We are revising the collection instrument, Form SSA-604, to raise the age of affected children from age 22 to age 26 per direction from the Office of Personnel Managment based on the enactment of the Affordable Care Act.
Rules governing the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plan state that for federal employees' children ages 22 or over to retain health benefits, they must be incapable of self-support due to a disability that 1) pre-dated the child's 22nd birthday, 2) is serious, and 3) will last at least a year. Form SSA-604, the Certificate of Incapacity, is used by physicians to document and certify such a disability for their patients who are children of federal employees. The respondents are these physicians.
This is a non-substantive change request.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.