[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67094-67095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18456]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


National Practitioner Data Bank: Change in User Fee for Self-
Query Mailed Paper Copies

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department 
of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: HRSA is announcing a change in user fees charged to 
individuals requesting a supplemental mailed paper copy of their 
National Practitioner Data

[[Page 67095]]

Bank (NPDB) self-query results. The supplemental fee will increase from 
$3.00 to $13.00 per mailed paper copy as these copies will be provided 
using U.S. Postal Service certified mail. The user fees for one-time 
query, continuous, and digitally certified self-query results will 
remain unchanged.

DATES: The fee increase for mailed paper self-query results will be 
effective October 1, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Loewenstein, Director, Division 
of Practitioner Data Bank, Bureau of Health Workforce, HRSA, (301) 443-
2300, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The current fee structure ($2.50/continuous 
query enrollment, $2.50/one-time query, and $3.00/self-query and an 
additional $3.00/requested mailed paper copy) was announced in the 
Federal Register on July 21, 2021, (86 FR 38491) and became effective 
on October 1, 2021. One-time queries, continuous query enrollments, and 
self-queries are submitted and query responses are received through the 
NPDB's secure website. Fees are paid via electronic funds transfer, 
debit card, or credit card.
    The user fees for one-time query, continuous, and digitally 
certified self-query results will remain unchanged. Upon requesting a 
self-query, practitioners receive a digitally certified response which 
they can save and provide to requesting entities electronically. 
Digitally certified self-queries are delivered in an unalterable PDF 
within minutes of the request being placed. Practitioners can save 
their certified response file digitally and provide it to requesting 
entities directly. The security of a digitally certified response 
provides assurance that the response is exactly as it was issued by the 
NPDB. However, if needed, practitioners may also request a mailed paper 
copy of their self-query results. To protect sensitive information in 
self-query responses, the mailed results will now be delivered through 
U.S. Postal Service certified mail with receipt confirmation. Since the 
NPDB is required to cover all its costs with user fees, increased fee 
for mailed paper self-query results will offset the certified mail 
expense.
    HRSA operational standards require review of NPDB user fees at 
least every 2 years. The biennial review of NPDB user fees offers HRSA 
the opportunity to evaluate its reserves as well as revenue relative to 
costs. Further, the review provides essential information on whether 
the fee rates and authorized activities are aligned with actual program 
costs and activities, and can help promote greater understanding of the 
fee by NPDB users.
    The NPDB is authorized by the Health Care Quality Improvement Act 
of 1986 (the Act), Title IV of Public Law 99-660, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
11101 et seq.). Further, two additional statutes expanded the scope of 
the NPDB--Section 1921 of the Social Security Act, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 1396r-2) and Section 1128E of the Social Security Act, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7e). Information collected under the Section 
1128E authority was consolidated within the NPDB pursuant to Section 
6403 of the Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148; this consolidation 
became effective on May 6, 2013. 42 U.S.C. 11137(b)(4), 42 U.S.C. 
1396r-2(e), and42 U.S.C. 1320a-7e(d) authorize the establishment of 
fees for the costs of processing requests for disclosure of such 
information. Final regulations at45 CFR part 60 set forth the criteria 
and procedures for information to be reported to and disclosed by the 
NPDB. In determining any changes in the amount of user fees, the 
Department uses the criteria set forth in section 60.19(b) of the 
regulations. Section 60.19(b) states:
    ``The amount of each fee will be determined based on the following 
criteria:
    (1) Direct and indirect personnel costs, including salaries and 
fringe benefits such as medical insurance and retirement,
    (2) Physical overhead, consulting, and other indirect costs 
(including materials and supplies, utilities, insurance, travel, and 
rent and depreciation on land, buildings, and equipment),
    (3) Agency management and supervisory costs,
    (4) Costs of enforcement, research, and establishment of 
regulations and guidance,
    (5) Use of electronic data processing equipment to collect and 
maintain information--the actual cost of the service, including 
computer search time, runs and printouts, and
    (6) Any other direct or indirect costs related to the provision of 
services.''
    The Department will continue to review the user fees periodically 
as required by Office of Management and Budget Circular Number A-25 and 
will revise fees as necessary. Any future changes in user fees and 
their effective dates will be announced in the Federal Register.

Carole Johnson,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024-18456 Filed 8-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P