OWCP must reimburse beneficiaries for
travel expenses for covered medical treatment. In order to
determine whether amounts requested as travel expenses are
appropriate, OWCP must receive certain data elements, including the
signature of the physician for medical expenses claimed under the
BLBA. Form OWCP-957 is the standard format for the collection of
these data elements. The regulations implementing these three
statutes allow for the collection of information needed to enable
OWCP to determine if reimbursement requests for travel expenses
should be paid.
US Code:
42
USC 7384 Name of Law: Employees Occupational Illness
Compensation Program Act of 2000 (EEOICPA)
US Code: 5 USC
8101 Name of Law: Federal Employees' Compensation Act
(FECA)
US Code: 30
USC 901 Name of Law: Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA)
The increased cost burden is
the result of increased postage prices, inflation of envelopes and
cost of living adjustment for salaries. Since OWCP entered a new
medical bill processing contract in 2020, the per-bill cost
calculation was adjusted by calculating projected billing volumes
with operations cost for the current year. The new contract
encompasses a combination of services and there is not a cost
breakdown for this specific form.
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.