Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request (Reconsideration of Denied Claims)

AGENCY:

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

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 information needed to identify areas for improvement in clinical training programs.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before August 22, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through the 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: Brian.McCarthy4@va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0600” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brian McCarthy at (202) 461-6345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from 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.

Titles: Reconsideration of Denied Claims.

This request does not include a form. This informal process only requires submission of a written request for reconsideration denial of healthcare benefits.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0600.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Abstracts: Provisions for this data collection are included in 38 CFR 17.133. This informal process provides for submission of a written request for reconsideration denial of healthcare benefits. The request contains the reason the claimant believes the decision is erroneous and allows submission of new and relevant information. This process reduces both formal appeals and allows decision making to be more responsive to Veterans using the VA healthcare system.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 50,826 burden hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 30 minutes per response.

Frequency of Response: Annually.

Estimated Annual Responses: 101,652 respondents.