National Practitioner Data Bank: Change in User Fees
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Issuing agencies
Abstract
HRSA, a sub-agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, is announcing a change in user fees charged to individuals and entities authorized to request information from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). The new fee will be $2.50 for both continuous and one-time queries and $3.00 for self-queries. In addition, as self-query results are now digitally certified, the NPDB will no longer automatically provide a mailed paper copy of self-query results. If self-queriers would like paper copies mailed to them, there will be an additional $3.00 charge per copy. The change in NPDB user fees is intended to encourage electronic processing while both ensuring sufficient funding to the full cost of NPDB operations and retaining appropriate cash reserves. The cash reserves are used to mitigate risks, cover operational costs should revenue decrease, and cover the cost of reasonable enhancement and maintenance of the NPDB management system. HRSA operational standards require review of NPDB user fees every 2 years. The biennial review of NPDB user fees offers HRSA the opportunity to evaluate its reserves as well as revenue relative to costs. Further, the review provides essential information on whether the fee rates and authorized activities are aligned with actual program costs and activities, and can help promote greater understanding of the fee by NPDB users.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 137 (Wednesday, July 21, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 21, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38491-38492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15514]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Resources and Services Administration
National Practitioner Data Bank: Change in User Fees
AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department
of Health and Human Services.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: HRSA, a sub-agency of the Department of Health and Human
Services, is announcing a change in user fees charged to individuals
and entities authorized to request information from the National
Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). The new fee will be $2.50 for both
continuous and one-time queries and $3.00 for self-queries. In
addition, as self-query results are now digitally certified, the NPDB
will no longer automatically provide a mailed paper copy of self-query
results. If self-queriers would like paper copies mailed to them, there
will be an additional $3.00 charge per copy. The change in NPDB user
fees is intended to encourage electronic processing while both ensuring
sufficient funding to the full cost of NPDB operations and retaining
appropriate cash reserves. The cash reserves are used to mitigate
risks, cover operational costs should revenue decrease, and cover the
cost of reasonable enhancement and maintenance of the NPDB management
system. HRSA operational standards require review of NPDB user fees
every 2 years. The biennial review of NPDB user fees offers HRSA the
opportunity to evaluate its reserves as well as revenue relative to
costs. Further, the review provides essential information on whether
the fee rates and authorized activities are aligned with actual program
costs and activities, and can help promote greater understanding of the
fee by NPDB users.
DATES: This change will be effective October 1, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Loewenstein, Director, Division
of Practitioner Data Bank, Bureau of Health Workforce, HRSA, (301) 443-
2300, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0c425c484e5c6360656f754c647e7f6d226b637a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a3edf3e7e1f3cccfcac0dae3cbd1d0c28dc4ccd5">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The current fee structure ($2.00/continuous
query enrollment, $2.00/one-time query, and $4.00/self-query) was
announced in the Federal Register on July 20, 2016 (81 FR 47173), and
became effective on October 1, 2016. One-time queries, continuous query
enrollments, and self-queries are submitted and query responses are
received through the NPDB's secure website. Fees are paid via
electronic funds transfer, debit card, or credit card.
The NPDB is authorized by the Health Care Quality Improvement Act
of 1986 (the Act), Title IV of Public Law 99-660, as amended (42 U.S.C.
11101 et seq.). Further, two additional statutes expanded the scope of
the NPDB--Section 1921 of the Social Security Act, as amended (42
U.S.C. 1396r-2) and Section 1128E of the Social Security Act, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7e). Information collected under the Section
1128E authority was consolidated within the NPDB pursuant to Section
6403 of the Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148; this consolidation
became effective on May 6, 2013.
42 U.S.C. 11137(b)(4), 42 U.S.C. 1396r-2(e), and 42 U.S.C. 1320a-
7e(d) authorize the establishment of fees for the costs of processing
requests for disclosure of such information. Final regulations at 45
CFR part 60 set forth the criteria and procedures for information to be
reported to and disclosed by the NPDB. In determining any changes in
the amount of user fees, the Department uses the criteria set forth in
section 60.19(b) of the regulations. Section 60.19(b) states:
``The amount of each fee will be determined based on the following
criteria:
(1) Direct and indirect personnel costs, including salaries and
fringe benefits such as medical insurance and retirement,
(2) Physical overhead, consulting, and other indirect costs
(including materials and supplies, utilities, insurance, travel, and
rent and depreciation on land, buildings, and equipment),
[[Page 38492]]
(3) Agency management and supervisory costs,
(4) Costs of enforcement, research, and establishment of
regulations and guidance,
(5) Use of electronic data processing equipment to collect and
maintain information--the actual cost of the service, including
computer search time, runs and printouts, and
(6) Any other direct or indirect costs related to the provision of
services.''
The Department will continue to review the user fees periodically
as required by Office of Management and Budget Circular Number A-25 and
will revise fees as necessary. Any future changes in user fees and
their effective dates will be announced in the Federal Register.
Diana Espinosa,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021-15514 Filed 7-20-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P
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