Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Application for Extended Care Services
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Veterans Health Administration wants to check if veterans can get help with long-term care using a special form. They think it takes a lot of time to fill out, and they want people to give them feedback about this until May 19, 2025.
Summary AI
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to submit a request for information collection concerning the Application for Extended Care Services (VA Form 10-10EC) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This form helps assess if veterans qualify for long-term care services and their co-payment requirements. Comments on this collection can be submitted until May 19, 2025, through the specified website. The VA estimates 2,000 respondents, with each spending approximately 90 minutes annually on the form, totaling an estimated annual burden of 3,000 hours.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden, and it includes the actual data collection instrument.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register concerns a forthcoming submission by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This submission pertains to an Application for Extended Care Services (VA Form 10-10EC), which is crucial for evaluating veterans' eligibility for long-term care services and their potential copayment responsibilities.
General Summary
The Veterans Health Administration is prepared to request approval for information collection through a specific form designed to gather financial data from veterans. This data helps determine the level of copayment required for those seeking long-term care services. The VHA estimates that about 2,000 veterans will complete the form annually, with an expected completion time of around 90 minutes per person. Collectively, this will amount to an estimated annual burden of 3,000 hours. The public is invited to comment on the proposal until May 19, 2025, via a designated online platform.
Significant Issues and Concerns
There are several notable concerns regarding this document:
Complex Language: The document employs formal and intricate language, particularly in sections referencing U.S. Code and eligibility procedures. This may pose comprehension challenges for those without a legal or governmental background.
Time Requirement: The estimated 90-minute burden for each respondent is significant. This may be particularly burdensome for veterans who may have difficulty accessing or compiling the necessary financial documents.
Lack of Assistance Details: Despite acknowledging the burden, the document does not discuss methods for simplifying the process or providing assistance, such as guidance materials or help centers, which could ease the completion process for respondents.
Communication and Outreach: The document lacks detail on outreach strategies to ensure veterans are informed of this process and understand the potential impact and benefits of participating timely.
Feedback Transparency: While it mentions an earlier comment period, the document does not offer insights into the feedback received or any adjustments made in response. This lack of transparency misses an opportunity to bolster public trust in the process.
Broader Public Impact
For the general public, particularly veterans, this proposal underscores the ongoing adaptation and management of veteran care services. The focus on gathering detailed financial information highlights the VA's commitment to aligning care with veterans' needs based on their financial situations. However, the procedural complexity and potential time burden could hinder access and deter engagement from some veterans.
Impact on Stakeholders
Veterans are the primary stakeholders affected by this document. It offers a structured means of assessing financial needs and establishing care priorities among different groups. Individuals from lower-priority groups have the opportunity to be reassessed based on income, potentially improving their access to extended care benefits.
On the downside, the time-consuming nature of the form could disadvantage veterans who face barriers in completing it, such as those lacking technological resources or facing cognitive or physical limitations.
In conclusion, while the document aims to improve the assessment and allocation of extended care services for veterans, the success of its implementation will heavily depend on addressing the identified issues, ensuring transparency, and providing adequate support and communication to facilitate veteran participation.
Issues
• The document's language is formal and complex, which might be difficult for laypersons to understand, particularly sections describing U.S. Code references and eligibility procedures.
• The estimated average burden of 90 minutes per respondent seems high and could be burdensome for individuals, particularly for those who may not have easy access to the required financial documentation.
• The document does not specify any mechanisms for simplifying or assisting with the information collection process for respondents, such as availability of help or guidance, which could be an area for improvement.
• There is no mention of specific outreach or communication plans to ensure that the affected public, i.e., Veterans, are aware of the importance of timely responses and the potential benefits of the program.
• While the notice mentions a prior 60-day comment period, there is no detailed summary of any feedback received from the public or stakeholders, nor how it might have been taken into account, which could provide more transparency.