[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 86 (Friday, May 3, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25858-25861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-10566]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

45 CFR Parts 60 and 61

RIN 0906-AA87


National Practitioner Data Bank

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HHS.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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SUMMARY: This document corrects non-substantive technical errors in the 
final rule entitled ``National Practitioner Data Bank'' which appeared 
in the April 5, 2013, issue of the Federal Register. The corrections 
improve the precision of the text, which is intended to enhance the 
accuracy with which users comply with these regulatory requirements.

DATES: This correction is effective on May 6, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director, Division of Practitioner 
Data Banks, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services 
Administration, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 8-103, 
Rockville, MD 20857; telephone number: (301) 443-2300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In FR Doc. No. 2013-07521 of April 5, 2013 (78 FR 20473), the final 
rule entitled ``National Practitioner Data Bank'', there were a number 
of non-substantive technical errors as a result of using a version of 
text without final edits. The errors are identified in the Summary of 
Errors section and corrected in the Correction of Errors section. The 
provisions in this correction document are effective as if they had 
been included in the document published April 5, 2013.

II. Summary of Errors

A. Summary of Errors in the Preamble

    On pages 20473, 20474, 20475, 20476, 20477, and 20478, we made 
several grammatical errors. Also, we made inadvertent reference to 
``government health care program'' instead of the more accurate 
reference to ``Federal health care program,'' ``state health care 
program,'' or ``Federal or state health care program.''
    On page 20479, we inadvertently referred to ``Social Security 
Number'' as a word instead of as a phrase. We also made inadvertent 
reference to ``government health care program'' instead of ``Federal or 
state'' health care program.
    On page 20480, we made inadvertent reference to ``government health 
care program'' instead of ``Federal or state'' health care program.
    On pages 20481, 20482, and 20483, we made inadvertent reference to 
``government health care program'' instead of ``state health care 
program.'' Also, we made two minor punctuation errors.

B. Summary of Errors in the Regulations Text

    On page 20484, in the list of sections, we made inadvertent 
reference in the title of Sec.  60.15 to government health care 
programs instead of Federal or state health care programs. Also, in 
Sec.  60.1, we made a minor punctuation error.
    On page 20485, in Sec.  60.2, we made two grammatical errors. Also, 
in Sec.  60.3, under the definition of exclusion, we made inadvertent 
reference to government health-related program instead of Federal or 
state health-related program.
    On page 20486, in the definition of health plan and in the 
definition of negative action or finding, we made a minor punctuation 
error.
    On page 20487, in the definition of state law or fraud enforcement 
agency, we made an inadvertent reference to government health care 
program instead of state health care program. Also, in the definition 
of voluntary surrender of license or certification and in Sec.  60.5 
(g), we made an inadvertent reference to government health care 
programs instead of Federal or state health care program.
    On page 20488, in Sec.  60.6, we made two minor punctuation errors. 
In Sec.  60.7, we made one minor grammatical error.
    On page 20492, in Sec.  60.13 (c)(2)(ii) and (c)(3)(vi), we used 
the term ``to include'' instead of ``including.'' We made the 
correction to clarify that the list following the term is not 
inclusive. Also, in the title of Sec.  60.15 and in the first paragraph 
under the title, we made an inadvertent reference to government health 
care programs instead of Federal or state health care programs.
    On page 20493, in Sec.  60.15 (c)(2)(ii) and (c)(3)(vi), we used 
the term ``to include'' instead of ``including.'' We made the 
correction to clarify that the list following the term is not 
inclusive. Also, in Sec.  60.17 (a)(1), we made two minor punctuation 
errors. Further, in Sec.  60.17 (a)(2), in the phrase ``every 2 years 
concerning any health care practitioner'' we changed the word 
``concerning'' to ``for'' to improve clarity of the requirement.
    On page 20494, in Sec.  60.18 (a)(2)(i), we made an inadvertent 
reference to government health care programs instead of Federal health 
care programs. In Sec.  60.18 (a)(2)(iii), we made an inadvertent 
reference to government health care programs instead of state health 
care programs. Further, in Sec.  60.18 (a)(2)(vi) and (a)(2)(vii), when 
listing the sections of the rule that contain information that can be 
disclosed to certain entities, we erroneously omitted reference to 
Sec.  60.10. Also, in Sec.  60.18 (b) we made a minor grammatical 
error.

III. Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking and Delay in Effective Date

    HHS ordinarily publishes a notice of proposed rulemaking in the 
Federal Register to provide a period for public comment before the 
provisions of a rule take effect, in accordance with Section 553(b) of 
the Administrative Procedure Act (APA)(5 U.S.C. 553(b)). However, this 
notice and comment procedure can be waived if it is found, for good 
cause, that the notice and comment process is impracticable, 
unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest, and incorporates a 
statement of the finding and the reasons therefore in the notice.
    Section 553(d) of the APA ordinarily requires a 30-day delay in 
effective date of final rules after the date of their publication in 
the Federal Register. This 30-day delay in effective date can be 
waived, however, if an agency finds there is good cause to do so, and 
the agency incorporates a statement of the findings and its reasons in 
the rule issued. In our view, this correcting document does not 
constitute a rule that would be subject to the APA notice and comment 
or delayed effective date

[[Page 25859]]

requirements. It corrects non-substantive technical errors in the 
preamble and regulations text of the April 5, 2013, final rule and does 
not make substantive changes to the policies that were adopted. 
Further, the corrections improve the precision of the text, which is 
intended to enhance the accuracy with which users comply with these 
regulatory requirements. As a result, this correcting document is 
intended to ensure that the final rule accurately reflects the policies 
adopted in, and legislative requirements set forth in that rule.
    In addition, even if this were a rule to which the notice and 
comment and delayed effective date requirements applied, we find that 
there is good cause to waive such requirements. Undertaking further 
notice and comment procedures to incorporate the corrections in this 
document into the final rule or delaying the effective date would be 
contrary to the public interest. Furthermore, such procedures would be 
unnecessary, as we are not altering the policies that were already 
subject to comment and finalized in our final rule. Therefore, we 
believe we have good cause to waive the notice and comment and 
effective date requirements.

IV. Correction of Errors

    In FR Doc. No. 2013-07521 published April 5, 2013 (78 FR 20473), 
make the following corrections:

A. Corrections of Errors in the Preamble

    1. On page 20473:
    a. Column 1, Summary, line 6: ``National Practitioner Data Bank'' 
is corrected to read: ``National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB)''.
    b. Column 1, Summary, lines 13 and 14: ``Healthcare Integrity and 
Protection Data Bank'' is corrected to read: ``Healthcare Integrity and 
Protection Data Bank (HIPDB)''.
    c. Column 1, Summary, lines 19 and 20: ``Healthcare Integrity and 
Protection Data Bank (HIPDB)'' is corrected to read: ``HIPDB''.
    d. Column 1, Summary, lines 22 and 23: ``National Practitioner Data 
Bank (NPDB)'' is corrected to read: ``NPDB''.
    e. Column 1, Summary, lines 26 and 27 and Column 2, lines 1, 2, and 
3: ``Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank to the National 
Practitioner Data Bank, and, once completed, to cease operations of the 
Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank.'' is corrected to read: 
``HIPDB to the NPDB, and, once completed, to cease operations of the 
HIPDB.''
    f. Column 2, Background, (1) The Health Care Quality Improvement 
Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 11101 et seq.), lines 23, 24 and 25: ``services, 
state medical or dental boards and other health care practitioner state 
boards.'' is corrected to read: ``services, state medical or dental 
boards, and other health care practitioner state boards.''
    g. Column 3, Background, (2) Section 1921 of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-2)(Prior to the passage of the Affordable Care 
Act), paragraph 2, lines 8 and 9: ``health care practitioner state 
boards), other state licensing authorities,'' is corrected to read: 
``health care practitioner state boards); other state licensing 
authorities;''
    h. Column 3, Background, (2) Section 1921 of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-2)(Prior to the passage of the Affordable Care 
Act), paragraph 2, lines 10 and 11: ``agencies administering government 
health care programs'' is corrected to read: ``agencies administering 
Federal health care programs''.
    i. Column 3, Background, (2) Section 1921 of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-2)(Prior to the passage of the Affordable Care 
Act), paragraph 2, lines 13 through 18: ``under contract), state 
agencies administering or supervising the administration of government 
health care programs, state Medicaid fraud control units, certain law 
enforcement agencies,'' is corrected to read: ``under contract); state 
agencies administering or supervising the administration of state 
health care programs; state Medicaid fraud control units; certain law 
enforcement agencies;''
    2. On page 20474, Column 1, line 13: ``government health care 
programs'' is corrected to read: ``Federal or state health care 
programs''.
    3. On page 20475:
    a. Column 2, lines 19 and 20: ``participation in a government 
health care program'' is corrected to read: ``participation in a state 
health care program''.
    b. Column 2, lines 27 and 28: ``administering government health 
care programs'' is corrected to read: ``administering Federal health 
care programs''.
    c. Column 2, lines 36 and 37: ``administration of government health 
care programs'' is corrected to read: ``administration of state health 
care programs''.
    d. Column 3, first paragraph under C. Section 1128E, as Amended by 
Section 6403, lines 18 and 19: ``exclusions from government health care 
programs'' is corrected to read: ``exclusions from Federal health care 
programs''.
    e. Column 3, third paragraph, line 3: ``data bank requirements'' is 
corrected to read: ``Data Bank requirements''.
    4. On page 20476:
    a. Table 1, column 1, under heading What Information is Reported?, 
Section 1128E (HIPDB), 3rd bullet: ``Exclusions from government health 
care programs'' is corrected to read: ``Exclusions from Federal or 
state health care programs''.
    b. Table 1, column 2, under heading Reporting/Querying Requirements 
after Passage of Section 6403, 3rd bullet: ``State authorities that 
license or certify practitioners, entities, providers, suppliers'' is 
corrected to read: ``State authorities that license or certify 
practitioners, entities, providers, and suppliers''.
    c. Table 1, column 2, under heading What Information is Reported?, 
Section 1921 (NPDB), 4th bullet: ``Exclusions from government health 
care programs'' is corrected to read: ``Exclusions from state health 
care programs''.
    d. Table 1, column 2, under heading What Information is Reported?, 
Section 1128E (NPDB), 4th bullet: ``Exclusions from government health 
care programs'' is corrected to read: ``Exclusions from Federal health 
care programs''.
    5. On page 20477:
    a. Table 1, column 1, under heading Statutory Requirements before 
Passage of Section 6403, Section 1921 (NPDB), 5th bullet: ``Agencies 
administering government health care programs'' is corrected to read: 
``Agencies administering Federal health care programs''.
    b. Table 1, column 1, under heading Statutory Requirements before 
Passage of Section 6403, Section 1921 (NPDB), 6th bullet: ``State 
agencies administering government health care programs'' is corrected 
to read: ``State agencies administering state health care programs''.
    c. Table 1, column 2, under heading Reporting/Querying Requirements 
after Passage of Section 6403, Section 1921 and Section 1128E (NPDB), 
5th bullet: ``Agencies administering (including those providing payment 
for services) government health care programs and their contractors'' 
is corrected to read: ``Agencies administering (including those 
providing payment for services) Federal health care programs and their 
contractors''.
    d. Table 1, column 2, under heading Reporting/Querying Requirements 
after Passage of Section 6403, Section 1921 and Section 1128E (NPDB), 
6th bullet: ``State agencies administering government health care 
programs'' is corrected to read: ``State agencies administering state 
health care programs''.
    6. On page 20478:
    a. Column 1, F. Sanction Authority, line 21 and 22: ``exclusions 
from

[[Page 25860]]

government health care programs'' is corrected to read: ``exclusions 
from state health care programs''.
    b. Column 3, lines 2 through 10: ````board of medical examiners, or 
board,'' ``health care entity,'' ``health care practitioner, licensed 
health care practitioner, licensed practitioner, or practitioner,'' 
``hospital,'' ``negative action or finding,'' ``peer review 
organization,'' ``physician,'' ``private accreditation entity,'''' is 
corrected to read: ``''board of medical examiners, or board;'' ``health 
care entity;'' ``health care practitioner, licensed health care 
practitioner, licensed practitioner, or practitioner;'' ``hospital;'' 
``negative action or finding;'' ``peer review organization;'' 
``physician;'' ``private accreditation entity;''''
    7. On page 20479:
    a. Column 2, line 4: ``word Social Security Number.'' is corrected 
to read: ``phrase ``Social Security Number.''''
    b. Column 2, heading Sec.  60.9 Reporting Licensure and 
Certification Actions Taken by States, lines 27 and 28: ``participate 
in a government health care program.'' is corrected to read: 
``participate in a Federal or state health care program.''
    c. Column 3, line 15: ``word Social Security Number.'' Is corrected 
to read: ``phrase ``Social Security Number.''''
    8. On page 20480:
    a. Column 2, heading Sec.  60.15 ``Reporting Exclusions From 
Participation in Government Health Care Programs'' is corrected to 
read: ``Reporting Exclusions from Participation in Federal or State 
Health Care Programs''.
    b. Column 2, heading Sec.  60.15 Reporting Exclusions From 
Participation in Government Health Care Programs, lines 9 and 10: 
``participating in government health care programs'' is corrected to 
read: ``participating in Federal or state health care programs''.
    9. On page 20481:
    a. Column 2, heading Definitions (Sec.  60.3), 1. Health Care 
Entity, Health Care Provider, and Health Care Supplier, 2nd paragraph, 
line 11: ``supplier and entity are well defined.'' is corrected to 
read: ``supplier, and entity are well defined.''
    b. Column 3, under Response heading, line 14: ``probation, 
reprimand or censure'' is corrected to read: ``probation, reprimand, or 
censure''.
    10. On page 20482:
    a. Column 2, heading 6. State Law or Fraud Enforcement Agency, 
first paragraph, lines 5 and 6: ``agencies administering a government 
health care program.'' is corrected to read: ``agencies administering a 
state health care program.''
    b. Column 2, heading 6. State Law or Fraud Enforcement Agency, 
second paragraph, lines 5 and 6: ``agencies administering a government 
health care program'' is corrected to read: ``agencies administering a 
state health care program''.
    11. On page 20483
    a. Column 1, heading Confidentiality of National Practitioner Data 
Bank Information (Sec.  60.20), first paragraph, line 18: `` 
``superfluous''.'' is corrected to read: `` ``superfluous.'' ''

B. Corrections of Errors in the Regulations Text

0
1. On page 20484, Column 2, in the table of contents, the heading for 
Sec.  60.6 is corrected to read: ``Reporting errors, omissions, 
revisions, or whether an action is on appeal.''
0
2. On page 20484, Column 3, in the table of contents, the heading for 
Sec.  60.15 is corrected to read: ``Reporting exclusions from 
participation in Federal or state health care programs.''


Sec.  60.1  [Corrected]

0
3. On page 20484, Column 3, in Sec.  60.1, at lines 11 and 12, the 
phrase ``dentists and other health care practitioners.'' is corrected 
to read: ``dentists, and other health care practitioners.''


Sec.  60.2  [Corrected]

0
4. On page 20485, Column 1, in Sec.  60.2, at lines 3, 4, and 5, the 
phrase ``hospitals, health care entities, Boards of Medical Examiners, 
professional societies'' is corrected to read: ``hospitals, health care 
entities, Boards of Medical Examiners, and professional societies''.
0
5. On page 20485, Column 1, in Sec.  60.2, at lines 16, 17, and 18, the 
phrase ``medical malpractice actions or claims; Federal Government 
agencies'' is corrected to read: ``medical malpractice actions or 
claims; and Federal government agencies''.


Sec.  60.3  [Corrected]

0
6. On page 20485, Column 2, in Sec.  60.3, at lines 25 through 32, the 
definition ``Exclusion means a temporary or permanent debarment of an 
individual or entity from participation in any government health-
related program, in accordance with which items or services furnished 
by such person or entity will not be reimbursed under any government 
health-related program.'' is corrected to read: ``Exclusion means a 
temporary or permanent debarment of an individual or entity from 
participation in any Federal or state health-related program, in 
accordance with which items or services furnished by such person or 
entity will not be reimbursed under any Federal or state health-related 
program.''
0
7. On page 20486, Column 1, in Sec.  60.3, in paragraph (5) of the 
definition of Health plan, at lines 1 and 2, the phrase ``An insurance 
company, insurance service or insurance organization'' is corrected to 
read: ``An insurance company, insurance service, or insurance 
organization''.
0
8. On page 20486, Column 2, under the definition of Negative action or 
finding, paragraph (3)(i), the phrase ``Connected to the delivery of 
health care services, or'' is corrected to read: ``Connected to the 
delivery of health care services; or''.
0
9. On page 20487, Column 2, under the definition of State law or fraud 
enforcement agency, paragraph (3), at lines 4 and 5, the phrase 
``administration of a government health care program'' is corrected to 
read: ``administration of a state health care program''.
0
10. On page 20487, Column 3, at lines 5 and 6, the phrase 
``participation in government health care programs'' is corrected to 
read: ``participation in Federal or state health care programs''.


Sec.  60.5  [Corrected]

0
11. On page 20487, Column 3, in Sec.  60.5(g), the phrase ``Exclusions 
from government health care programs'' is corrected to read: 
``Exclusions from Federal or state health care programs''.


Sec.  60.6  [Corrected]

0
12. On page 20488, Column 1, in Sec.  60.6(a) at line 8, the phrase 
``NPDB and in the case of reports made'' is corrected to read: ``NPDB 
and, in the case of reports made''.
0
13. On page 20488, Column 1, in Sec.  60.6(d)(2), at line 14, the 
phrase ``the factual nature of the statement.) or'' is corrected to 
read: ``the factual nature of the statement.); or''.


Sec.  60.7  [Corrected]

0
14. On page 20488, Column 2, in Sec.  60.7(b)(1)(viii), the phrase 
``Drug Enforcement Administration registration number, if known,'' is 
corrected to read: ``Drug Enforcement Administration registration 
number, if known, and''.


Sec.  60.13  [Corrected]

0
15. On page 20492, Column 1, in Sec.  60.13(c)(2)(ii), at line 2, the 
phrase ``Federal or state agencies, to include'' is corrected to read: 
``Federal or state agencies, including''.
0
16. On page 20492, Column 2, in Sec.  60.13(c)(3)(vi), at line 2, the 
phrase ``Federal or state agencies, to include'' is

[[Page 25861]]

corrected to read: ``Federal or state agencies, including''.


Sec.  60.15  [Corrected]

0
17. On page 20492, Column 3, in Sec.  60.15, the heading ``Reporting 
exclusions from participation in government health care programs'' is 
corrected to read: ``Reporting exclusions from participation in Federal 
or state health care programs''.
0
18. On page 20492, Column 3, in Sec.  60.15(a), at line 6, the phrase 
``government health care programs'' is corrected to read: ``Federal or 
state health care programs''.
0
19. On page 20493, Column 1, in Sec.  60.15(c)(2)(ii), at line 2, the 
phrase ``Federal or state agencies, to include'' is corrected to read: 
``Federal or state agencies, including''.
0
20. On page 20493, Column 2, in Sec.  60.15(c)(3)(vi), at line 2, the 
phrase: ``Federal or state agencies, to include'' is corrected to read: 
``Federal or state agencies, including''.


Sec.  60.17  [Corrected]

0
21. On page 20493, Column 3, in Sec.  60.17(a)(1), the phrase ``At the 
time a health care practitioner, applies for a position on its medical 
staff (courtesy or otherwise), or for clinical privileges at the 
hospital;'' is corrected to read: ``At the time a health care 
practitioner applies for a position on its medical staff (courtesy or 
otherwise) or for clinical privileges at the hospital;''
0
22. On page 20493, Column 3, in Sec.  60.17(a)(2), at lines 1 and 2, 
the phrase ``Every 2 years concerning any health care practitioner,'' 
is corrected to read: ``Every 2 years for any health care 
practitioner''.


Sec.  60.18  [Corrected]

0
23. On page 20494, Column 2, in Sec.  60.18(a)(2)(i), at line 3, the 
phrase ``government health care programs'' is corrected to read: 
``Federal health care programs''.
0
24. On page 20494, Column 2, in Sec.  60.18(a)(2)(iii), at line 3, the 
phrase ``government health care programs'' is corrected to read: 
``state health care programs''.
0
25. On page 20494, Column 2, in Sec.  60.18(a)(2)(vi), at line 9, the 
phrase ``pursuant to Sec. Sec.  60.9 and 60.11'' is corrected to read: 
``pursuant to Sec. Sec.  60.9, 60.10, and 60.11''.
0
26. On page 20494, Column 2, in Sec.  60.18(a)(2)(vii), at line 13, the 
phrase ``Sec. Sec.  60.9 and 60.11'' is corrected to read: ``Sec. Sec.  
60.9, 60.10, and 60.11''.
0
27. On page 20494, Column 3, in Sec.  60.18(b), the phrase ``National 
Practitioner Data Bank'' in the paragraph (b) heading is corrected to 
read: ``NPDB''.

    Dated: April 29, 2013.
Jennifer M. Cannistra,
Executive Secretary to the Department.
[FR Doc. 2013-10566 Filed 5-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-28-P