Notice2024-18456
National Practitioner Data Bank: Change in User Fee for Self-Query Mailed Paper Copies
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 19, 2024
Effective
October 1, 2024
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services DepartmentHealth Resources and Services Administration
Abstract
HRSA is announcing a change in user fees charged to individuals requesting a supplemental mailed paper copy of their National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) self-query results. The supplemental fee will increase from $3.00 to $13.00 per mailed paper copy as these copies will be provided using U.S. Postal Service certified mail. The user fees for one-time query, continuous, and digitally certified self-query results will remain unchanged.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 160 (Monday, August 19, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67094-67095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18456]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Resources and Services Administration
National Practitioner Data Bank: Change in User Fee for Self-
Query Mailed Paper Copies
AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department
of Health and Human Services.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: HRSA is announcing a change in user fees charged to
individuals requesting a supplemental mailed paper copy of their
National Practitioner Data
[[Page 67095]]
Bank (NPDB) self-query results. The supplemental fee will increase from
$3.00 to $13.00 per mailed paper copy as these copies will be provided
using U.S. Postal Service certified mail. The user fees for one-time
query, continuous, and digitally certified self-query results will
remain unchanged.
DATES: The fee increase for mailed paper self-query results will be
effective October 1, 2024.
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#6c223c282e3c0300050f152c041e1f0d420b031a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="135d435751437c7f7a706a537b6160723d747c65">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The current fee structure ($2.50/continuous
query enrollment, $2.50/one-time query, and $3.00/self-query and an
additional $3.00/requested mailed paper copy) was announced in the
Federal Register on July 21, 2021, (86 FR 38491) and became effective
on October 1, 2021. 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 user fees for one-time query, continuous, and digitally
certified self-query results will remain unchanged. Upon requesting a
self-query, practitioners receive a digitally certified response which
they can save and provide to requesting entities electronically.
Digitally certified self-queries are delivered in an unalterable PDF
within minutes of the request being placed. Practitioners can save
their certified response file digitally and provide it to requesting
entities directly. The security of a digitally certified response
provides assurance that the response is exactly as it was issued by the
NPDB. However, if needed, practitioners may also request a mailed paper
copy of their self-query results. To protect sensitive information in
self-query responses, the mailed results will now be delivered through
U.S. Postal Service certified mail with receipt confirmation. Since the
NPDB is required to cover all its costs with user fees, increased fee
for mailed paper self-query results will offset the certified mail
expense.
HRSA operational standards require review of NPDB user fees at
least 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.
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), and42 U.S.C. 1320a-7e(d) authorize the establishment of
fees for the costs of processing requests for disclosure of such
information. Final regulations at45 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),
(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.
Carole Johnson,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024-18456 Filed 8-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P
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