Reimbursement for Caskets and Urns for Burial of Unclaimed Remains in a National Cemetery or a VA-Funded State or Tribal Veterans' Cemetery, 885 [2019-00379]

Download as PDF amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 21 / Thursday, January 31, 2019 / Notices • HSR2—Behavioral, Social, and Cultural Determinants of Health and Care on March 7–8, 2019; • HSR3—Healthcare Informatics on March 5, 2019; • HSR4—Mental and Behavioral Health on March 7–8, 2019; • HSR5—Health Care System Organization and Delivery on March 7, 2019; • HSR6—Long-Term Care, Aging and Support Services on March 5, 2019; • HSR7—Opioid and Pain Management Special Emphasis on March 6, 2019; • HSR9—Learning Health Care System Initiative on March 8, 2019; • MRA0—Mentored Research on March 5–6, 2019; • HS8A—Randomized Program Evaluations on March 7–8, 2019; • HQ6, HQ7, HQ8—QUERI on March 7–8, 2019; • HSRN1—Innovation (Access, LTSS) on March 5, 2019 at 1100 1st St. NE, Washington, DC 20002; • HSRN2—Innovation (Suicide Prevention, Non-Opioid Pain) on March 6, 2019 The purpose of the Board is to review health services research and development applications involving: The measurement and evaluation of health care services; the testing of new methods of health care delivery and management; and mentored research. 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During the closed portion of each subcommittee VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:21 Jan 30, 2019 Jkt 247001 meeting, discussion and recommendations will include qualifications of the personnel conducting the studies (the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy), as well as research information (the premature disclosure of which would likely compromise significantly the implementation of proposed agency action regarding such research projects). As provided by subsection 10(d) of Public Law 92–463, as amended by Public Law 94–409, closing the meeting is in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(6) and (9)(B). No oral or written comments will be accepted from the public for either portion of the meetings. Those who plan to participate during the open portion of a subcommittee meeting should contact Ms. Shannon Jordan, SMRB Program Manager, Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research and Development Service (10P9H), 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, or by email at Shannon.Jordan2@ va.gov. For further information, please call Ms. Jordan at (202) 443–5744. Dated: January 28, 2019. LaTonya L. Small, Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2019–00426 Filed 1–30–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8320–01–P DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Reimbursement for Caskets and Urns for Burial of Unclaimed Remains in a National Cemetery or a VA-Funded State or Tribal Veterans’ Cemetery Department of Veterans Affairs. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is updating the monetary reimbursement rates for caskets and urns purchased for the interment in a VA national cemetery or a VA-funded state or tribal veterans’ cemetery of Veterans who die with no known next of kin and where there are insufficient resources for furnishing a burial container. The purpose of this notice is to notify interested parties of the rates that will apply to reimbursement claims that occur during calendar year (CY) 2019. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kang, Program Analyst, National PO 00000 Frm 00240 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 Jane 885 Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 461–6216 (this is not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 2306(f) of title 38, U.S.C., authorizes VA National Cemetery Administration (NCA) to furnish a casket or urn for interment in a VA national cemetery or a VA-funded state or tribal veterans’ cemetery of the unclaimed remains of Veterans for whom VA cannot identify a next of kin and determines that sufficient financial resources for the furnishing of a casket or urn for burial are not available. VA implemented regulations to administer this authority as a reimbursement benefit in section 38.628 of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations. Reimbursement for a claim received in any CY will not exceed the average cost of a 20-gauge metal casket or a durable plastic urn during the fiscal year (FY) preceding the CY of the claim. Average costs are determined by market analysis for 20-gauge metal caskets, designed to contain human remains, with a gasketed seal, and external rails or handles. The same analysis is completed for durable plastic urns, designed to contain human remains, which include a secure closure to contain the cremated remains. Using this method of computation, in FY 2018, the average costs for caskets were determined to be $2,681 for caskets and $162 for urns. Accordingly, the maximum reimbursement rates payable for qualifying interments occurring during CY 2019 are $2,681 for caskets and $162 for urns. Signing Authority The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Robert L. Wilkie, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this document on January 2, 2019, for publication. Dated: January 2, 2019. Jeffrey M. Martin, Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs. [FR Doc. 2019–00379 Filed 1–30–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8320–01–P E:\FR\FM\31JAN1.SGM 31JAN1

Agencies

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 21 (Thursday, January 31, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-00379]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Reimbursement for Caskets and Urns for Burial of Unclaimed 
Remains in a National Cemetery or a VA-Funded State or Tribal Veterans' 
Cemetery

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is updating the 
monetary reimbursement rates for caskets and urns purchased for the 
interment in a VA national cemetery or a VA-funded state or tribal 
veterans' cemetery of Veterans who die with no known next of kin and 
where there are insufficient resources for furnishing a burial 
container. The purpose of this notice is to notify interested parties 
of the rates that will apply to reimbursement claims that occur during 
calendar year (CY) 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Kang, Program Analyst, National 
Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 461-6216 (this is not 
a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 2306(f) of title 38, U.S.C., 
authorizes VA National Cemetery Administration (NCA) to furnish a 
casket or urn for interment in a VA national cemetery or a VA-funded 
state or tribal veterans' cemetery of the unclaimed remains of Veterans 
for whom VA cannot identify a next of kin and determines that 
sufficient financial resources for the furnishing of a casket or urn 
for burial are not available. VA implemented regulations to administer 
this authority as a reimbursement benefit in section 38.628 of title 
38, Code of Federal Regulations.
    Reimbursement for a claim received in any CY will not exceed the 
average cost of a 20-gauge metal casket or a durable plastic urn during 
the fiscal year (FY) preceding the CY of the claim. Average costs are 
determined by market analysis for 20-gauge metal caskets, designed to 
contain human remains, with a gasketed seal, and external rails or 
handles. The same analysis is completed for durable plastic urns, 
designed to contain human remains, which include a secure closure to 
contain the cremated remains.
    Using this method of computation, in FY 2018, the average costs for 
caskets were determined to be $2,681 for caskets and $162 for urns. 
Accordingly, the maximum reimbursement rates payable for qualifying 
interments occurring during CY 2019 are $2,681 for caskets and $162 for 
urns.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Robert L. 
Wilkie, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on January 2, 2019, for publication.

    Dated: January 2, 2019.
Jeffrey M. Martin,
Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of 
the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2019-00379 Filed 1-30-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P

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