[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 208 (Wednesday, October 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 57745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28805]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of renewal--VA/IRS/SSA Match Program.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a, the Privacy Act of 1974, as 
amended, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines on 
the Conduct on Matching programs, notice is hereby given of the conduct 
of an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) computer match. Previous matches 
with the IRS verified the self-reported income data of nonservice-
connected veterans. The proposed expanded match encompasses those 
categories of veterans who are zero percent service-connected (non-
compensable) receiving treatment for their nonservice-connected 
condition. Expanded veterans records included to conform to Pub. L. 
104-262, Veterans Health Care Amendments Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The notice will be effective 30 days after publication 
in the Federal Register, (November 27, 1998), unless comments dictate 
otherwise.

ADDRESSES: Comments or inquiries may be mailed to the Chief Information 
Office, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20420.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Janice E. Wheeler, Program Analyst, Health Eligibility Center Policy 
Division, Office of the Chief Information Officer, (202) 273-6276.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has 
a statutory obligation (see 38 U.S.C.) to collect income information 
from certain veterans applying for medical care and to utilize that 
income data to determine the appropriate eligibility category for the 
applicant's medical care. Pub. L. 104-262 (Veterans Health Care 
Eligibility Reform Act of 1996) requires zero percent non-compensable, 
service-connected veterans seen for their nonservice-connected 
condition(s) complete a ``Means Test.'' The purpose of completing the 
Means Test is to determine if the veteran's income level allows VA to 
provide cost-free care for their nonservice-connected conditions. Pub. 
L. 101-508 (Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1990) authorizes VHA to 
verify income data reported by nonservice-connected medical care 
applicants.
    The goal of these matches is to validate social security numbers 
and to obtain IRS/SSA earnings data needed for the income verification 
process. For the information of all concerned, a summary report of the 
VHA matching program describing the computer matches follows. The VA 
records involved in the match are patient medical records maintained in 
the ``Patient Medical Record, VA 24VA136.'' The IRS records are from 
the Wage and Information Returns (IRP) Master File, Privacy Act System 
TreasIRS 22.061. The SSA records are from the Earnings Recording and 
Self-Employment Income system, SSA/OSR 09-0-059. In accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552a(o)(2), copies of the computer matching report are being 
sent to both Houses of Congress. These matches are expected to commence 
no sooner than 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, (November 27, 1998), or 40 days after copies of this notice 
and the agreement are submitted to Congress and the Office of 
Management and Budget.
    This renewal of the original matching agreement expires on December 
31, 1999. It may be extended by the involved Data Integrity Boards 
(DIB) for a twelve month period provided all agencies involved certify 
to the DIBs, within three months of the termination date of the 
original match, that the matching program will be conducted without 
change and the matching programs have been conducted in compliance with 
the original matching agreement. The matches will not continue past the 
legislative authorized date to obtain this information.
Togo D. West, Jr.,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-28805 Filed 10-27-98; 8:45 am]
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