View Rule

View EO 12866 Meetings Printer-Friendly Version     Download RIN Data in XML

DOL/OWCP RIN: 1240-AA10 Publication ID: Spring 2014 
Title: ●Black Lung Benefits Act: Medical Evidence and Benefit Payments 
Abstract: OWCP is engaging in this rulemaking to address a variety of programmatic issues that have arisen in administering the Black Lung Benefits Act. Among them, the current rules do not address whether the parties must disclose medical evidence they develop in connection with a claim for benefits and generally provide that payment for medical treatment and services is capped at the rate prevailing in the community where the service provider is located but provide no method for determining that rate. To ensure that coal miners have full access to information about their health and to enhance the accuracy of entitlement determinations, this rule would address disclosure of medical evidence. It would also amend rules governing payment of medical treatment and services to incorporate the fee schedule used in other OWCP-administered programs, and address a liable party's responsibility to pay benefits under an effective award while pursuing modification. 
Agency: Department of Labor(DOL)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 20 CFR 725   
Legal Authority: 30 USC 923(b)    30 USC 932(a)    30 USC 936   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  01/00/2015 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined  Government Levels Affected: Undetermined 
Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Michael Chance
Director, Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation
Department of Labor
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room C-3520,
Washington, DC 20210
Phone:800 347-2502
Fax:202 693-1395
Email: chance.michael@dol.gov