[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 23, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48184-48189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18168]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services


Privacy Act of 1974; Report of Modified or Altered System

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (formerly the Health Care Financing 
Administration).

ACTION: Notice of modified or altered System of Records (SOR).

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 
1974, we are proposing to modify or alter an SOR, ``Medicare Supplier 
Identification File (MSIF), System No. 09-70-0530.'' We are deleting 
routine uses number 2 pertaining to a Medicaid state agency or its 
fiscal agent to assist in enforcing Medicare and Medicaid sanctions, 
and number 4 pertaining to contractors. Disclosures previously allowed 
by routine use number 2 pertaining to a Medicaid state agency will now 
be covered by proposed routine use number 5. Disclosures previously 
allowed by routine use number 4 pertaining to contractors will now be 
covered by proposed routine use

[[Page 48185]]

number 1. We propose to add routine use number 4 and 5 to combat fraud 
and abuse in certain health benefits programs.
    The security classification previously reported as ``None'' will be 
modified to reflect that the data in this system is considered to be 
``Level Three Privacy Act Sensitive.'' We are modifying the language in 
the remaining routine uses to provide clarity to CMS' intention to 
disclose individual-specific information contained in this system. The 
routine uses will then be prioritized and reordered according to their 
proposed usage. We will also take the opportunity to update any 
sections of the system that were affected by the recent reorganization 
and to update language in the administrative sections to correspond 
with language used in other CMS SORs.
    The primary purpose of this system is to identify supplier 
businesses that eligible to receive Medicare payments for items and 
services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries as well as owners, 
managing employees, and subcontractors in those suppliers. The system 
will facilitate the identification of business owners who have been 
sanctioned by the Office of Inspector General and/or have questionable 
business practices within the Medicare program. The carriers will be 
able to review questionable claims before payment that has been found 
to be more effective than post-payment reviews. Information retrieved 
from this SOR will also be disclosed to: support regulatory, 
reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the Agency or by a 
contractor or consultant, support constituent requests made to a 
congressional representative, support litigation involving the Agency, 
and combat fraud and abuse in certain health benefits programs. We have 
provided background information about the modified system in the 
``Supplementary Information'' section below. Although the Privacy Act 
requires only that CMS provide an opportunity for interested persons to 
comment on the modified routine uses, CMS invites comments on all 
portions of this notice. See EFFECTIVE DATES section for comment 
period.

EFFECTIVE DATES: CMS filed a modified or altered system report with the 
Chair of the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, the 
Chair of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, and the 
Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) on June 24, 2002. To ensure that all 
parties have adequate time in which to comment, the modified or altered 
SOR, including routine uses, will become effective 40 days from the 
publication of the notice, or from the date it was submitted to OMB and 
the Congress, whichever is later, unless CMS receives comments that 
require alterations to this notice.

ADDRESSES: The public should address comments to: Director, Division of 
Data Liaison and Distribution (DDLD), CMS, Room N2-04-27, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850. Comments received will be 
available for review at this location, by appointment, during regular 
business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., eastern 
daylight time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Waldhauser, Project Officer, 
Program Integrity Group, Office of Financial Management, CMS, Mail stop 
N3-02-16, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland, 21244-1850. The 
telephone number is 410-786-6140.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Description of the Modified System

A. Statutory and Regulatory Basis for SOR

    In 1992, CMS established a SOR under the authority of sections 
1124, 1124A, 1126, and 1833(e) of Title XVIII of the Social Security 
Act (the Act) (Title 42 United States Code (USC) Secs. 405, 426, 1395c, 
and 1395k). Notice of this system, ``Medicare Supplier Identification 
File (MSIF), System No. 09-70-0530,'' was most recently published in 
the Federal Register (FR) 57 FR 23420 (June 3, 1992), one routine use 
was added at 61 FR 6645 (Feb. 21, 1996), three new fraud and abuse 
routine uses were added at 63 FR 38414 (July 16, 1998), and at FR 50552 
(Aug. 18, 2000), two of the fraud and abuse routine uses were revised 
and a third deleted.

II. Collection and Maintenance of Data in the System

A. Scope of the Data Collected

    This system contains information on owners and managing employees 
of suppliers of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and 
Supplies (DMEPOS), ambulance companies, imaging technology companies, 
and independent diagnostic testing facilities which provide service or 
supplies to Medicare beneficiaries. A ``supplier'' of DMEPOS is an 
entity or individual, including a physician or Part A provider, that 
sells or rents Part B covered items to Medicare beneficiaries and that 
meets the standards which CMS has established and found in 42 CFR 
Sec. 424.57.

B. Agency Policies, Procedures, and Restrictions on the Routine Use

    The Privacy Act permits us to disclose information without an 
individual's consent if the information is to be used for a purpose 
that is compatible with the purpose(s) for which the information was 
collected. Any such disclosure of data is known as a ``routine use.'' 
The government will only release MSIF information as provided for under 
ASection III. Proposed Routine Use Disclosures of Data in the 
System.[sime]
    We will only collect the minimum personal data necessary to achieve 
the purpose of MSIF. CMS has the following policies and procedures 
concerning disclosures of information that will be maintained in the 
system. In general, disclosure of information from the SOR will be 
approved only for the minimum information necessary to accomplish the 
purpose of the disclosure only after CMS:
    1. Determines that the use or disclosure is consistent with the 
reason that the data is being collected, e.g., identifying supplier 
businesses, owner, and managing employees of those suppliers who 
provide services to Medicare beneficiaries.
    2. Determines that:
    a. The purpose for which the disclosure is to be made can only be 
accomplished if the record is provided in individually identifiable 
form;
    b. The purpose for which the disclosure is to be made is of 
sufficient importance to warrant the effect and/or risk on the privacy 
of the individual that additional exposure of the record might bring; 
and
    c. There is a strong probability that the proposed use of the data 
would in fact accomplish the stated purpose(s).
    3. Requires the information recipient to:
    a. Establish administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to 
prevent unauthorized use of disclosure of the record;
    b. Remove or destroy at the earliest time all patient-identifiable 
information; and
    c. Agree to not use or disclose the information for any purpose 
other than the stated purpose under which the information was 
disclosed.
    4. Determines that the data are valid and reliable.

[[Page 48186]]

III. Proposed Routine Use Disclosures of Data in the System

A. Entities Who May Receive Disclosures Under Routine Use

    These routine uses specify circumstances, in addition to those 
provided by statute in the Privacy Act of 1974, under which CMS may 
release information from the MSIF without the consent of the individual 
to whom such information pertains. Each proposed disclosure of 
information under these routine uses will be evaluated to ensure that 
the disclosure is legally permissible, including but not limited to 
ensuring that the purpose of the disclosure is compatible with the 
purpose for which the information was collected. We are proposing to 
establish the following routine use disclosures of information 
maintained in the system:
    1. To Agency contractors, or consultants who have been engaged by 
the Agency to assist in accomplishment of a CMS function relating to 
the purposes for this SOR and who need to have access to the records in 
order to assist CMS.
    We contemplate disclosing information under this routine use only 
in situations in which CMS may enter into a contractual or similar 
agreement with a third party to assist in accomplishing a CMS function 
relating to purposes for this SOR. CMS occasionally contracts out 
certain of its functions when doing so would contribute to effective 
and efficient operations. CMS must be able to give a contractor or 
consultant whatever information is necessary for the contractor or 
consultant to fulfill its duties. In these situations, safeguards are 
provided in the contract prohibiting the contractor or consultant from 
using or disclosing the information for any purpose other than that 
described in the contract and requires the contractor or consultant to 
return or destroy all information at the completion of the contract.
    2. To a Member of Congress or to a congressional staff member in 
response to an inquiry of the congressional office made at the written 
request of the constituent about whom the record is maintained.
    Beneficiaries and other individuals often request the help of a 
Member of Congress in resolving an issue relating to a matter before 
CMS. The Member of Congress then writes CMS, and CMS must be able to 
give sufficient information to be responsive to the inquiry.
    3. To the Department of Justice (DOJ), court or adjudicatory body 
when:
    a. The Agency or any component thereof, or
    b. Any employee of the Agency in his or her official capacity, or
    c. Any employee of the Agency in his or her individual capacity 
where the DOJ has agreed to represent the employee, or
    d. The United States Government, is a party to litigation or has an 
interest in such litigation, and by careful review, CMS determines that 
the records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation.
    Whenever CMS is involved in litigation, or occasionally when 
another party is involved in litigation and CMS' policies or operations 
could be affected by the outcome of the litigation, CMS would be able 
to disclose information to the DOJ, court or adjudicatory body 
involved.
    4. To a CMS contractor (including, but not necessarily limited to 
fiscal intermediaries and carriers) that assists in the administration 
of a CMS-administered health benefits program, or to a grantee of a 
CMS-administered grant program, when disclosure is deemed reasonably 
necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, 
examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, 
remedy, or otherwise combat fraud or abuse in such program.
    We contemplate disclosing information under this routine use only 
in situations in which CMS may enter into a contract or grant with a 
third party to assist in accomplishing CMS functions relating to the 
purpose of combating fraud and abuse.
    CMS occasionally contracts out certain of its functions when doing 
so would contribute to effective and efficient operations. CMS must be 
able to give a contractor or grantee whatever information is necessary 
for the contractor or grantee to fulfill its duties. In these 
situations, safeguards are provided in the contract prohibiting the 
contractor or grantee from using or disclosing the information for any 
purpose other than that described in the contract and requiring the 
contractor or grantee to return or destroy all information.
    5. To another Federal agency or to an instrumentality of any 
governmental jurisdiction within or under the control of the United 
States (including any state or local governmental agency), that 
administers, or that has the authority to investigate potential fraud 
or abuse in, a health benefits program funded in whole or in part by 
Federal funds, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to 
prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue 
with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat 
fraud or abuse in such programs.
    Other agencies may require MSIF information for the purpose of 
combating fraud and abuse in such Federally funded programs.

B. Additional Circumstances Affecting Routine Use Disclosures

    This SOR contains Protected Health Information as defined by HHS 
regulation ``Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health 
Information'' (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164, 65 FR 82462 (Dec. 28, 00), as 
amended by 66 FR 12434 (Feb. 26, 01)). Disclosures of Protected Health 
Information authorized by these routine uses may only be made if, and 
as, permitted or required by the ``Standards for Privacy of 
Individually Identifiable Health Information.''
    In addition, our policy will be to prohibit release even of non-
identifiable data, except pursuant to one of the routine uses, if there 
is a possibility that an individual can be identified through implicit 
deduction based on small cell sizes (instances where the patient 
population is so small that individuals who are familiar with the 
enrollees could, because of the small size, use this information to 
deduce the identity of the beneficiary).

IV. Safeguards

Administrative Safeguards

    The MSIF system will conform to applicable law and policy governing 
the privacy and security of Federal automated information systems. 
These include but are not limited to: the Privacy Act of 1974, Computer 
Security Act of 1987, the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the 
Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, and OMB Circular A-130, Appendix III, 
``Security of Federal Automated Information Resources.'' CMS has 
prepared a comprehensive system security plan as required by the Office 
and Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, Appendix III. This plan 
conforms fully to guidance issued by the National Institute for 
Standards and Technology (NIST) in NIST Special Publication 800-18, 
``Guide for Developing Security Plans for Information Technology 
Systems.'' Paragraphs A-C of this section highlight some of the 
specific methods that CMS is using to ensure the security of this 
system and the information within it.
    Authorized users: Personnel having access to the system have been 
trained in Privacy Act and systems security requirements. Employees and 
contractors who maintain records in the

[[Page 48187]]

system are instructed not to release any data until the intended 
recipient agrees to implement appropriate administrative, technical, 
procedural, and physical safeguards sufficient to protect the 
confidentiality of the data and to prevent unauthorized access to the 
data. In addition, CMS is monitoring the authorized users to ensure 
against excessive or unauthorized use. Records are used in a designated 
work area or workstation and the system location is attended at all 
times during working hours.
    To assure security of the data, the proper level of class user is 
assigned for each individual user as determined at the Agency level. 
This prevents unauthorized users from accessing and modifying critical 
data. The system database configuration includes five classes of 
database users:
    Database Administrator class owns the database objects; e.g., 
tables, triggers, indexes, stored procedures, packages, and has 
database administration privileges to these objects;
     Quality Control Administrator class has read and write 
access to key fields in the database;
     Quality Indicator (QI) Report Generator class has read-
only access to all fields and tables;
     Policy Research class has query access to tables, but are 
not allowed to access confidential patient identification information; 
and
     Submitter class has read and write access to database 
objects, but no database administration privileges.

B. Physical Safeguards

    All server sites have implemented the following minimum 
requirements to assist in reducing the exposure of computer equipment 
and thus achieve an optimum level of protection and security for the 
MSIF system:
    Access to all servers is controlled, with access limited to only 
those support personnel with a demonstrated need for access. Servers 
are to be kept in a locked room accessible only by specified management 
and system support personnel. Each server requires a specific log-on 
process. All entrance doors are identified and marked. A log is kept of 
all personnel who were issued a security card-key and/or combination 
that grant access to the room housing the server, and all visitors are 
escorted while in this room. All servers are housed in an area where 
appropriate environmental security controls are implemented, which 
include measures implemented to mitigate damage to Automated 
Information System (AIS) resources caused by fire, electricity, water 
and inadequate climate controls.
    Protection applied to the workstations, servers and databases 
include:
     User Log-ons--Authentication is performed by the Primary 
Domain Controller/Backup Domain Controller of the log-on domain.
     Workstation Names--Workstation naming conventions may be 
defined and implemented at the Agency level.
     Hours of Operation--May be restricted by Windows NT. When 
activated all applicable processes will automatically shut down at a 
specific time and not be permitted to resume until the predetermined 
time. The appropriate hours of operation are determined and implemented 
at the Agency level.
     Inactivity Log-out--Access to the NT workstation is 
automatically logged out after a specified period of inactivity.
     Warnings--Legal notices and security warnings display on 
all servers and workstations.
     Remote Access Services (RAS)--Windows NT RAS security 
handles resource access control. Access to NT resources is controlled 
for remote users in the same manner as local users, by utilizing 
Windows NT file and sharing permissions. Dial-in access can be granted 
or restricted on a user-by-user basis through the Windows NT RAS 
administration tool.

C. Procedural Safeguards

    All automated systems must comply with Federal laws, guidance, and 
policies for information systems security as stated previously in this 
section. Each automated information system should ensure a level of 
security commensurate with the level of sensitivity of the data, risk, 
and magnitude of the harm that may result from the loss, misuse, 
disclosure, or modification of the information contained in the system.

V. Effect of the Modified SOR on Individual Rights

    CMS proposes to establish this system in accordance with the 
principles and requirements of the Privacy Act and will collect, use, 
and disseminate information only as prescribed therein. We will only 
disclose the minimum personal data necessary to achieve the purpose of 
MSIF. Disclosure of information from the SOR will be approved only to 
the extent necessary to accomplish the purpose of the disclosure. CMS 
has assigned a higher level of security clearance for the information 
maintained in this system in an effort to provide added security and 
protection of data in this system.
    CMS will take precautionary measures to minimize the risks of 
unauthorized access to the records and the potential harm to individual 
privacy or other personal or property rights. CMS will collect only 
that information necessary to perform the system's functions. In 
addition, CMS will make disclosure from the proposed system only with 
consent of the subject individual, or his/her legal representative, or 
in accordance with an applicable exception provision of the Privacy 
Act.
    CMS, therefore, does not anticipate an unfavorable effect on 
individual privacy as a result of the disclosure of information 
relating to individuals.

    Dated: June 24, 2002.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
No. 09-70-0530

SYSTEM NAME:
    ``Medicare Supplier Identification File (MSIF), HHS/CMS/OFM''

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
    Level Three Privacy Act Sensitive Data

SYSTEM LOCATION:
    National Supplier Clearing House, Palmetto Government Benefits 
Administrators, Interstate-20 at Alpine Road, Columbia, South Carolina 
29219.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
    The system of records (SOR) will contain information on owners and 
managing employees of suppliers of Durable Medical Equipment, 
Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS), ambulance companies, 
imaging technology companies, and independent diagnostic testing 
facilities which provide service or supplies to Medicare beneficiaries. 
A ``supplier'' of DMEPOS is an entity or individual, including a 
physician or Part A provider, that sells or rents Part B covered items 
to Medicare beneficiaries and that meets the standards that CMS has 
established and found in 42 CFR 424.57.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    This system contains the business names and addresses, owner's 
name, owner's social security number, Unique Physician/Practitioner 
Identification Number (UPIN), managing employee's name, employer 
identification number or other tax reporting number, and the carrier 
assigned billing numbers.

[[Page 48188]]

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
    Authority for maintenance of this SOR is given under the provisions 
of Secs. 1124, 1124A, 1126, and 1833(e) of Title XVIII of the Social 
Security Act (Title 42 United States Code (USC) Secs. 405, 426, 1395c, 
and 1395k).

PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
    The primary purpose of this system is to identify supplier 
businesses that are eligible to receive Medicare payments for items and 
services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries as well as owners, 
managing employees, and subcontractors in those suppliers. The system 
will facilitate the identification of business owners who have been 
sanctioned by the Office of Inspector General and/or have questionable 
business practices within the Medicare program. The carriers will be 
able to review questionable claims before payment that has been found 
to be more effective than post-payment reviews. Information retrieved 
from this SOR will also be disclosed to: support regulatory, 
reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the Agency or by a 
contractor or consultant, support constituent requests made to a 
congressional representative, support litigation involving the Agency, 
and combat fraud and abuse in certain health benefits programs.

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
OR USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
    The Privacy Act allows us to disclose information without an 
individual's consent if the information is to be used for a purpose 
that is compatible with the purpose(s) for which the information was 
collected. Any such compatible use of data is known as a ``routine 
use.'' The proposed routine use in this system meets the compatibility 
requirement of the Privacy Act. This SOR contains Protected Health 
Information as defined by HHS regulation ``Standards for Privacy of 
Individually Identifiable Health Information'' (45 CFR Parts 160 and 
164, 65 FR 82462 (Dec. 28, 00), as amended by 66 FR 12434 (Feb. 26, 
01)). Disclosures of Protected Health Information authorized by these 
routine uses may only be made if, and as, permitted or required by the 
``Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health 
Information.'' In addition, our policy will be to prohibit release even 
of non-identifiable data, except pursuant to one of the routine uses, 
if there is a possibility that an individual can be identified through 
implicit deduction based on small cell sizes (instances where the 
patient population is so small that individuals who are familiar with 
the enrollees could, because of the small size, use this information to 
deduce the identity of the beneficiary). We are proposing to establish 
the following routine use disclosures of information that will be 
maintained in the system:
    1. To Agency contractors, or consultants who have been engaged by 
the Agency to assist in accomplishment of a CMS function relating to 
the purposes for this SOR and who need to have access to the records in 
order to assist CMS.
    2. To a Member of Congress or to a congressional staff member in 
response to an inquiry of the congressional office made at the written 
request of the constituent about whom the record is maintained.
    3. To the Department of Justice (DOJ), court or adjudicatory body 
when:
    a. The Agency or any component thereof, or
    b. Any employee of the Agency in his or her official capacity, or
    c. Any employee of the Agency in his or her individual capacity 
where the DOJ has agreed to represent the employee, or
    d. The United States Government,
    is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and 
by careful review, CMS determines that the records are both relevant 
and necessary to the litigation and that the use of such records by the 
DOJ, court or adjudicatory body is compatible with the purpose for 
which the Agency collected the records.
    4. To a CMS contractor (including, but not necessarily limited to 
fiscal intermediaries and carriers) that assists in the administration 
of a CMS-administered health benefits program, or to a grantee of a 
CMS-administered grant program, when disclosure is deemed reasonably 
necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, 
examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, 
remedy, or otherwise combat fraud or abuse in such program.
    5. To another Federal agency or to an instrumentality of any 
governmental jurisdiction within or under the control of the United 
States (including any state or local governmental agency), that 
administers, or that has the authority to investigate potential fraud 
or abuse in, a health benefits program funded in whole or in part by 
Federal funds, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to 
prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue 
with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat 
fraud or abuse in such programs.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, 
AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
STORAGE:
    Computer diskette and on magnetic storage media.

RETRIEVABILITY:
    Information can be retrieved by the business names and addresses, 
owner's name, owner's social security number, UPIN, managing employee's 
name, employer identification number or other tax reporting number, and 
the carrier assigned billing numbers.

SAFEGUARDS:
    CMS has safeguards for authorized users and monitors such users to 
ensure against excessive or unauthorized use. Personnel having access 
to the system have been trained in the Privacy Act and systems security 
requirements. Employees who maintain records in the system are 
instructed not to release any data until the intended recipient agrees 
to implement appropriate administrative, technical, procedural, and 
physical safeguards sufficient to protect the confidentiality of the 
data and to prevent unauthorized access to the data.
    In addition, CMS has physical safeguards in place to reduce the 
exposure of computer equipment and thus achieve an optimum level of 
protection and security for the MSIF system. For computerized records, 
safeguards have been established in accordance with the Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS) standards and National Institute of 
Standards and Technology guidelines, e.g., security codes will be used, 
limiting access to authorized personnel. System securities are 
established in accordance with HHS, Information Resource Management 
Circular 10, Automated Information Systems Security Program; 
CMS Automated Information Systems Guide, Systems Securities Policies, 
and OMB Circular No. A-130 (revised), Appendix III.

RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
    Records are maintained in a secure storage area. Records are 
maintained by CMS and the repository of the National Archives and 
Records Administration for a period not to exceed 15 years.

SYSTEM MANAGER AND ADDRESS:
    Director, Program Integrity Group, Office of Financial Management, 
CMS, C3-02-16, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland, 21244-
1850.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
    For purpose of access, the subject individual should write to the 
system

[[Page 48189]]

manager who will require the system name, identification number, 
address, and for verification purposes, the subject individual's name 
(woman's maiden name, if applicable), and social security number (SSN). 
Furnishing the SSN is voluntary, but it may make searching for a record 
easier and prevent delay.

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURE:
    For purpose of access, use the same procedures outlined in 
Notification Procedures above. Requestors should also reasonably 
specify the record contents being sought. (These procedures are in 
accordance with Department regulation 45 CFR 5b.5(a)(2)).

CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
    The subject individual should contact the system manager named 
above, and reasonably identify the record and specify the information 
to be contested. State the corrective action sought and the reasons for 
the correction with supporting justification. (These procedures are in 
accordance with Department regulation 45 CFR 5b.7).

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
    Sources of information contained in this records system include 
data collected from the application which the supplier completes to 
obtain Medicare billing numbers. (CMS Form 192-prior to August 1996, 
CMS Form 885, April 1996-May 1997, and CMS Form 855S-after May, 1997).

SYSTEMS EXEMPTED FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ACT:
    None.

[FR Doc. 02-18168 Filed 7-22-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P