[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 51 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13652-13653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3796]


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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 April 17, 2006.

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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 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, 
the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives and 
the 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.

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 (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: March 8, 2006.
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 (the 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[rparb]
    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 non-cash 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 and Special Veterans Benefits, 
SSA/ODSSIS 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

[[Page 13653]]

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. E6-3796 Filed 3-15-06; 8:45 am]
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