The ART is a secure web-based system that captures feedback on and authorizations related to TRICARE benefits. Personal health and personally identifiable information entered into ART is voluntarily provided by individuals via a verbal or written exchange and is only collected to facilitate case resolution, capture medical authorization determinations, and approve line of duty care and care under the Transitional Care for Service-related Conditions benefit. Respondents include individuals who have TRICARE-related questions or issues.
The respondent burden has increased since the previous approval due to an increase in responses.
The labor cost of respondent burden has increased since the previous approval due to an increase in the respondent hourly wage ($7.25 to $27.07). Instead of using the Federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, we used the mean hourly wage for all occupations as listed on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
Although there was a decrease in the hourly wage of workers ($52.66 to $18.51), there was an increase in the labor cost to the federal government. This was due to the increase in the number of responses (174,385 to 222,195). To calculate the hourly wage of workers, we used the mean hourly wage for Customer Service Representatives as listed on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website. This figure is more in line with the hourly wage of the users of the system.
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.