Overview
Title
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Defense Health Agency wants to know what people think about a new form for healthcare called TRICARE Plus, which asks for basic info to see if someone can join. They hope to make filling out the form easier and need ideas on how to do it.
Summary AI
The Defense Health Agency, under the Department of Defense, is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection related to the TRICARE Plus Enrollment/Disenrollment Application. This collection is necessary to help identify eligible beneficiaries for the TRICARE Plus Health Plan and requires interested individuals to provide some basic information. The agency is inviting feedback on the necessity and impact of this information collection, aiming to streamline the process and lessen the respondents' burden. Comments will be considered until April 30, 2021, and should be submitted electronically.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Defense Health Agency announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Federal Register document in question outlines a proposed information collection by the Defense Health Agency, a segment of the Department of Defense. This proposal is part of efforts to manage the TRICARE Plus Enrollment/Disenrollment Application, which is essential for identifying eligible beneficiaries for the TRICARE Plus Health Plan. Given the context of compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the agency is seeking public comments on various aspects of this information collection effort.
Summary of the Document
The Defense Health Agency is requesting comments from the public regarding the necessity and utility of collecting information through the TRICARE Plus Enrollment and Disenrollment Application forms. These forms help in determining the eligibility of individuals for TRICARE Plus, a health plan offered by the department. The proposal indicates that there are 3,305 expected respondents, with an average time commitment of 7 minutes per response, amounting to an estimated annual burden of 386 hours.
Issues and Concerns
Upon reviewing the document, several concerns become evident:
Understanding "Burden": The document claims there is an annual burden of 386 hours, yet it lacks a detailed explanation of what constitutes this burden. Without clear information about the tasks or processes included, it becomes challenging to assess the accuracy of this estimate.
Access to Comment Process: Comments on the proposal can only be submitted electronically. This approach potentially excludes individuals without internet access, raising questions about equitable participation.
Eligibility Criteria for TRICARE Plus: The specific criteria used to determine beneficiary eligibility for TRICARE Plus are not detailed in the document. This lack of clarity may lead to misunderstandings among potential beneficiaries about their qualifications for the plan.
Financial Implications: The proposal does not discuss the possible financial impacts or costs for both respondents and the agency, which might be crucial for assessing the overall significance of the proposed collection.
Explanation of Time Estimate: The document states an average burden of 7 minutes per respondent but does not sufficiently break down the activities this time estimate covers. A clearer understanding could help in evaluating the burden on individuals.
Automated Collection Techniques: While it mentions using automated techniques to minimize burden, it fails to provide specifics on what these might entail or how they would be implemented.
Public Impact
For the general public, particularly individuals who might be eligible for TRICARE Plus, this document represents an opportunity to engage with and influence the processes affecting their healthcare options. However, the lack of detailed information may limit the ability of these individuals to submit informed comments, hindering meaningful participation.
Impact on Stakeholders
For the Department of Defense and the Defense Health Agency, gathering public comments is an essential step toward refining and potentially improving the processes involved in managing TRICARE Plus applications. On the other hand, stakeholders such as potential enrollees, especially those lacking easy internet access or clear guidance on eligibility, might find themselves facing barriers to participation and enrollment in the plan. This outcome underscores the importance of addressing the identified issues to ensure accessibility and fairness in the proposed information collection process.
Issues
• The document does not provide detailed information on what constitutes the 'burden' for respondents, making it unclear why the estimated annual burden is 386 hours.
• The method of submitting comments solely via electronic means may exclude individuals without internet access from participating, raising concerns about equitable access to the comment process.
• The specific criteria for determining 'beneficiary eligibility' for TRICARE Plus are not detailed, which could lead to ambiguity in understanding who qualifies for enrollment.
• There is no discussion of potential financial implications or costs associated with the proposed collection, which could be important for assessing its overall impact.
• The 'average burden per response' is stated as 7 minutes, but there is no explanation or breakdown of what activities comprise this time estimate.
• The document mentions 'automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology' to minimize burden, but does not specify what these techniques are or how they will be implemented.