1240-0034
Authorization for Release of Medical Information (Black Lung Benefits)
August 2015
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Authorization for Release of Medical Information
(Black Lung Benefits)
1240-0034
Justification:
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collections. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and of each regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.
When a person files a claim for black lung benefits, the individual may submit medical information to the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC) to help develop the claim. The CM-936 is a form that gives the claimant's consent for the release of medical information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974, and contains information required by medical institutions and private physicians to enable them to release pertinent medical information. The Black Lung Benefits Act, as amended, 30 USC 901 et. seq. and 20 CFR 725.405 require that all relevant medical evidence be considered before a decision can be made regarding a claimant's eligibility for benefits.
Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.
The CM-936 is used by black lung claimants who wish to submit medical evidence to support their claim. The form provides the claimant's consent for medical institutions and private physicians to release medical information to DCMWC. The form may be completed by the claimant and the claims examiner (CE). If the CE completes the form from information already in the claim file, the claimant must verify and sign the request.
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.
In accordance with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA), the form in this information collection was considered but found to be not practicable for electronic submission. The respondents are retired, disabled coal mine workers and elderly widows. Given the demographics of the customer base, it is unlikely that any significant proportion would have access to the electronic option. It would not be cost effective to make the form electronically interactive for a population that would be unlikely to benefit from such an option. However, the form is available for downloading and mailing on the DCMWC home page at http://www.dol.gov/owcp/regs/compliance/cm-936.pdf.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.
The Federal Black Lung Program has no other medical release form. Other programs have medical release forms; however, they are program-specific for covered occupational illnesses and do not specifically request medical evidence related to the adjudication of black lung claims. There is no similar information available.
5. If the collection information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.
This information does not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.
6. Describe the consequence of Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.
If this form were not used, the adjudication of the black lung claim would be incomplete, because pertinent medical data would not be available for consideration.
7. Explain any special circumstances required in the conduct of this information collection.
There are no special circumstances for this information collection.
If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8 (d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments.
A Federal Register Notice inviting public comment was published on May 18, 2015 (80 FR 28302). The agency received no comments in response to this notice.
9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
No payments or gifts are made to respondents to furnish the information.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulations, or agency policy.
The Privacy Act Issuance (ESA-6 and ESA-30) provides for confidentiality of information collected for a claimant's record.
11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary; the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
This collection contains no questions of a sensitive nature.
12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.
The statement should:
Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not make special surveys to obtain information on which to base burden estimates. Consultation with a sample of potential respondents is desirable. If the burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated burden and explain the reason for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.
There are approximately 900 respondents annually. One form is sent to each respondent, who spends approximately 5 minutes to complete and mail the form. Thus, there is an annual burden of 75 hours (900 X 5 minutes = 4,500 minutes/60 minutes in an hour = 75 hours).
To estimate the annual cost of the burden hours to the CM-936 respondents, the Federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, has been applied. Verification was obtained from http://www.dol.gov/whd/minimumwage.htm. Thus, the total annual cost to CM-936 respondents is $543.75 ($7.25 X 75 burden hours).
Annual Costs to Respondents (capital/start-up & operation and maintenance).
There is no cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of this information.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
The estimated total cost to the Federal Government for the 900 forms is approximately $3,835.00. The cost is computed as follows: (A + B + C)
a. Estimated printing and distribution cost is $40.00.
b. Estimated mailing cost is $936.00 (includes cost of envelope and stamp, and return stamped envelope, at .52 cents per stamped envelope - .49 per stamp plus .03 cents per envelope.) (.52 X 900 = $468.00 X 2 = $936)
c. Estimated processing cost is computed at one claims examiner (GS 12/5) spending approximately 5 minutes reviewing the form. (The OPM FY15 GS Salary Table at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ was used for the hourly wages.)
(900 X 5 minutes = 4,500 minutes/60 minutes in an hour = 75 hours). 75 hours x $38.12 per hour = $2,859.00
Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.
The number of total respondents and burden hours remain unchanged.
Minor changes have been made to CM-936 to provide clearer language so claimants can better understand what information they need to provide.
There has been an enlargement of mailing cost due to postage increase, as well as an increase with the current salary for a claims examiner.
16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.
There are no plans to publish this collection of information.
If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
This ICR does not seek a waiver from the requirement to display the expiration date.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in ROCIS.
There are no exceptions to the certification statement.
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
Statistical methods are not used in these collections of information.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | MEMORANDUM FOR: |
| Author | Department of Labor |
| Last Modified By | Ferguson, Yoon - OWCP |
| File Modified | 2015-08-12 |
| File Created | 2015-08-12 |