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

Report of Medicaid State Office on Beneficiary's Buy-In Status; OMB

3220-0185

Under Section 7(d) of the Railroad Retirement Act, the RRB

administers the Medicare program for persons covered by the railroad

retirement system. Under Section 1843 of the Social Security Act,

states may enter into ``buy-in agreements'' with the Secretary of

Health and Human Services for the purpose of enrolling certain groups

of needy people under the Medicare medical insurance (Part B) program

and paying the premiums for their insurance coverage. Generally, these

individuals are categorically needy under Medicaid and meet the

eligibility requirements for Medicare Part B. States can also include

in their buy-in agreements, individuals who are eligible for medical

assistance only. The RRB uses Form RL-380-F, Report to State Medicaid

Office, to obtain information needed to determine if certain railroad

beneficiaries are

[[Page 18945]]

entitled to receive Supplementary Medical Insurance program coverage

under a state buy-in agreement in states in which they reside.

Completion of Form RL-380-F is voluntary. One response is received from

each respondent.

RRB Form RL-380-F is being revised to include language required by

the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Minor editorial changes are also

being proposed. The completion time for Form RL-380-F is estimated at

10 minutes per response. The RRB estimates that approximately 600

responses are received annually.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.

Chuck Mierzwa,

Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 98-10106 Filed 4-15-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7905-01-M