[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70616-70617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27849]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0621]


Proposed Information Collection (National Practioner Data Bank 
(NPDB) Regulations) Activity: Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment 
on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are 
required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each 
proposed collection of information, including each revised collection, 
and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This 
notice solicits comments on the information needed for Veterans, 
Veteran Representatives and health care providers to request 
reimbursement from the federal government for emergency services at a 
private institution.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before January 26, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov; 
or Audrey Revere, Office of Regulatory and Administrative Affairs, 
Veterans Health Administration (10B4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 
810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420 or email: 
[email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0621'' in 
any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed 
online through the FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Audrey Revere at (202) 461-5694.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501--3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Titles: National Practioner Data Bank.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0621.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Abstract: Under the provisions of the Health Care Quality 
Improvement Act of 1986, which established the National Practitioner 
Data Bank (NPDB), and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of

[[Page 70617]]

Health and Human Services (HHS), VA medical treatment facilities are 
required to query the NPDB at the time of initial appointment for all 
licensed, registered, and certified health care professionals which is 
followed with the enrollment in the NPDB Continuous Query (CQ) process 
with annual renewal of all licensed independent practitioners appointed 
to a VA medical treatment facility. In accordance with 38 CFR, Chapter 
1, Part 46, information is collected so that VA can consider if 
malpractice payments were made related to substandard care, 
professional incompetence, or professional misconduct on the part of a 
licensed health care practitioner or if any adjudicated adverse action 
was taken against the licensure or clinical privileges of a these 
health care practitioner.
    Additionally, complete and thorough credentialing is required to 
assure that only qualified healthcare professionals provide care to our 
Nation's veterans. The term credentialing refers to the systematic 
process of screening and evaluating qualifications and other 
credentials, including licensure, required education, relevant training 
and experience, current competence and health status.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 2,500 burden hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 5 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: s500.

    Dated: November 21, 2014.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Crystal Rennie,
Department Clearance Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2014-27849 Filed 11-25-14; 8:45 am]
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