[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 215 (Monday, November 6, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66498-66499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28316]


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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

20 CFR Part 335

RIN 3220-AB44


Sickness Benefits

AGENCY: Railroad Retirement Board.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Railroad Retirement Board (Board) hereby amends its 
regulations under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) to 
permit a ``nurse practitioner'' to execute a statement of sickness in 
support of payments of sickness benefits under the RUIA. The Board does 
not currently accept statements executed by a nurse practitioner, which 
in some cases may delay payment of benefits.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule is effective November 6, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Secretary to the Board, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North 
Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael C. Litt, General Attorney, 
(312) 751-4929, TDD (312) 751-4701.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 335.2(a)(2) of the Board's 
regulations provides that in order to be entitled to sickness benefits 
under the RUIA, a claimant must provide a ``statement of sickness''. 
Section 335.3(a) of this part lists the individuals from whom the Board 
will accept a statement of sickness. That list does not currently 
include nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners offer health care to 
people throughout the United States. Their

[[Page 66499]]

practice emphasizes health promotion and maintenance, disease 
prevention, and the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic 
diseases. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced 
education and clinical expertise that qualifies them to diagnose and 
treat illnesses and injuries. Under current regulations, the Board does 
not accept a statement of sickness or supplemental statement of 
sickness from a nurse practitioner. A claimant who submits a statement 
of sickness signed by a nurse practitioner is informed that the 
statement may not be accepted and is required to get a new one signed 
by an individual listed in Sec. 335.3(a). This is administratively 
costly and delays the payment of sickness benefits. Thus, the Board is 
adding ``nurse practitioner'' to the list of individuals from whom it 
will accept a statement of sickness.
    The Board published this rule as a proposed rule on May 5, 2000 (65 
FR 26161), and invited comments by July 5, 2000. No comments were 
received.
    The Board, with the concurrence of the Office of Management and 
Budget, has determined that this is not a significant regulatory action 
for purposes of Executive Order 12866. Therefore, no regulatory 
analysis is required. The information collections contemplated by this 
part have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 
control number 3220-0039.

List of Subjects in 20 CFR Part 335

    Railroad employees, Railroad unemployment insurance, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Railroad Retirement 
Board amends title 20, chapter II of the Code of Federal Regulations as 
follows:

PART 335--SICKNESS BENEFITS

    1. The authority citation for part 335 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 45 U.S.C. 362(i) and 362(l).

    2. Section 335.3(a) is amended as follows:
    (a) remove ``or'' at the end of paragraph (a)(9),
    (b) remove the period and add ``; or'' at the end of paragraph 
(a)(10), and
    (c) add a new paragraph (a)(11) to read as follows:


Sec. 335.3  Execution of statement of sickness and supplemental 
doctor's statement.

    (a) * * *
    (11) A nurse practitioner.
* * * * *

    Dated: October 27, 2000.

    By Authority of the Board,
Beatrice Ezerski,
For the Board, Secretary to the Board.
[FR Doc. 00-28316 Filed 11-3-00; 8:45 am]
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