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.

[[Page 13242]]

Title and Purpose of Information Collection

Application for Reimbursement for Hospital Insurance Services in

Canada; OMB 3220-0086.

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

administers the Medicare program for persons covered by the railroad

retirement system. Payments are provided under section 7(d)(4) of the

RRA for medical services furnished in Canada to the same extent as for

those furnished in the United States. However, payments for the

services furnished in Canada are made from the Railroad Retirement

Account rather than from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund,

with the payment limited to the amount by which insurance benefits

under Medicare exceed the amounts payable under Canadian Provincial

plans.

Form AA-104, Application for Canadian Hospital Benefits Under

Medicare--Part A, is provided by the RRB for use in claiming benefits

for covered hospital services received in Canada. The form obtains

information needed to determine eligibility for, and the amount of any

reimbursement due the applicant. One response is requested of each

respondent. Completion is required to obtain a benefit. No changes are

proposed to Form AA-104.

Number of respondents: 35.

Estimated Completion Time: 10 minutes.

Estimated annual burden hours: 6.

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 N. Rush

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

received within 60 days of this notice.

Chuck Mierzwa,

Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-6493 Filed 3-16-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7905-01-M