Privacy Act Issuances

Computer Matching Program Notices Published in the Federal Register Between January 3, 2006 and December 31, 2007

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Defense Logistics Agency

[DoD–2006–OS–0078]

Privacy Act of 1974; Notice of a Computer Matching Program

AGENCY:

Defense Manpower Data Center, Defense Logistics Agency, DoD.

ACTION:

Notice a computer matching program.

SUMMARY:

Subsection (e)(12) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (5 U.S.C. 552a) requires agencies to publish advance notice of any proposed or revised computer matching program by the matching agency for public comment. The DoD, as the matching agency under the Privacy Act is hereby giving notice to the record subjects of a computer matching program between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and DoD that their records are being matched by computer. The purpose of this agreement is to verify an individual's continuing eligibility for VA benefits by identifying VA disability benefit recipients who return to active duty and to ensure that benefits are terminated if appropriate.

DATES:

This proposed action will become effective June 12, 2006 and matching may commence unless changes to the matching program are required due to public comments or by Congressional or by Office of Management and Budget objections. Any public comment must be received before the effective date.

ADDRESSES:

Any interested party may submit written comments to the Director, Defense Privacy Office, 1901 South Bell Street, Suite 920, Arlington, VA 22202–4512.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Vahan Moushegian, Jr., at telephone (703) 607–2942.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Pursuant to subsection (o) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (5 U.S.C. 552a), the DMDC and VA have concluded an agreement to conduct a computer matching program between the agencies. The purpose of this agreement is to verify an individual's continuing eligibility for VA benefits by identifying VA disability benefit recipients who return to active duty and to ensure that benefits are terminated if appropriate.

The parties to this agreement have determined that a computer matching program is the most efficient, expeditious, and effective means of obtaining the information needed by the VA to identify ineligible VA disability compensation recipients who have returned to active duty. This matching agreement will identify those veterans who have returned to active duty, but are still receiving disability compensation. If this identification is not accomplished by computer matching, but is done manually, the cost would be prohibitive and it is possible that not all individuals would be identified.

A copy of the computer matching agreement between VA and DMDC is available upon request to the public. Requests should be submitted to the address caption above or to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefit Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420.

Set forth below is the notice of the establishment of a computer matching program required by paragraph 6.c. of the Office of Management and Budget Guidelines on computer matching published in the Federal Register at 54 FR 25818 on June 19, 1989.

The matching agreement, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) of the Privacy Act, and an advance copy of this notice was submitted on April 30, 2006, to the House Committee on Government Reform, the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, and the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget pursuant to paragraph 4d of Appendix I to OMB Circular No. A–130, "Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records about Individuals," dated February 8, 1996 (61 FR 6435).

Dated: May 4, 2006.

L.M. Bynum,

OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.

Notice of a Computer Matching Program Between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense for Verification of Disability Compensation

A. Participating Agencies

Participants in this computer matching program are the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) of the Department of Defense (DoD). The VA is the source agency, i.e., the activity disclosing the records for the purpose of the match. The DMDC is the specific recipient activity or matching agency, i.e., the agency that actually performs the computer matching.

B. Purpose of the Match

The purpose of this agreement is to verify an individual's continuing eligibility for VA benefits by identifying VA disability benefit recipients who return to active duty and to ensure that benefits are terminated if appropriate. VA will provide identifying information on disability compensation recipients to DMDC to match against a file of active duty (including full-time National Guard and Reserve) personnel. The purpose is to identify those recipients who have returned to active duty and are ineligible to receive VA compensation so that benefits can be adjusted or terminated, if in order.

C. Authority for Conducting the Match

The legal authority for conducting the matching program for use in the administration of VA's Compensation and Pension Benefits Program is contained in 38 U.S.C. 5304(c), Prohibition Against Duplication of Benefits, which precludes pension, compensation, or retirement pay on account of any person's own service, for any period for which he receives active duty pay. The head of any Federal department or agency shall provide, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 5106, such information as requested by VA for the purpose of determining eligibility for, or amount of benefits, or verifying other information with respect thereto.

D. Records To Be Matched

The systems of records maintained by the respective agencies under the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552a, from which records will be disclosed for the purpose of this computer match are as follows:

VA will use the system of records identified as "VA Compensation, Pension and Education and Rehabilitation Records—V (58 VA 21/22)," first published at 41 FR 9294, March 3, 1976, and last amended at 70 FR 34186, June 13, 2005, with other amendments, as cited therein. Attachment 4 is a copy of the system notice with the appropriate routine use, i.e., RU 46, annotated.

DoD will use the system of records identified as S322.10 DMDC, entitled, "Defense Manpower Data Center Data Base," last published at 69 FR 31974, June 8, 2004, as amended by 69 FR 67117, November 16, 2004. Attachment 5 is a copy of the system notice with the appropriate routine use, i.e., RU 1(d)(1), annotated.

E. Description of Computer Matching Program

The Veterans Benefits Administration will provide DMDC with an electronic file which contains specified data elements of individual VA disability compensation recipients. Upon receipt of the electronic file, DMDC will perform a computer match using all nine digits of the SSNs in the VA file against a DMDC computer database. The DMDC database consists of personnel records of active duty (including full-time National Guard and Reserve) military members. Matching records, "hits" based on the SSN, will produce the member's name, branch of service, and unit designation, and other pertinent data elements. The hits will be furnished to the Veterans Benefits Administration which is responsible for verifying and determining that the data on the DMDC electronic reply file are consistent with the source file and for resolving any discrepancies or inconsistencies on an individual basis. The Veterans Benefits Administration will also be responsible for making final determinations as to positive identification, eligibility for benefits, and verifying any other information with respect thereto.

The electronic file provided by VA will contain information on approximately 2.5 million disability compensation recipients.

The DMDC computer database file contains approximately 1.5 million records of active duty military members, including full-time National Guard and Reserve.

F. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

This computer matching program is subject to public comment and review by Congress and the Office of Management and Budget. If the mandatory 30 day period for comment has expired and no comments are received and if no objections are raised by either Congress or the Office of Management and Budget within 40 days of being notified of the proposed match, the computer matching program becomes effective and the respective agencies may begin the exchange at a mutually agreeable time and thereafter on a quarterly basis. By agreement between VA and DMDC, the matching program will be in effect for 18 months with an option to renew for 12 additional months unless one of the parties to the agreement advises the other by written request to terminate or modify the agreement.

G. Address for Receipt of Public Comments or Inquiries

Director, Defense Privacy Office, 1901 South Bell Street, Suite 920, Arlington, VA 22202–4512. Telephone (703) 607–2943.

[71 FR 2476, May 11, 2006]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary of Defense

[DOD–2006–OS–0197]

Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program

AGENCY:

Defense Manpower Data Center, Defense Logistics Agency, DoD.

ACTION:

Notice of a computer matching program.

SUMMARY:

Subsection (e)(12) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a), requires agencies to publish advanced notice of any proposed or revised computer matching program by the matching agency for public comment. The Department of Defense (DoD) as the matching agency under the Privacy Act, is hereby giving notice to the record subjects of a computer matching program between Social Security Administration (SSA) and the DoD that their records are being matched by computer.

The Social Security Act requires SSA to verify, with independent or collateral sources, information provided to SSA by recipients of SSI payments and beneficiaries of SVB benefits. The SSI and SVB recipient/beneficiary provides information about eligibility/entitlement factors and other relevant information. SSA obtains additional information as necessary before making any determinations of eligibility/payment or entitlement/benefit amounts or adjustments thereto. With respect to military retirement payments to SSI recipients and SVB beneficiaries who are retired members of the Uniformed Services or their survivors, SSA proposes to accomplish this task by computer matching with the DoD.

DATES:

This proposed action will become effective October 20, 2006, and matching may commence unless changes to the matching program are required due to public comments or by Congressional or by Office of Management and Budget objections. Any public comment must be received before the effective date.

ADDRESSES:

Any interested party may submit written comments to the Director, Defense Privacy Office, 1901 South Bell Street, Suite 920, Arlington, VA 22202–4512.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Vahan Moushegian, Jr. at (703) 607–2943.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Pursuant to subsection (o) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (5 U.S.C. 552a), the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) and SSA have concluded an agreement to conduct a computer matching program.

The parties to this agreement have determined that a computer matching program is the efficient, expeditious, and effective means of obtaining and processing the information needed by the SSA under the Social Security Act to verify the eligibility/entitlement of, and to verify payment/benefit amounts for, certain SSI and SVB recipients/beneficiaries. Computer matching also will produce the required data to calculate and make any necessary adjustments of SSI payments and SVB benefits. The principal alternative to using a computer matching program would be to conduct a manual comparison of DoD payment records with a list of SSI and SVB recipients/beneficiaries. Conducting such a manual match would clearly impose a considerable administrative burden, constitute a greater intrusion on the individual's privacy, and would result in additional delay in the eventual SSI payment and SVB benefit or recovery of unauthorized or erroneous payments/benefits. Using the computer matching program, the information exchange between the parties can be accomplished within 30 days.

A copy of the computer matching agreement between SSA and DoD is available upon request. Requests should be submitted to the address caption above or to the Office of Payment Policy, Office of Income Security Programs, Office of Disability and Income Security Programs, Social Security Administration, 0106 RRCC, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235.

The matching agreement, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) of the Privacy Act, and an advance copy of this notice was submitted on September 12, 2006, to the House Committee on Government Reform, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget pursuant to paragraph 4d of Appendix I to OMB Circular No. A–130, "Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records about Individuals," dated February 8, 1996 (February 20, 1996, 61 FR 6427).

Dated: September 14, 2006.

C.R. Choate,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Office, Department of Defense.

Computer Matching Program Between the Social Security Administration and the Department of Defense for Verification of Social Security Supplemental Security Income Payments and Special Veterans Benefits

A. Participating Agencies

Participants in this computer matching program are the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) of the Department of Defense (DoD). The SSA is the source agency, i.e., the activity disclosing the records for the purpose of the match. The DMDC is the specific recipient activity or matching agency, i.e., the agency that actually performs the computer matching.

B. Purpose of the Match

The Social Security Act requires SSA to verify, with independent or collateral sources, information provided to SSA by recipients of SSI payments and beneficiaries of SVB benefits. The SSI and SVB recipient/beneficiaries provides information about eligibility/entitlement factors and other relevant information. SSA obtains additional information as necessary before making any determinations of eligibility/payment or entitlement/benefit amounts or adjustments thereto. With respect to military retirement payments to SSI recipients and SVB beneficiaries who are retired members of the Uniformed Services or their survivors, SSA proposes to accomplish this task by computer matching with the DOD.

C. Authority for Conducting the Match

The legal authority for the matching program is contained in sections 1631(e)(1)(B), (f), and 806(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(e)(1)(B), (f) and 1006(b)).

D. Records to be Matched

The systems of records maintained by the respective agencies under the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, from which records will be disclosed for the purpose of this computer match are as follows:

SSA will use records from a system of records identified as 60–0103, entitled "Supplemental Security Income Record and Special Veterans Benefits, SSA/ODSSIS", last published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 1830, January 11, 2006.

DMDC will use records from a system of records identified as S322.10 DMDC, entitled "Defense Manpower Data Center Data Base," last published in the Federal Register at 69 FR 31974, June 8, 2004, as amended at 69 FR 67117, November 16, 2004.

E. Description of Computer Matching Program

SSA, as the source agency, will provide DMDC with an electronic file which contains the data elements. Upon receipt of the electronic file, DMDC, as the recipient agency, will perform a computer match using all nine digits of the SSN of the SSI/SVB file against a DMDC database which contains the data elements. The DMDC database consists of extracts of personnel and pay records of retired members of the uniformed services or their survivors. The "hits" or matches will be furnished to SSA. SSA is responsible for verifying and determining that the data on the DMDC electronic reply file are consistent with the SSA source file and resolving any discrepancies or inconsistencies on an individual basis. SSA will also be responsible for making final determinations as to eligibility for /entitlement to, or amount of payments/benefits, their continuation or needed adjustments, or any recovery of overpayments as a result of the match.

1. The electronic file provided by SSA will contain approximately 8.6 million records extracted from the SSR/SVB.

2. The electronic DMDC database contains records on approximately 2.3 million retired uniformed service members or their survivors.

F. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

This computer matching program is subject to public comment and review by Congress and the Office of Management and Budget. If the mandatory 30 day period for comment has expired and no comments are received and if no objections are raised by either Congress. The Office of Management and Budget within 40 days of being notified of the proposed match, the computer matching program becomes effective and the respective agencies may begin the exchange at a mutually agreeable time on a quarterly basis, shifting to a monthly basis, provided DoD consents, when and if the computer system work can be completed to effectuate the increased frequency. By agreement between SSA and DMDC, the matching program will be in effect for 18 months with an option to renew for 12 additional months unless one of the parties to the agreement advises the other by written request to terminate or modify the agreement.

G. Address for Receipt of Public Comments or Inquiries

Director, Defense Privacy Office, 1901 South Bell Street, Suite 920, Arlington, VA 22202–4512. Telephone (703) 607–2943.

[71 FR 54981, September 20, 2006]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program

AGENCY:

Department of Education.

ACTION:

Notice—Computer Matching between the U.S. Department of Education and the Social Security Administration.

SUMMARY:

Pursuant to the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100–503, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines on the conduct of computer matching programs, notice is hereby given of the renewal of the computer matching program between the U.S. Department of Education (ED) (recipient agency), and the Social Security Administration (SSA) (the source agency). This renewal of the computer matching program between SSA and ED will become effective as explained below.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100–503), the OMB guidelines on the conduct of computer matching programs (see 54 FR 25818, June 19, 1989), and OMB Circular A–130, we provide the following information:

1. Names of Participating Agencies

The U.S. Department of Education and the Social Security Administration.

2. Purpose of the Match

The purpose of this matching program between ED and SSA is to assist the Secretary of Education in her obligation to verify immigration status and social security numbers (SSN) under 20 U.S.C. 1091(g) and (p). The SSA will verify the issuance of an SSN to, and the citizenship status of, those students and parents who provide their SSNs in the course of applying for aid under a student financial assistance program authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). Verification of this information by SSA will help ED satisfy its obligation to ensure that individuals applying for financial assistance meet eligibility requirements imposed by the HEA.

Verification by this computer matching program effectuates the purpose of the HEA because it provides an efficient and comprehensive method of verifying the accuracy of each individual's SSN and claim to a citizenship status that permits that individual to qualify for Title IV, HEA assistance.

3. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

ED is authorized to participate in the matching program under sections 484(p) (20 U.S.C. 1091(p)); 484(g) (20 U.S.C. 1091(g)); 483(a)(7) (20 U.S.C. 1090(a)(7)); and 428B(f)(2) (20 U.S.C. 1078–2(f)(2)) of the HEA.

The SSA is authorized to participate in the matching program under section 1106(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1306(a)) and the regulations promulgated pursuant to that section (20 CFR part 401).

4. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Match

The Federal Student Aid Application File (18–11–01), which contains the information to determine an applicant's eligibility for Federal student financial assistance, and the ED PIN Registration System of Records (18–11–12), which contains the applicant's information to receive an ED PIN, will be matched against SSA's Master Files of Social Security Number Holders and SSN Applications System, SSA/OEEAS, 60–0058, which maintains records about each individual who has applied for and obtained an SSN.

5. Privacy Impact Assessment

Section 208 of the E-Government Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note) requires ED to conduct the following privacy impact assessment of this information collection:

The information collected by ED under this computer matching agreement is the verification of SSNs and citizenship by SSA, for the purpose of assisting ED to satisfy its obligation to ensure that an individual applying for financial assistance meets the requirements imposed under the HEA. This verification is mandated by the HEA. The information obtained from SSA by ED will only be used as provided for under Section X of the agreement. Notice that ED verifies an individual's SSN through a computer matching agreement with agencies such as SSA is provided to individuals in the Privacy and Security section of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and in Federal student loan program forms; submission of a FAFSA and participation in the Federal student loan programs are voluntary. The information obtained from SSA under this computer matching agreement will be secured pursuant to the procedures described in Section IX of the agreement. No new system of records is being created for this collection because, as noted above, routine uses permitting the disclosure of records to allow for the verification of SSNs are already included in the Systems of Records Notices for Federal student aid programs. Thus, this collection comports with applicable Privacy Act standards and Section 208.

6. Effective Dates of the Matching Program

This matching program must be approved by the Data Integrity Board of each agency. This matching agreement will become effective on: (1) April 10, 2006; (2) 40 days after the approved agreement is sent to Congress and OMB (or later if OMB objects to some or all of the agreement); or (3) 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register, whichever date is last.

The matching program will continue for 18 months after the effective date and may be extended for an additional 12 months thereafter, if the conditions specified in 5 U.S.C. 552(o)(2)(D) have been met.

7. Address for Receipt of Public Comments or Inquiries

Individuals wishing to comment on this matching program, or to obtain additional information about the program, including a copy of the computer matching agreement between ED and SSA, should contact Ms. Marya Dennis, Management and Program Analyst, U.S. Department of Education, Union Center Plaza, 830 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20202–5454. Telephone: (202) 377–3385. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339.

Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding paragraph.

Electronic Access to This Document

You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister/index.aspx.

To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1–888–293–6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512–1530.

Note:

The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.aspx.

Dated: February 15, 2006.

Theresa S. Shaw,

Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid.

[71 FR 9109, February 22, 2006]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program

AGENCY:

Department of Education.

ACTION:

Notice of renewal of the computer matching program between the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

SUMMARY:

Pursuant to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Final Guidance Interpreting the Provisions of Public Law 100–503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, notice is hereby given of the renewal of the computer matching program between the U.S. Department of Education (ED) (the recipient agency) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) (the source agency). After the ED and VA Data Integrity Boards approve a new computer matching agreement, the computer matching program will begin on the effective date as specified in the agreement and as indicated in paragraph 5, below.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, the OMB Final Guidance Interpreting the Provisions of Public Law 100–503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (54 FR 25818, June 19, 1989), and OMB Circular No. A–130, Appendix I (65 FR 77677, December 12, 2000), the following information is provided:

1. Names of Participating Agencies

The U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

2. Purpose of the Match

The purpose of this matching program between ED and VA is to verify the veteran's status of applicants for financial assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), who claim to be veterans.

The Secretary of Education is authorized by the HEA to administer the Title IV programs and to enforce the terms and conditions of the HEA.

Section 480(c)(1) of the HEA defines the term "veteran" to mean "any individual who (A) has engaged in the active duty in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard; and (B) was released under a condition other than dishonorable." (20 U.S.C. 1087vv(c)(1)). Under section 480(d)(3) of the HEA, an applicant who is a veteran (as defined in section 480(c)(1)) is considered an independent student for purposes of Title IV, HEA program assistance eligibility, and therefore does not have to provide parental income and asset information to apply for Title IV, HEA program assistance. (20 U.S.C. 1087vv(d)(3)).

3. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

ED is authorized to participate in the matching program under sections 480(c) and (d)(3) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1087vv(c)(1) and (d)(3)) and 5 U.S.C. 552a. The VA is authorized to participate in the matching program under 38 U.S.C. 523.

4. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Match

ED will provide the Social Security Number and other identifying information of each applicant who indicates that he or she is a veteran. This information will be extracted from the Federal Student Aid Application File system of records (18–11–01), pursuant to routine use no. 16, as corrected by 66 FR 18758 (April 11, 2001). The ED data will be matched against the Veterans and Beneficiaries Identification and Records Location Subsystem–VA (38VA21), consistent with routine use no. 21, as added by 66 FR 30049–50 (June 4, 2001).

5. Effective Dates of the Matching Program

The matching program will become effective on (1) June 24, 2006, the day after the expiration of the current computer matching agreement (CMA); (2) thirty (30) days after this notice of the matching program has been published in the Federal Register; or (3) forty (40) days after a report concerning the matching program has been transmitted to the OMB and the Congress, whichever date occurs last. The matching program will continue for 18 months after the effective date and may be extended for an additional 12 months thereafter, if the conditions specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(o)(2)(D) have been met.

6. Address for Receipt of Public Comments or Inquiries

Individuals wishing to comment on this matching program or obtain additional information about the program, including requesting a copy of the computer matching agreement between ED and VA, should contact Ms. Marya Dennis, Management and Program Analyst, U.S. Department of Education, 63H2 Union Center Plaza, 830 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 377–3385. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339.

Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding paragraph.

Electronic Access to the Document

To use PDF you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free at 1–888–293–6498, or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512–1530.

Note:

The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.aspx.

Dated: April 28, 2006.

Theresa S. Shaw,

Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid.

[71 FR 26078, May 3, 2006]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program

AGENCY:

Department of Education.

ACTION:

Notice of computer matching program between the U.S. Department of Education (ED), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE).

SUMMARY:

Pursuant to the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100–503, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Final Guidance Interpreting the Provisions of Public Law 100–503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, 54 FR 25818 (June 19, 1989), this document gives notice of a computer matching program between ED and HHS/ACF/OCSE.

This computer matching program between the two agencies will become effective, as indicated in paragraph six of this notice. In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a), OMB Final Guidance Interpreting the Provisions of Public Law 100–503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, 54 FR 25818 (June 19, 1989), and OMB Circular No. A–130, Appendix I (65 FR 77677 (December 12, 2000)), we provide the following information:

1. Names of Participating Agencies

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is the source agency; and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), is the recipient agency.

2. Purpose of Matching Program

The purpose of the matching program is to obtain address and employment information on individuals who owe funds to the Federal government for defaulted student loans or grant overpayments awarded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. ED will use this information to initiate independent collection of these debts under the provisions of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1982 when voluntary payment is not forthcoming. For individuals whose annualized wage level exceeds $16,000, these collection efforts will include orders by ED, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ); or a guaranty agency to the employing entity, pursuant to statutory, non-judicial, administrative wage garnishment authority, to withhold a portion of the disposable pay of the debtor until such time as the obligation is paid in full.

3. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

The legal authority for HHS and ED to conduct this matching program is contained in the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(j)(6)).

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

The current systems of records maintained by the respective agencies under the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552a, from which records will be disclosed for the purpose of this computer matching program are as follows:

ED: Student Financial Assistance Collection Files (18–11–07), 64 FR 30166–30169 (June 4, 1999), as amended, 64 FR 72407 (December 27, 1999). (ED has published a notice of a new system of records entitled the Common Services for Borrowers (CSB) system (18–11–16), 71 FR 3503 (January 23, 2006), which, once it is fully phased in, will replace ED's Student Financial Assistance Collection Files system of records.)

OCSE: The National Directory of New Hires database maintained in the Location and Collection System (09–90–0074), 70 FR 21200 (April 25, 2005).

5. Description of Computer Matching Program

ED administers student financial assistance programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). OCSE maintains a database that consists of three separate components. The first component, the new hire or "W4" file, contains all newly hired employees as reported from the State Directory of New Hires (SDNH) and directly from Federal agencies. The second component, the quarterly wage or "QW" file, contains quarterly wage information on individual employees, as received from Federal agencies and States. The third component, the unemployment insurance or "UI" file, contains unemployment insurance information on individuals who have received, or made application for, unemployment benefits, as reported by the State Workforce Agency or other State agencies responsible for the implementation of the Unemployment Insurance Program.

This matching agreement between ED and HHS/ACF/OCSE will assist ED, and other entities with whom ED shares the data, in locating and collecting funds from those individuals who are in default on loans awarded under Title IV of the HEA or owe an obligation to refund an overpayment of a grant awarded under Title IV of the HEA. The primary identifying elements that the two agencies will match are:

ED: First and Last Name, and Social Security Number (SSN) of delinquent debtors. OCSE: First and Last Name, and SSN of all current and newly hired employees and claimants for unemployment insurance benefits. OCSE will verify the Name and SSN combination, and perform the computer match using all nine digits of the SSN of the ED file against the OCSE computer database. OCSE will produce a file containing the name, SSN, address, employer, wage amount, and employer's address for each individual identified, based on the match. The file containing the results of the match will be provided to ED.

ED is responsible for determining whether the data in the NDNH reply file is consistent with ED's source file and for resolving any discrepancies or inconsistencies on an individual basis. ED will also be responsible for ensuring that no adverse action is taken against any individual, as a result of information produced by the matching program, until the information has been independently verified and the individual receives a notice from ED containing a statement of its findings and informing the individual of the opportunity to contest such findings.

6. Effective Dates of the Matching Program

The matching program will become effective on (1) May 16, 2006; (2) 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register; or (3) 40 days after the signing of the transmittal letters sending the computer matching program report to Congress and OMB, unless OMB disapproves the agreement within the 40 day review period or grants a waiver of 10 days of the review period, whichever date occurs last. The matching program will continue for 18 months after the effective date, and may be extended for an additional 12 months thereafter, if the conditions specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(o)(2)(D) have been met.

7. Address for Receipt of Public Comments or Inquiries

If you wish to comment on this matching program or obtain additional information about the program including a copy of the computer matching agreement between ED and HHS/ACF/OCSE, contact Marian E. Currie, Management and Program Analyst, U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Union Center Plaza, room 41B4, Washington, DC 20202–5320, Telephone: (202) 377–3212; or, as a secondary contact: Naomi Randolph, Supervisory, Management and Program Analyst, U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Union Center Plaza, room 44E3, Washington, DC 20202–5320, Telephone: (202) 377–4367.

If you use a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339.

Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding paragraph.

Electronic Access to This Document

You may view this document, as well as all other Department of Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: &fnl;http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister/index.aspx.

To use PDF you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1–888–293–6498; or in the Washington, DC area at (202) 512–1530.

You may also view this document in text or PDF at the following site: http://ifap.ed.gov/IFAPWebApp/currentFRegistersPag.jsp.

Note:

Dated: May 4, 2006.

Theresa S. Shaw,

Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid.

[71 FR 26934, May 9, 2006]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program

AGENCY:

Department of Education.

ACTION:

Notice—Computer Matching between the Department of Education and the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

SUMMARY:

Pursuant to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Final Guidance Interpreting the Provisions of Public Law 100–503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, (54 FR 25818 (June 19, 1989)) and OMB Circular A–130, Appendix I (65 FR 77677 (December 12, 2000)) notice is hereby given of the computer matching program between the Department of Education (ED) (the recipient agency), and the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), (the source agency).

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, and OMB Circular A–130, the following information is provided:

1. Names of Participating Agencies.

The U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, USCIS.

2. Purpose of the Match.

The matching program entitled "Verification Division USCIS/ED" will permit ED to confirm the immigration status of alien applicants for, or recipients of, financial assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), as authorized by section 484(g) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1091(g). The Title IV programs include: the Federal Pell Grant Program; the Academic Competitiveness Grant Program; the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant Program; the Federal Perkins Loan Program; the Federal Work-Study Program; the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program; the Federal Family Education Loan Program; the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program; the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program; and the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.

3. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program.

The information contained in the USCIS data base is referred to as the Verification Information System (VIS), and is authorized under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), Public Law 99–603. ED seeks access to the VIS database for the purpose of confirming the immigration status of applicants for assistance, as authorized by section 484(g) of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. 1091(g), and consistent with the Title IV student eligibility requirements of section 484(a)(5), 20 U.S.C. 1091(a)(5) of the HEA. USCIS is authorized to participate in this immigration status verification under section 103 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, 8 U.S.C. 1103.

4. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered.

The records to be used in the match and the roles of the matching participants are described as follows: Through the use of user identification codes and passwords, authorized persons from ED will transmit electronically data from its Privacy Act system of records entitled, "Federal Student Aid Application File (18–11–01)" to USCIS. The data will include the alien registration number, the First and Last Name, date of birth, current Social Security Number and the answer to the question, "Are you male or female?" of the alien applicant for, or recipient of, Title IV assistance. This action will initiate a search for corresponding data elements in a USCIS Privacy Act system of records entitled "Verification Information System Records Notice (DHS–2007–0010)." Where there is a match of records, the system will add the following data to the record and return the file to ED: the Primary or Secondary Verification Number, a code indicating whether the student was confirmed to be an eligible non-citizen or if a determination could not be made, the date of entry into the U.S., country of birth, and the USCIS status code of the alien applicant or recipient. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(p), ED will not suspend, terminate, reduce, or make a final denial of any Title IV assistance to such individual, or take other adverse action against such individual, as a result of information produced by such a match, until (1)(a) ED has independently verified the information; or (b) the Data Integrity Board of ED determines in accordance with guidance issued by the Director of the OMB that (i) The information is limited to identification and amount of benefits paid by ED under a Federal benefit program; and (ii) there is a high degree of confidence that the information provided to ED is accurate; (2) the individual receives a notice from ED containing a statement of its findings and informing the individual of the opportunity to contest such findings by submitting documentation demonstrating a satisfactory immigration status within 30 days of receipt of the notice; and (3) 30 days from the date of the individual's receipt of such notice has expired.

5. Effective Dates of the Matching Program.

The matching program will become effective 40 days after a copy of the computer matching agreement, as approved by the Data Integrity Board of each agency, is sent to Congress and OMB, unless the requested ten-day waiver is approved by OMB or unless OMB objects to some or all of the agreement, or 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register, whichever date is later. The matching program will continue for 18 months after the effective date and may be extended for an additional 12 months thereafter, if the conditions specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(o)(2)(D) have been met.

6. Address for Receipt of Public Comments or Inquires.

Ms. Marya Dennis, Management and Program Analyst, U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, Union Center Plaza, 830 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002–5345. Telephone: (202) 377–3385. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339.

Electronic Access to This Document

To use the PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1–888–293–6498; or in the Washington, DC, area (202) 512–1530.

Note:

The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.aspx.

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a; Public Law 100–503.

Dated: September 13, 2007.

Lawrence A. Warder,

Acting Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid.

[72 FR 53235, Sep 18, 2007]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services

Privacy Act of 1974; CMS Computer Match No. 2006–02, HHS Computer Match No. 0602

AGENCY:

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

ACTION:

Notice of Computer Matching Program.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, this notice establishes a computer matching agreement between CMS and the Department of Defense (DoD). We have provided background information about the proposed matching program in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. The Privacy Act requires that CMS provide an opportunity for interested persons to comment on the proposed matching program. We may defer implementation of this matching program if we receive comments that persuade us to defer implementation. See DATES section below for comment period.

DATES:

CMS filed a report of the Computer Matching Program (CMP) with the Chair of the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on March 28, 2006. We will not disclose any information under a matching agreement until 40 days after filing a report to OMB and Congress or 30 days after publication, whichever is later.

ADDRESSES:

The public should address comments to: Walter Stone, CMS Privacy Officer, Division of Privacy Compliance Data Development (DPCDD), Enterprise Databases Group (EDG), Office of Information Services (OIS), CMS, Mail stop N2–04–27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244–1850. Comments received will be available for review at this location, by appointment, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., eastern daylight time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cheryl Sample, Senior Privacy Specialist, DPCDD, EDG, OIS, CMS, Mail stop N2–04–27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244–1850. The telephone number is (410) 786–7185, or facsimile (410) 786–5636.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Description of the Matching Program

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 describing the manner in which computer matching involving Federal agencies 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 agencies participating in the matching programs;

2. Obtain the Data Integrity Board approval of the match agreements;

3. Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress and OMB;

4. Notify applicants and beneficiaries that the records are subject to matching; and,

5. Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating, or denying an individual's benefits or payments.

B. CMS Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

CMS has taken action to ensure that all CMPs that this Agency participates in comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended.

Dated: February 15, 2006.

Lori G. Davis,

Acting Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

CMS Computer Match No. 2006–02

HHS Computer Match No. 0602

NAME:

"Disclosure of Enrollment and Eligibility Information for Military Health System Beneficiaries Who are Medicare Eligible."

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:

Level Three Privacy Act Sensitive.

PARTICIPATING AGENCIES:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); and Department of Defense (DoD), Manpower Data Center (DMDC), Defense Enrollment and Eligibility Reporting System Office (DEERS), and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs)/TRICARE Management Activity (TMA).

AUTHORITY FOR CONDUCTING MATCHING PROGRAM:

This CMA is executed to comply with the Privacy Act of 1974 (Title 5 United States Code (U.S.C.) 552a), as amended, (as amended by Pub. L. 100–503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A–130, titled "Management of Federal Information Resources" at 61 Federal Register (FR) 6435 (February 20, 1996), and OMB guidelines pertaining to computer matching at 54 FR 25818 (June 19, 1989).

Prior to 1991, CHAMPUS entitlement terminated when any individual became eligible for Medicare Part A on a non-premium basis. The National Defense Authorization Act(s) (NDAA) for Fiscal Years (FY) 1992 and 1993 (Pub. L. 102–190) section 704, provide for reinstatement of CHAMPUS as second payer for beneficiaries entitled to Medicare on the basis of disability/End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) only if they also enroll in Part B.

This agreement implements the information matching provisions of the NDAA, FY 2001 (Pub. L. 106–398) Sections 711 and 712; the NDAA, FY 1993 (Pub. L. 102–484) Section 705; and the NDAA, FY 1992 (Pub. L. 102–190) Sections 704 and 713.

Section 732 of the FY 1996 NDAA (Pub. L. 104–106), directed the administering Secretaries to develop a mechanism for notifying beneficiaries of their ineligibility for CHAMPUS when loss of eligibility is due to disability status.

PURPOSE (S) OF THE MATCHING PROGRAM:

The purpose of this agreement is to establish the conditions, safeguards and procedures under which CMS will disclose Medicare enrollment information to the DoD, DMDC, DEERS, and Health Affairs/TMA. The disclosure by CMS will provide TMA with the information necessary to determine if Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries (other than dependents of active duty personnel), who are Medicare eligible, are eligible to receive continued military health care benefits. This disclosure will provide TMA with the information necessary to meet the Congressional mandate outlined in legislative provisions in the NDAA listed above.

Current law requires TMA to discontinue military health care benefits to MHS beneficiaries who are Medicare eligible and under the age of 65 when they become eligible for Medicare Part A because of disability/ESRD unless they are enrolled in Medicare Part B. Current law also requires TMA to provide health care and medical benefits to MHS beneficiaries who are Medicare eligible (commonly referred to as the dual eligible population) over the age of 65 who are enrolled in the supplementary medical insurance program under Part B of the Medicare program. This CMA will combine both groups of the MHS beneficiary population described above into one single database to more effectively carry out this matching program. In order for TMA to meet the requirements of current law, CMS agrees to disclose certain Part A and Part B enrollment data on this dual eligible population, which will be used to determine a beneficiary's eligibility for care under CHAMPUS/TRICARE. DEERS will receive the results of the computer match and provide the information to TMA for use in its matching program.

This computer matching agreement supersedes all existing data exchange agreements between CMS and DMDC applicable to the exchange of personal data for purposes of disclosing enrollment and eligibility information for MHS beneficiaries who are Medicare eligible.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS AND INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE MATCH:

DEERS will furnish CMS with an electronic file on a monthly basis extracted from the DEERS' systems of records containing social security numbers (SSN) for all MHS beneficiaries who may also be eligible for Medicare benefits. CMS will match the DEERS finder file against its "Medicare Beneficiary Database" system of records (System No. 09–70–0536), and will validate the identification of the beneficiary and provide the Health Insurance Claim Number that matches against the SSN and date of birth provided by DEERS, and also provide the Medicare Part A entitlement status and Part B enrollment status of the beneficiary. CMS's data will help TMA to determine a beneficiary's eligibility for continued care under TRICARE. DEERS will receive the results of the computer match and provide the information provided to TMA for use in its program.

DESCRIPTION OF RECORDS TO BE USED IN THE MATCHING PROGRAM:

DoD will use the SOR identified as S322.50, entitled "Defense Eligibility Records," at 69 Federal Register (FR) 33376 (June 15, 2004), as amended by 69 FR 67118 (November 16, 2004). SSNs of DoD beneficiaries will be released to CMS pursuant to the routine use set forth in the system notice, which provides that data may be released to HHS "for support of the DEERS enrollment process and to identify individuals not entitled to health care."

Identification and Medicare status of DoD eligible beneficiaries will be provided to TMA to implement the statutory program. Therefore, eligibility information may also be maintained in the SOR identified as DHA 07, entitled "Military Health Information System (MHIS)," at 70 FR 44574 (August 3, 2005).

The release of the data for CMS is covered under both the "Medicare Beneficiary Database," System No. 09–70–0536 published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 11420 (March 7, 2006). Matched data will be released to DEERS pursuant to the routine use number 2 as set forth in the system notice.

INCLUSIVE DATES OF THE MATCH:

The Matching Program shall become effective no sooner than 40 days after the report of the Matching Program is sent to OMB and Congress, or 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, which ever is later. The matching program will continue for 18 months from the effective date and may be renewed for an additional 12 month period as long as the statutory language for the match exists and other conditions are met.

[71 FR 16788, April 4, 2006]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program

AGENCY:

ACF, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice of a computer matching program.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended by Pub. L. 100–503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, we are publishing a notice of a computer matching program. The purpose of this computer match is to identify specific individuals who are receiving benefits from the VA and also receiving payments pursuant to various benefit programs administered by both HHS and Department of Agriculture. ACF will facilitate this program on behalf of the State Public Assistance Agencies (SPAAs) that participate in the Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS) for verification of continued eligibility for public assistance. The match will utilize Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) records and SPAA records.

DATES:

ACF will file a report of the subject matching program with the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The dates for the matching program will be effective as indicated below.

ADDRESSES:

Interested parties may comment on this notice by writing to the Director, Office of Financial Services, Office of Administration, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20047. All comments received will be available for public inspection at this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Director, Office of Financial Services, Office of Administration, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20047. Telephone Number (202) 401–7237.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Pub. L. 100–503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by adding certain protections for individuals applying for and receiving federal benefits. The law regulates the use of computer matching by federal agencies when records in a system of records are matched with other federal, state and local government records.

Federal agencies which provide or receive records in computer matching programs must:

1. Negotiate written agreements with source agencies;

2. Provide notification to applicants and beneficiaries that their records are subject to matching;

3. Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, or terminating an individual's benefits or payments;

4. Furnish detailed reports to Congress and OMB; and,

5. Establish a Data Integrity Board that must approve matching agreements.

This computer matching program meets the requirements of Pub. L. 100–503.

Dated: June 21, 2006.

Curtis L. Coy,

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, ACF.

Notice of Computer Matching Program

A. Participating Agencies

VA and the SPAAs.

B. Purpose of the Match

To identify specific individuals who are receiving benefits from VA and also receiving payments pursuant to HHS and Department of Agriculture benefit programs, and to verify their continued eligibility for such benefits. SPAAs will contact affected individuals and seek to verify the information resulting from the match before initiating any adverse actions based on the match results.

C. Authority for Conducting the Match

The authority for conducting the matching program is contained in section 402(a)(6) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 602(a)(6)].

D. Records To Be Matched

VA will disclose records from its Privacy Act system of records entitled "Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation Records." (58 VA 21/22 first published at 41 FR 9294 (March 3, 1976), and last amended at 70 FR 34186 (June 13, 2005)). VA's disclosure of information for use in this computer match is listed as a routine use in this system of records.

VA, as the source agency, will prepare electronic files containing the names and other personal identifying data of eligible veterans receiving benefits. These records are matched electronically against SPAA files consisting of data regarding monthly Medicaid, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), general assistance, and Food Stamp beneficiaries.

1. The electronic files provided by the SPAAs will contain client names and Social Security numbers (SSNs.)

2. The resulting output returned to the SPAAs will contain personal identifiers, including names, SSNs, employers, current work or home addresses, etc.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

The effective date of the matching agreement and date when matching may actually begin shall be at the expiration of the 40-day review period for OMB and Congress, or 30 days after publication of the matching notice in the Federal Register, whichever date is later. The matching program will be in effect for 18 months from the effective date, with an option to renew for 12 additional months, unless one of the parties to the agreement advises the others by written request to terminate or modify the agreement.

[71 FR 40128, July 14, 2006]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services

Privacy Act of 1974; CMS Computer Match No. 2006–06, HHS Computer Match No. 0603

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION:

Notice of Computer Matching Program (CMP).

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, this notice announces the establishment of a CMP that CMS plans to conduct with various Participating States. We have provided information about the matching program in the "Supplementary Information" section below. The Privacy Act provides an opportunity for interested persons to comment on the matching program. We may defer implementation of this matching program if we receive comments that persuade us to defer implementation. See "Effective Dates" section below for comment period.

DATES:

Effective Dates: CMS filed a report of the CMP with the Chair of the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on December 20, 2006. We will not disclose any information under a matching agreement until 40 days after filing a report to OMB and Congress or 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, whichever is later. We may defer implementation of this matching program if we receive comments that persuade us to defer implementation.

ADDRESSES:

The public should address comments to: CMS Privacy Officer, Division of Privacy Compliance, Enterprise Architecture and Strategy Group, Office of Information Services, CMS, Mail-stop N2–04–27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244–1850. Comments received will be available for review at this location, by appointment, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., eastern daylight time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lourdes Grindal Miller, Health Insurance Specialist, Program Integrity Group, Office of Financial Management, CMS, Mail-stop C3–02–16, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore Maryland 21244–1850. The telephone number is 410–786–1022 and e-mail is Lourdes.grindalmiller@cms.hhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Description of the Matching Program

A. General

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 agencies participating in the matching programs;

2. Obtain the Data Integrity Board approval of the match agreements;

3. Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress and OMB;

4. Notify applicants and beneficiaries that the records are subject to matching; and,

5. Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating, or denying an individual's benefits or payments.

B. CMS Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

CMS has taken action to ensure that all CMPs that this Agency participates in comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended.

Dated: December 19, 2006.

John R. Dyer,

Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service.

CMS Computer Match No. 2006–06

HHS Computer Match No. 0603

NAME:

"Computer Matching Agreement (CMA) Between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Participating States for the Disclosure of Medicare and Medicaid Information."

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:

Level Three Privacy Act Sensitive.

PARTICIPATING AGENCIES:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

All Participating States, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands.

AUTHORITY FOR CONDUCTING MATCHING PROGRAM:

This CMA is executed to comply with the Privacy Act of 1974 (Title 5 United States Code (U.S.C.) 552a), as amended, (as amended by Public Law (Pub. L.) 100–503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act (CMPPA) of 1988), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A–130, titled "Management of Federal Information Resources" at 65 Federal Register (FR) 77677 (December 12, 2000), 61 FR 6435 (February 20, 1996), and OMB guidelines pertaining to computer matching at 54 FR 25818 (June 19, 1989).

This Agreement provides for information matching fully consistent with the authority of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (the Secretary). Sections 1816 and 1842 of the Social Security Act (the Act) permits the Secretary to make audits of the records of providers as necessary to insure that proper payments are made, to assist in the application of safeguards against unnecessary utilization of services furnished by providers of services and other persons to individuals entitled to benefits, and to perform other functions as are necessary (Pub. L. 108–173 section 911, amending Title XVIII, section 1874A (42 U.S.C. 1395kk–1).

Section 1857 of the Act provides that the Secretary, or any person or organization designated by the Secretary shall have the right to "inspect or otherwise evaluate (i) the quality, appropriateness, and timeliness of services performed under the contract" (42 U.S.C. 1395w–27(d)(2)(A)); and "audit and inspect any books and records of [a Medicare Advantage] organization that pertain to services performed or determinations of amounts payable under the contract." (42 U.S.C. 1395w–27(d) (2) (B)).

Furthermore, § 1874(b) of the Act authorizes the Secretary to "contract with any person, agency, or institution to secure on a reimbursable basis such special data, actuarial information, and other information as may be necessary in the carrying out of his functions under Subchapter XVIII." (42 U.S.C. 1395kk(b).)

Section 1893 of the Act establishes the Medicare Integrity Program, under which the Secretary may contract with eligible entities to conduct a variety of program safeguard activities, including fraud review employing equipment and software technologies that surpass existing capabilities (42 U.S.C. 1395ddd)). These entities are called Program Safeguards Contractors (PSC) and Medicare Drug Integrity Contractors (MEDIC).

Pursuant to the applicable state statutes and guidelines for the Participating State charged with the administration of the Medicaid program, disclosure of the Medicaid data pursuant to this Agreement is for purposes directly connected with the administration of the Medicaid program, in compliance with 42 CFR 431.300 through 431.307. Those purposes include the detection, prosecution, and deterrence of fraud, waste and abuse (FW&A) in the Medicaid program.

PURPOSE (S) OF THE MATCHING PROGRAM:

The purpose of this Agreement is to establish the conditions, safeguards, and procedures under which CMS will conduct a computer matching program with Participating States to study claims, billing, and eligibility information to detect suspected instances of Medicare and Medicaid FW&A. CMS and the Participating State will provide a CMS contractor (hereinafter referred to as the "Custodian") with Medicare and Medicaid records pertaining to eligibility, claims, and billing which the Custodian will match in order to merge the information as necessary to conduct the match. Utilizing fraud detection software, the information will then be used to identify patterns of aberrant practices and abnormal patterns requiring further investigation. Aberrant practices and abnormal patterns identified in this matching program that constitute FW&A will involve individuals who are practitioners, providers and suppliers of services, Medicare beneficiaries, Medicaid recipients, and other individuals whose information may be maintained in the records.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS AND INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE MATCH:

This computer matching program (CMP) will enhance the ability of CMS and Participating States to detect FW&A by matching claims data, eligibility, and practitioner, provider, and supplier enrollment records of Medicare beneficiaries, practitioners, providers, and suppliers in the Participating State against records of Medicaid recipients, practitioners, providers, and suppliers in the Participating State.

DESCRIPTION OF RECORDS TO BE USED IN THE MATCHING PROGRAM:

National Claims History (NCH), System No. 09–70–0005 was published at 71 FR 67137 (November 20, 2006).

Medicare Multi-Carrier Claims System (MCS) (formerly published as the Carrier Medicare Claims Record (CMCR)), System No. 09–70–0501 was published at 71 FR 64968 (November 6, 2006).

Enrollment Database (EDB), System No. 09–70–0502 was published at 67 FR 3203 (January 23, 2002).

Fiscal Intermediary Shared System (FISS) (formerly published as the Intermediary Medicare Claims Record (IMCR), System No. 09–70–0503 was published at 71 FR 64961 (November 6, 2006).

Unique Physician/Provider Identification Number (UPIN), System No. 09–70–0525, was published at 71 FR 66535 (November 15, 2006).

Medicare Supplier Identification File (MSIF), System No. 09–70–0530 was published at 71 FR 70404 (December 4, 2006).

Provider Enrollment Chain and Ownership System (PECOS), System No. 09–70–0532 was published at 71 FR 60536 (October 13, 2006).

Medicare Beneficiary Database (MBD), System No. 09–70–0536 was published at 71 FR 70396 (December 4, 2006).

Medicare Drug Data Processing System (DDPS), System No. 09–70–0553 was published at 70 FR 58436 (October 6, 2005).

Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MARx) System, System No. 09–70–4001 was published at 70 FR 60530 (October 18, 2005).

The records files that will be made available for this matching program by the Participating State include utilization, entitlement, and provider records.

INCLUSIVE DATES OF THE MATCH:

The CMP shall become effective 40 days after the report of the matching program is sent to OMB and Congress, or 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, which ever 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.

[71 FR 78211, December 28, 2006]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services

Privacy Act of 1974: CMS Computer Match No. 2007–02; HHS Computer Match No. 0701

AGENCY:

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

ACTION:

Notice of Computer Matching Program (CMP).

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, this notice announces the establishment of a CMP that CMS plans to conduct with the Health Administration Center (HAC) of the Department of Veteran Affairs. We have provided background information about the proposed matching program in the "Supplementary Information" section below. The Privacy Act provides an opportunity for interested persons to comment on the proposed matching program. We may defer implementation of this matching program if we receive comments that persuade us to defer implementation. See EFFECTIVE DATES section below for comment period.

EFFECTIVE DATES:

CMS filed a report of the CMP with the Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, and the Acting Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on 05/16/2007. We will not disclose any information under a matching agreement until 40 days after filing a report to OMB and Congress or 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, whichever is later. We may defer implementation of this matching program if we receive comments that persuade us to defer implementation.

ADDRESSES:

The public should address comments to: Walter Stone, CMS Privacy Officer, Division of Privacy Compliance (DPC), Enterprise Architecture and Strategy Group (EASG), Office of Information Services (OIS), CMS, Mailstop N2–04–27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244–1850. Comments received will be available for review at this location, by appointment, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., eastern daylight time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cheryl Sample, Senior Privacy Specialist, DPC, EASG, OIS, CMS, Mailstop N2–04–27, 7500 Security Boulevard, N2–04–27, Baltimore, Maryland 21244–1850. The telephone number is (410) 786–7185, facsimile (410) 786–5636, or e-mail cheryl.sample@cms.hhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Description of the Matching Program

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 describing the manner in which computer matching involving Federal agencies 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 (SOR) 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 agencies participating in the matching programs;

2. Obtain the Data Integrity Board approval of the match agreements;

3. Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress and OMB;

4. Notify applicants and beneficiaries that the records are subject to matching; and,

5. Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating, or denying an individual's benefits or payments.

B. CMS Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

CMS has taken action to ensure that all CMPs that this Agency participates in comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended.

Dated: May 8, 2007.

Charlene Frizzera,

Acting Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Computer Match No. 2007–02

HHS Computer Match No. 0701

Name:

Security Classification:

Level Three Privacy Act Sensitive.

Participating Agencies:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and Health Administration Center (HAC) of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Authority for Conducting Matching Program:

This Computer Matching Program (CMP) is executed to comply with the provisions of Public Laws (Pub. L.) 93–82, 94–581, 102–190, and 107–14 (codified at Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1713, renumbered Title 38 U.S.C. 1781), which restrict CHAMPVA eligibility for benefits dependent upon a beneficiary's Medicare Part A and Part B status. This computer match will match CHAMPVA applicants and beneficiaries with Medicare Parts A and B beneficiaries.

Purpose(S) of the Matching Program:

The purpose of this computer matching agreement is to establish the conditions, safeguards and procedures under which the CMS and HAC will conduct a computer-matching program to determine entitlement to CHAMPVA benefits. Under the terms of this matching agreement, HAC will provide to CMS a list of social security numbers (SSN) for all CHAMPVA eligible beneficiaries who may also be eligible for Medicare benefits. This information is maintained in HAC's System of Records (SOR) entitled "Health Administration Center Civilian Health and Medical Program Records–VA." CMS agrees to conduct a computer match of the SSNs of beneficiaries provided by HAC against the information found in CMS's Enrollment Database (EDB) SOR. HAC will receive the results of the computer match in order to determine a beneficiary's eligibility for care under CHAMPVA.

Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Match:

Upon establishment of the CHAMPVA program under Public Law 93–82, CHAMPVA entitlement will be terminated when any individual becomes eligible for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) on a non-premium basis. Public Law 94–581 provided for reinstatement of CHAMPVA as second payer for beneficiaries aged 65 and over who exhausted a period of Medicare Part (Hospital Insurance). These beneficiaries must also be enrolled in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) in order to retain their CHAMPVA entitlement. Public Law 102–190 extended CHAMPVA benefit to age 65 for any beneficiary eligible for Medicare Part A on the basis of disability/end stage renal disease (ESRD) only if that individual is also enrolled in Medicare Part B. Public Law 107–14 provided for extending benefit coverage for beneficiaries over the age of 65 years if the beneficiary is in receipt of Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.

Description Of Records To Be Used In The Matching Program:

Systems of Records

Records Maintained by HAC

The information used in this matching program is maintained in the HAC system identified as 54VA16, entitled "Health Administration Center Civilian Health and Medical Program Records–VA," last published at 68 FR 53784 (September 12, 2003). SSNs of CHAMPVA beneficiaries will be released to CMS pursuant to the routine use number 21 as set forth in the system notice.

Records Maintained by CMS

The matching program will be conducted with data maintained by CMS in the EDB, System No. 09–70–0502, published at 67 FR 3203 (January 23, 2002). Matched data will be released to HAC pursuant to the routine use number 2 as set forth in the system notice.

Inclusive Dates of the Match:

The CMP shall become effective no sooner than 40 days after the report of the Matching Program is sent to OMB and Congress, or 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, whichever 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.

[72 FR 28698, May 22, 2007]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Privacy Act of 1974; CMS Computer Match No. 2007–03; HHS Computer Match No. 0407; SSA Computer Match No. 1048; IRS Project No. 241

AGENCY:

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

ACTION:

Notice of renewal of an existing computer matching program (CMP) that has an expiration date of April 1, 2007.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, this notice announces the renewal of an existing CMP between CMS, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Social Security Administration (SSA). We have provided information about the matching program in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. The Privacy Act provides an opportunity for interested persons to comment on the matching program. We may defer implementation of this matching program if we receive comments that persuade us to defer implementation. See "Effective Dates" section below for comment period.

DATES:

Effective Dates: CMS filed a report of the Computer Matching Program (CMP) with the Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on November 21, 2007. We will not disclose any information under a matching agreement until 40 days after filing a report to OMB and Congress or 30 days after publication in the Federal Register (FR), whichever is later.

ADDRESSES:

The public should address comments to: Walter Stone, CMS Privacy Officer, Division of Privacy Compliance, Enterprise Architecture and Strategy Group, Office of Information Services (OIS), CMS, Mail stop N2–04–27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244–1850. Comments received will be available for review at this location, by appointment, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., eastern daylight time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Albert, Technical Advisor, Division of Medicare Secondary Payer Policy and Operations, Financial Services Group, Office of Financial Management, CMS, Mailstop C3–14–16, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244–1850. The telephone number is (410) 786–7457, or e-mail at John.Albert@cms.hhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Description of the Matching Program

A. General

1. Negotiate written agreements with the other agencies participating in the matching programs;

2. Obtain the Data Integrity Board approval of the match agreements;

3. Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress and OMB;

4. Notify applicants and beneficiaries that the records are subject to matching; and,

5. Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating, or denying an individual's benefits or payments.

B. CMS Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

CMS has taken action to ensure that all CMPs that this Agency participates in comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended.

Dated: November 7, 2007.

Charlene Frizzera,

Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

CMS COMPUTER MATCH NO. 2007–03

HHS COMPUTER MATCH NO. 0407

SSA COMPUTER MATCH NO. 1048

IRS PROJECT NO. 241

NAME:

"Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Program".

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:

Level Three Privacy Act Sensitive.

PARTICIPATING AGENCIES:

Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Social Security Administration (SSA), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

AUTHORITY FOR CONDUCTING MATCHING PROGRAM:

This Matching Agreement between IRS, SSA and CMS is executed pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 (Title 5 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 552a), as amended, (as amended by Public Law (Pub. L.) 100–503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act (CMPPA) of 1988), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A–130, titled "Management of Federal Information Resources" at 61 Federal Register (FR) 6428–6435 (February 20, 1996), and OMB guidelines pertaining to computer matching at 54 FR 25818 (June 19, 1989).

This agreement implements the information matching provisions of § 6103(l)(12) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) (26 U.S.C 6103(1)(12)), and § 1862(b)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(b)(5)).

PURPOSE(S) OF THE MATCHING PROGRAM:

The purpose of this agreement is to establish the conditions under which: (1) IRS agrees to disclose return information relating to taxpayer identity to SSA, and (2) SSA agrees to disclose return information relating to beneficiary and employer identity, commingled with information disclosed by the IRS, to CMS.

These disclosures will provide CMS with information for use in determining the extent to which any Medicare beneficiary is covered under any Group Health Plan (GHP).

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS AND INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE MATCH:

IRS will disclose taxpayer identity information from the CADE Individual Master File (IMF), Treasury/IRS 24.030, published at 66 FR 63800 (December 10, 2001), and maintained at the Martinsburg Computing Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. This file includes millions of records of taxpayers who have filed Federal Individual Income Tax Returns. Project 241, IMF/Medicare Beneficiary Match, was established by IRS to facilitate this matching program.

SSA will extract identifying information of Medicare beneficiaries from the Master Beneficiary Record (MBR), SSA/OSR 60–0090, published at 71 FR 1826 (January 11, 2006) and maintained at the National Computer Center (NCC) in Baltimore, MD. This file includes records of individuals who have received and are receiving benefits under the Social Security Act. SSA will extract employer identity information from the Earnings Recording and Self-Employment Income System, SSA/0SR 60–0059, referred to as the Master Earnings File (MEF) published at 71 FR 1819 (January 11, 2006) and maintained at the NCC. This file contains earnings records of individuals including identifying information of their employees.

CMS will utilize a database, Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug System (MARx) CMS System No. 09–70–4001, published at 70 FR 60530 (October 18, 2005), maintained at the CMS Data Center, located in Baltimore, Maryland, of the GHP information received from employers containing verified instances of employment and GHP coverage for Medicare beneficiaries and Medicare-eligible spouses identified from the IMF and MEF extracts.

CMS will match GHP information against the Medicare Multi Carrier Claims System (MCS) (formerly known as Carrier Medicare Claims Records), CMS System No. 09–70–0501, published at 71 FR 64968 (November 6, 2006), maintained at the CMS Data Center, located in Baltimore, Maryland. These files contain information received from employers containing verified instances of employment and GHP coverage for Medicare beneficiaries and Medicare-eligible spouses identified from the IMF and MEF extracts.

CMS will match GHP information against the Fiscal Intermediary Shared System (FISS) (formerly known as Intermediary Medicare Claims Records, CMS System No. 09–70–0503, published at 71 FR 64961 (November 6, 2006), maintained at the CMS Data Center, located in Baltimore, Maryland. This file contains information or records needed to properly process and pay Medicare benefits to, or on behalf of, eligible individuals. The file is accessed when a claim is submitted for payment.

CMS will match GHP information against the CWF, CMS System No. 09–70–0526, published at 71 FR 64955 (November 6, 2006), which is the repository database for all current hospital and medical coverage MSP information. These files contain information or records needed to properly process and pay medical insurance benefits to, or on behalf of, entitled beneficiaries who have submitted claims for Medicare Medical Insurance Benefits (Medicare Part B). The file is accessed when a claim is submitted for payment.

CMS will match GHP information against the National Claims History (NCH), which is contained in the National Claims History File, CMS System No. 09–70–0558, published at 71 FR 67137 (November 20, 2006), maintained at the CMS Data Center, located in Baltimore, Maryland. NCH contains records needed to facilitate obtaining Medicare utilization review data that can be used to study the operation and effectiveness of the Medicare program.

INCLUSIVE DATES OF THE MATCH:

The Matching Program shall become effective 40 days after the report of the Matching Program is sent to OMB and Congress, or 30 days after publication in the FR, whichever 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.

[72 FR 6309, November 28, 2007]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE); Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program

AGENCY:

Office of Child Support Enforcement, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice of a Computer Matching Program.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) is publishing notice of a computer matching program between OCSE and state agencies administering an unemployment compensation (UC) program under Federal or state law.

DATES:

As required by the Privacy Act, HHS will file a report of the matching program with the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The matching program will be effective as of the dates indicated below.

ADDRESSES:

Interested parties may comment on this notice by writing to Linda Deimeke, Director, Division of Federal Systems, Office of Automation and Program Operations, Office of Child Support Enforcement, Administration for Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th Floor East, Washington, DC 20447. Comments received will be available for public inspection at this address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Linda Deimeke, Director, Division of Federal Systems, Office of Child Support Enforcement, Administration for Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th Floor East, Washington, DC 20447, (202) 401–5439.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, provides for certain protections for individuals applying for and receiving Federal benefits. The law governs 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.

The Privacy Act requires agencies involved in computer matching programs to:

1. Negotiate written agreements with the other agency or agencies participating in the matching programs;

2. Provide notification to applicants and beneficiaries that their records are subject to matching;

3. Verify information produced by such matching program before reducing, making a final denial of, suspending, or terminating an individual's benefits or payments;

4. Publish notice of the computer matching program in the Federal Register;

5. Furnish reports about the matching program to Congress and OMB; and

6. Obtain the approval of the matching agreement by the Data Integrity Board of any Federal agency participating in a matching program.

This matching program meets the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552a.

Dated: December 4, 2007.

Margot Bean,

Commissioner, Office of Child Support Enforcement.

Notice of Computer Matching Program

A. Participating Agencies

The participating agencies are OCSE, which is the "recipient agency," and state agencies administering unemployment compensation (UC) programs, which are the "source agencies."

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

The purpose of the matching program is to assist state agencies in the administration of the UC program by providing to them new hire, unemployment insurance (UI), and quarterly wage (QW) information from OCSE's National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) pertaining to individuals for whom the state agencies have transmitted names and Social Security numbers (SSN).

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

The authority for conducting the matching program is contained in section 453(j)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(j)(8)).

D. Categories of Individuals Involved and Identification of Records Used in the Matching Program

The categories of individuals involved in the matching program include applicants and recipients of benefits under UC programs administered by state agencies. The system of records maintained by OCSE under the Privacy Act from which records will be disclosed for the purpose of this matching program is the "Location and Collection System" (LCS), No. 09–90–0074, last published in the Federal Register at 72 FR 51446 on September 7, 2007. The LCS includes the NDNH, which contains new hire, QW, and UI information. The disclosure to the state agencies is a routine use under the LCS. Records resulting from the matching program and which are disclosed to the state agencies administering the UC program include names, SSNs, and employment information.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

The matching agreement will be effective and matching activity may commence on the later of the following dates: (1) January 1, 2008; (2) at least 30 days after this Notice is published in the Federal Register; or (3) at least 40 days after OCSE sends a report of the matching program to OMB and the Congressional committees of jurisdiction under 5 U.S.C. 552a(o)(2)(A), unless OMB disapproves the agreement within the 40-day review period or grants a waiver of 10 days of the 40-day review period. The matching agreement will remain in effect for 18 months from its effective date, unless one of the parties to the agreement advises the other by written request to terminate or modify the agreement. The agreement is subject to renewal by the HHS Data Integrity Board for 12 additional months if the matching program will be conducted without any change and each party to the agreement certifies to the Board in writing that the program has been conducted in compliance with the agreement.

[72 FR 70325, December 11, 2007]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE); Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program

AGENCY:

Office of Child Support Enforcement, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION:

Notice of a Computer Matching Program.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, OCSE is publishing notice of a computer matching program between OCSE and state agencies administering the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program (state TANF agencies).

DATES:

ADDRESSES:

Interested parties may comment on this notice by writing to Linda Deimeke, Director, Division of Federal Systems, Office of Automation and Program Operations, Office of Child Support Enforcement, Administration for Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, 4th Floor East, Washington, DC 20447. Comments received will be available for public inspection at this address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Linda Deimeke, Director, Division of Federal Systems, Office of Child Support Enforcement, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Telephone Number (202) 401–5439.