICARE/CHAMPUS payments. The form will be used by TRICARE/CHAMPUS and it's contractors to determine the amount of benefits to be paid to TRICARE/CHAMPUS institutional providers.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; not-for-profit institutions.

Annual Burden Hours: 525,000.

Numbers of Respondents: 2,100,000 annually.

Responses Per Respondent: 1.

Average Burden Per Response: 15 minutes.

Frequency: On occasion.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Summary of Information Collection

This collection instrument is for use by medical institutions filing for reimbursement with the Defense Health Program, TRICARE, which includes the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (TRICARE/CHAMPUS). TRICARE/CHAMPUS is a health benefits entitlement program for the dependents of active duty members of the Uniformed Service, and deceased sponsors, retirees and their dependents, dependents of Department of Transportation (Coast Guard) sponsors, and certain North Atlantic Treaty Organization, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Public Health Service eligible beneficiaries. Use of the UB-92 (also known as the HCFA 1450) continues TRICARE/CHAMPUS commitments to use the national standard claim form for reimbursement of medical services/supplies provided by institutional providers.

Dated: June 28, 2001.

Patricia L. Toppings,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.