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###### Department of Labor

###### Employment Standards Administration

# ACTION:

Notice.

# SUMMARY:

                        The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the Information Collection: Provider Enrollment Form (OWCP-                              ( print page 29722)                            1168). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the                         **ADDRESSES**                         section of this Notice.                    

# DATES:

                        Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the                         **ADDRESSES**                         section below on or before August 24, 2009.                    

# ADDRESSES:

                        Mr. Steven D. Lawrence, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 693-0292, fax (202) 693-1451, e-mail                         *Lawrence.Steven@dol.gov.*                         Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or e-mail).                    

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## I. Background

                    The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is the agency responsible for administration of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), 5 U.S.C. 8101*et seq.,*                     the Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA), 30 U.S.C. 901*et seq.,*                     and the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (EEOICPA), 42 U.S.C. 7384*et seq.*                     These statutes require OWCP to pay for appropriate medical and vocational rehabilitation services provided to beneficiaries. In order for OWCP's billing contractor to pay providers of these services with its automated bill processing system, providers must “enroll” with one or more of the OWCP programs that administer the statutes by submitting certain profile information, including identifying information, tax I.D. information, and whether they possess specialty or sub-specialty training. Form OWCP-1168 is used to obtain this information from each provider.                

If this information is not obtained before the provider submits his or her first bill for payment, the bill payment process is substantially prolonged and increases the burden on providers. This information collection is currently approved for use through January 31, 2010.

## II. Review Focus

*The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:*

* Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

* Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

* Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and

                    * Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology,                     *e.g.,*                     permitting electronic submissions of responses.                

## III. Current Actions

The Department of Labor seeks the approval of the extension of this information collection in order to carry out a wide range of automated bill “edits”, such as the identification of duplicate billings, the application of pertinent fee schedules, utilization review, and fraud and abuse detection. The profile information is also used to furnish detailed reports to providers on the status of previously submitted bills.

*Type of Review:*                     Extension.                

*Agency:*                     Employment Standards Administration.                

*Title:*                     Provider Enrollment Form (OWCP-1168).                

*OMB Number:*                     1215-0137.                

*Agency Numbers:*                     OWCP-1168.                

*Affected Public:*                     Business or other for-profit.                

*Total Respondents:*                     70,185.                

*Total Annual Responses:*                     70,185.                

*Estimated Total Burden Hours:*                     9,335.                

*Estimated Time per Response:*                     8 minutes.                

*Frequency:*                     On occasion.                

*Total Burden Cost (Capital/Startup):*                     $0.                

*Total Burden Cost (Operating/Maintenance):*                     $32,987.                

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: June 18, 2009.

Steven D. Lawrence,

Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.

[FR Doc. E9-14666 Filed 6-22-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-CH-P