A. Justification
Introduction/Authoring Laws and Regulations
Electronic Records Express (ERE) allows medical providers to request payments and electronically submit disability claimant data to SSA. Both medical providers and other third parties with connections to disability applicants/recipients (ex: teachers and school administrators for child disability applicants) can use this system. The agency collects this information in accordance with Section 20 CFR 404.1512 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Description of Collection
When a new source registers to use the website, the SSA or State agency employee conducts the registration by phone or in person and then keys the information into ERE. After the registration process is complete, the user provides evidence and can request payment for providing evidence through the ERE website.
SSA employees and State agency employees request the information collected through the ERE website. The agency uses the information collected through ERE to make a determination on an Application for Benefits. The respondents are medical providers who evaluate or treat disability claimants or recipients and are ERE users.
NOTE: The actual burden for uploading medical evidence is covered under a separate ICR, OMB No. 0960-0555 (Clearance of Information Collections Conducted by State Disability Determination Services on Behalf of SSA).
Use of Information Technology to Collect the Information
ERE is a web-based program originally developed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) under the aegis of the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA; P.L. 105-277). We collect all information electronically online or by phone.
In accordance with the agency’s Government Paperwork Elimination Act plan, SSA created an Internet version ERE. Based on our data, we estimate approximately 100% of respondents under this OMB number use the electronic version.
Why We Cannot Use Duplicate Information
The nature of the information we are collecting and the manner in which we are collecting it preclude duplication. SSA does not use another collection instrument to obtain similar data.
Minimizing Burden on Small Respondents
This collection may affect small businesses or other small entities if they are medical practices seeking to register for ERE, or to electronically request reimbursement. However, this impact is a positive one, since it will save these small business/entities the longer completion times required by paper-based procedures.
6. Consequence of Not Collecting Information or Collecting it Less Frequently
If we did conduct this information collection, we would have no means of 1) registering medical providers and other users for ERE or 2) allowing medical providers to electronically request reimbursement. Since we only collect the information on an as-needed basis, we cannot collect it less frequently.
There are no technical or legal obstacles to burden reduction.
7. Special Circumstances
There are no special circumstances that would cause SSA to conduct this information collection in a manner inconsistent with 5 CFR 1320.5.
Solicitation of Public Comment and Other Consultations with the Public
The 60-day advance Federal Register Notice published on March 07, 2012, at
77 FR 13681, and we received no public comments. The 30-day FRN published on June 14, 2012, 77 FR 35736. If we receive any comments in response to this Notice, we will forward them to OMB.
We did not consult with the public in the maintenance of these screens.
Payment or Gifts to Respondents
SSA provides no payment or gifts to the respondents, except for the payments due to medical providers for services rendered.
Assurances of Confidentiality
SSA protects and holds confidential the information it collects in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1306, 20 CFR 401 and 402, 5 U.S.C. 552 (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. 552a (Privacy Act of 1974), and OMB Circular No. A-130.
Justification for Sensitive Questions
The information collection does not contain any questions of a sensitive nature.
Estimates of Public Reporting Burden
Collection Instrument |
Number of Respondents |
Frequency of Response |
Average Burden per Response (minutes) |
Estimated Total Annual Burden (hours) |
ERE
|
3,552,176 |
1 |
10 |
592,029 |
The total burden for this ICR is 592,029 hours. This figure represents burden hours, and we did not calculate a separate cost burden.
13. Annual Cost to the Respondents (Other)
This collection does not impose a known cost burden to the respondents.
Annual Cost To Federal Government
The estimated cost to the Federal Government to collect the information is negligible. Because the cost of maintaining the system which collects this information is accounted for within the cost of maintaining all of SSA’s automated systems, it is not possible to calculate the cost associated with just one Internet application.
15. Program Changes or Adjustments to the Information Collection Request
There has been an increase in burden hours. This change occurs because the number of users is much greater than anticipated. We introduced a new process in 2009 that allows medical providers to submit payments to SSA electronically. In 2009, we did not include the number of users that provide evidence but do not request payment. We revised the burden hours to include the submission of evidence as well as the request for payment.
16. Plans for Publication Information Collection Results
SSA will not publish the results of the information collection.
17. Displaying the OMB Approval Expiration Date
SSA is not requesting an exception to the requirement to display the OMB approval expiration date.
Exceptions to Certification Statement
SSA is not requesting an exception to the certification requirements at 5 CFR 1320.9 and related provisions at 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
SSA does not use statistical methods for this information collection.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR |
| Author | Faye |
| Last Modified By | 889123 |
| File Modified | 2012-06-14 |
| File Created | 2012-02-21 |