Federal Register: November 6, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 215)
DOCID: FR Doc 00-28316
RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD
Railroad Retirement Board
CFR Citation: 20 CFR Part 335
RIN ID: RIN 3220-AB44
NOTICE: RULES
ACTION: Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Sickness Benefits
EFFECTIVE DATES: This final rule is effective November 6, 2000.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The Railroad Retirement Board (Board) hereby amends its regulations under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) to permit a ``nurse practitioner'' to execute a statement of sickness in support of payments of sickness benefits under the RUIA. The Board does not currently accept statements executed by a nurse practitioner, which in some cases may delay payment of benefits.
SUMMARY:
Sickness benefits; execution of statement of sickness by nurse practitioner,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Section 335.2(a)(2) of the Board's
regulations provides that in order to be entitled to sickness benefits
under the RUIA, a claimant must provide a ``statement of sickness''.
Section 335.3(a) of this part lists the individuals from whom the Board
will accept a statement of sickness. That list does not currently
include nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners offer health care to people throughout the United States. Their
[[Page 66499]]
practice emphasizes health promotion and maintenance, disease
prevention, and the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic
diseases. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced
education and clinical expertise that qualifies them to diagnose and
treat illnesses and injuries. Under current regulations, the Board does
not accept a statement of sickness or supplemental statement of
sickness from a nurse practitioner. A claimant who submits a statement
of sickness signed by a nurse practitioner is informed that the
statement may not be accepted and is required to get a new one signed
by an individual listed in Sec. 335.3(a). This is administratively
costly and delays the payment of sickness benefits. Thus, the Board is
adding ``nurse practitioner'' to the list of individuals from whom it will accept a statement of sickness.
The Board published this rule as a proposed rule on May 5, 2000 (65 FR 26161), and invited comments by July 5, 2000. No comments were received.
The Board, with the concurrence of the Office of Management and Budget, has determined that this is not a significant regulatory action for purposes of Executive Order 12866. Therefore, no regulatory analysis is required. The information collections contemplated by this part have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 32200039.
List of Subjects in 20 CFR Part 335
Railroad employees, Railroad unemployment insurance, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Railroad Retirement Board amends title 20, chapter II of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:
PART 335SICKNESS BENEFITS
1. The authority citation for part 335 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 45 U.S.C. 362(i) and 362(l).
2. Section 335.3(a) is amended as follows:
(a) remove ``or'' at the end of paragraph (a)(9),
(b) remove the period and add ``; or'' at the end of paragraph (a)(10), and
(c) add a new paragraph (a)(11) to read as follows:
Sec. 335.3 Execution of statement of sickness and supplemental doctor's statement.
(a) * * *
(11) A nurse practitioner.
* * * * *
Dated: October 27, 2000.
By Authority of the Board,
Beatrice Ezerski,
For the Board, Secretary to the Board.
[FR Doc. 0028316 Filed 11300; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 790501P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Michael C. Litt, General Attorney, (312) 7514929, TDD (312) 7514701.