Proposed Collection; Comment Request

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

Proposed Collection; Comment Request

SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506 (c)(2)(A)

of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for

public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad

Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of proposed data

collections.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information

collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of

the agency, including whether the information has practical utility;

(b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden of the collection

of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and

clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize

the burden related to the collection of information on respondents,

including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of

information technology.

Title and purpose of information collection: Evidence of Coverage

Under a Group Health Plan; OMB 3220-0189. Under Section 7(d) of the

Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

administers the Medicare program for individuals covered by the

railroad retirement system. Under sections 1837(i) and 1839(b) of the

Social Security Act, qualified railroad retirement beneficiaries

applying for Medicare (Part B) may be entitled to a Special Enrollment

Period (SEP), and/or premium surcharge relief because of coverage under

an Employer Group Health Plan (EGHP). The provisions relating to SEP

and premium surcharge relief for Medicare benefits are found in

Sections 1837(i) and 1839(b) of the Social Security Act and in

regulations 42 CFR 407.20, 407.25 and 408.24.

In order for the RRB to determine entitlement to a SEP and/or

premium surcharge relief because of coverage under an EGHP, it needs to

obtain information regarding the claimant's EGHP coverage, if any. The

RRB utilizes Form RL-311-F, Evidence of Coverage Under An Employer

Group Health Plan, to obtain the necessary information from railroad

employers. Completion is voluntary. One response is requested for each

RRB inquiry.

The RRB proposes a minor editorial change to Form RL-311-F to

incorporate language required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

No other changes are proposed. The completion time for the RL-311-F is

estimated at 10 minutes per response. The RRB estimates that

approximately 1,000 responses are received annually.

Additional Information or Comments: To request more information or

to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms,

and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at

(312) 751-3363. Comments regarding the information collection should be

addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North

Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092. Written comments should be

received within 60 days of this notice.

Chuch Mierzwa,

Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 97-16156 Filed 6-19-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7905-01-M