OMB endorses the broad concept of HCFA's proposed National Provider System (NPS) but at this time does not approve the detailed information collected by the NPS or its implementation strategy. At this time, OMB is unable to approve the underlying detail of the NPS for the following reasons: 1) Although HCFA attempted to coordinate with other Federal agencies and private sector standards groups, OMB has discovered that additional coordination may be necessary. Such coordination may facilitate adoption of the NPS standards by other Federal Health programs and the private sector, thereby enhancing the NPS' practical utility in the future. 2) OMB has not resolved Privacy Act concerns with the NPS, and will continue to discuss these and other concerns regarding the utility, burden, and potential duplication of this collection as expressed in the enclosed questions dated April 9, 1996 and the Department's response to these concerns. For example, OMB is concerned that HCFA may be proposing to collect more information than necessary to enumerate health care providers. The burden imposed by these information requirements may outweigh the benefits of more accurate provider enumeration and detection of fraud and abuse. 3) Two germaine Paperwork Reduction Act violation investigations remain pending within the Department. HHS' investigation findings will address whether a violation did in fact occur, and will provide additional informa- tion pertaining to the statutory basis and practical utility of the information collected by the NPS and its components. As HHS has agreed, within one month OMB will seek to resolve the above concerns with the Department, simultaneous with its PRA review of the related Provider/Supplier Enrollment and Application Form. Upon conclusion of these discussions, HCFA will resubmit the NPS for expeditious OMB review. OMB waives the Federal Register notices and comment periods for that resubmission.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
03/31/1997
03/31/1997
1
0
0
23,000
0
0
0
0
0
HHS is consolidating provider enumeration across programs. The NPS will be used in program operations and management to assign provider identification numbers; i.e., billing numbers for claims processing and payment. It will replace the current Medicare Physician and Eligibility System (MPIES) and UPIN; it will replace the enumeration functions of the Medicare OSCAR, CLIA, and NSC provider numbering systems.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
National Provider System