2016-15988. Proposed Information Collection (Beneficiary Travel Mileage Reimbursement Application Form, VA Form 10-3542)

Activity: Comment Request

AGENCY:

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), 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. This notice solicits comments on the VHA Beneficiary Travel (BT) program, which provides mileage reimbursement to qualified Veterans or other claimant(s) who incur expense in traveling to healthcare.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before September 6, 2016.

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, Veterans Health Administration (10B4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420 or email: [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0798” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through the FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brian McCarthy at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), 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: Beneficiary Travel Mileage Reimbursement Application Form.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0798.

Type of Review: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.

Abstract: The information collection is for beneficiaries to apply for the BT mileage reimbursement benefit. VHA determines the identity of the claimant, the dates and length of the trip being claimed based on addresses of starting and ending points, and whether expenses other than mileage are being claimed. The claimant is required to sign the form. The form is used only when the claimant chooses not to apply verbally and is provided for their convenience. Once the information is obtained it is entered into a software program that calculates the mileage and resulting reimbursement.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 580,000 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 3 minutes.

Frequency of Response: 8 per year.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,450,000.

By direction of the Secretary.

Kathleen M. Manwell,

Program Analyst, VA Privacy Service, Office of Privacy and Records Management, Department of Veterans Affairs.