[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 180 (Wednesday, September 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54516-54517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23630]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program; (SSA/
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Match Number 1076)

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice of renewal of an existing computer matching program 
which is scheduled to expire on September 24, 2003.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as 
amended, this notice announces the renewal of an existing computer 
matching program that SSA is currently conducting with CMS.

DATES: SSA will file a report of the subject matching program with the 
Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on 
Government Reform of the House of Representatives and Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). The renewal of the matching program will be effective as 
indicated below.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice by either 
telefax to (410) 965-8582 or writing to the Associate Commissioner for 
Income Security Programs, 245 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401. All comments received will be 
available for public inspection at this address.

[[Page 54517]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Associate Commissioner for Income 
Security Programs as shown above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. General

    The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Public 
Law (Pub. L.) 100-503) amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by 
establishing the conditions under which computer matching involving the 
Federal Government could be performed and adding certain protections 
for individuals applying for and receiving Federal benefits. Section 
7201 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508) 
further amended the Privacy Act regarding protections for such 
individuals.
    The Privacy Act, as amended, regulates the use of computer matching 
by Federal agencies when records in a system of records are matched 
with other Federal, State, or local government records. It requires 
Federal agencies involved in computer matching programs to:
    (1) Negotiate written agreements with the other agency or agencies 
participating in the matching programs;
    (2) Obtain the Data Integrity Boards' approval of the match 
agreements;
    (3) Publish notice of the computer matching program in the Federal 
Register;
    (4) Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress 
and OMB;
    (5) Notify applicants and beneficiaries that their records are 
subject to matching; and
    (6) Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating, 
or denying an individual's benefits or payments.

B. SSA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

    We have taken action to ensure that all of SSA's computer matching 
programs comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act, as amended.

    Dated: September 10, 2003.
Martin H. Gerry,
Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs.

Notice of Computer Matching Program, Social Security Administration 
(SSA) With the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

A. Participating Agencies

    SSA and CMS.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

    The purpose of this matching program is to identify Supplemental 
Security Income (SSI) recipients and Special Veterans' Benefits (SVB) 
beneficiaries who have been admitted to certain public institutions. 
The program will thereby facilitate benefit reductions required under 
certain provisions of title XVI of the Social Security Act (Act) for 
individuals in such institutions and benefit terminations required 
under certain provisions of title VIII of the Act for individuals no 
longer residing outside the United States.

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

    Sections 1611(e)(1)(A) and (B), 1631(f), 801 and 806(a) and (b) of 
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1382(e)(1)(A) and (B), 1383(f), 1001 
and 1006(a) and (b)); 20 CFR 416.211. Routine Use Number 19, effective 
1/6/95, allows disclosure to Federal, State or local agencies for 
administering cash or noncash income maintenance or health maintenance 
programs.

D. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Matching 
Program

    On the basis of certain identifying information regarding SSI and 
SVB applicants, recipients and beneficiaries as provided by SSA to CMS, 
CMS will provide SSA with electronic files containing skilled nursing 
facility admission and billing data from its Long-Term Care Minimum 
Data Set, LTC/MDS 09-70-1516, system of records. SSA will then match 
the CMS data with SSI and SVB payment information maintained in the 
Supplemental Security Income Record, SSA/OEEAS 60-0103, system of 
records.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

    The matching program shall become effective no sooner than 40 days 
after notice for the program is sent to Congress and OMB, or 30 days 
after publication of this notice in the Federal Register, whichever 
date is later. The matching program will continue for 18 months from 
the effective date and may be extended for an additional 12 months 
thereafter, if certain conditions are met.
[FR Doc. 03-23630 Filed 9-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P