Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records, 49891-49893 [2022-17392]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 155 / Friday, August 12, 2022 / Notices
OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT
Privacy Act of 1974; System of
Records
Office of Personnel
Management, Healthcare and Insurance.
ACTION: Notice of new system of records.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Privacy Act of 1974, the Office of
Personnel Management (OPM) proposes
to publish a new system of records titled
‘‘OPM/Central–27, FEHB Disputed
Claims and Complaints Records.’’ This
system of records contains information
about enrollees or their family members
who have submitted a request to OPM
for its review of healthcare claim
denials made by Federal Employees
Health Benefits (FEHB) plans. This
system of records also contains records
related to complaints received by OPM
about the FEHB Program, Carriers, or
plans. This newly established system of
records will be included in OPM’s
inventory of record systems.
DATES: Please submit comments on or
before September 12, 2022. This new
system of records is effective upon
publication in today’s Federal Register,
with the exception of the routine uses,
which are effective September 16, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
comments through the Federal
Rulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
All submissions received must include
the agency name and docket number for
this Federal Register document. The
general policy for comments and other
submissions from members of the public
is to make these submissions available
for public viewing at https://
www.regulations.gov as they are
received without change, including any
personal identifiers or contact
information.
SUMMARY:
For
general questions, please contact Dyan
Dyttmer, 202–606–1412. For privacy
questions, please contact Kellie
Cosgrove Riley, Chief Privacy Officer,
202–360–6065, or privacy@opm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the Privacy Act of
1974, 5 U.S.C 552a, the Office of
Personnel Management proposes to
establish a new system of records titled
‘‘OPM/Central–27, FEHB Disputed
Claims and Complaints Records.’’
Established in 1960 through the Federal
Employees Health Benefits Act of 1959,
5 U.S.C. 8901 et seq., the FEHB Program
is the largest employer-sponsored group
health insurance program globally,
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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covering over 8 million individuals.
Covered individuals, as defined in 5
CFR 890.101, include employees of the
Federal government, annuitants,
members of their families, former
spouses, and miscellaneous groups,
enumerated in 5 U.S.C. 8901; United
States Postal Service employees and
annuitants, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 1005;
tribal employees, pursuant to 25 U.S.C.
1647b; and separated employees and
former dependents who are eligible for
Temporary Continuation of Coverage
under 5 U.S.C. 8905a.
OPM receives, stores, and processes
requests from individuals covered by
FEHB plans (or their authorized
representatives) to review healthcare
claim denials made by FEHB plans. As
part of this review, OPM gathers records
related to the denied claim from the
covered individual (or authorized
representatives) and the FEHB Carrier.
OPM may also submit records to an
Independent Medical Reviewer to
obtain an advisory opinion from an
independent healthcare professional.
OPM issues a written decision regarding
the disputed claim; if OPM reverses the
denied healthcare claim, in whole or in
part, the FEHB Carrier is required to
comply with OPM’s decision. This
system of records includes the request
for review, all records related to the
review, correspondence, and OPM’s
decision.
OPM also receives complaints about
the FEHB Program, Carriers, or plans.
These complaints may come from a
variety of sources including FEHBcovered individuals,1 health care
providers, Congressional and White
House inquiries, tribal entities, the
Department of Health and Human
Services and other Federal, State, or
local agencies. This system of records
includes the complaints, any records
received or developed by OPM related
to investigating the complaints, and
OPM’s response to the complaints.
The records in this new system of
records to date have been included in
the OPM/Central–1 Civil Service
Retirement and Insurance system of
records (OPM/Central–1). However,
OPM’s organizational structure and its
retirement and insurance programs have
evolved over time and OPM has
determined that OPM/Central–1 no
longer provides the public with the
most informative notice regarding the
system of records, nor adequately
facilitates individuals’ ability to exercise
1 Under 5 CFR 890.101(a) a ‘‘covered individual’’
means an enrollee or covered family member. An
‘‘enrollee’’ means an individual in whose name the
enrollment is carried. Under 5 CFR 890.105(e), a
covered individual is authorized to submit a
disputed claim to OPM.
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49891
their rights under the Privacy Act and
OPM’s ability to respond effectively.
Accordingly, OPM is in the process of
regrouping the records currently
contained in OPM/Central–1 and
publishing corresponding systems of
records notices. Additional systems of
records notices related to other record
sets currently encompassed in OPM/
Central–1 have been previously
published or will be published in the
future.
FEHB disputed claims and complaints
records will now be maintained in the
system of records known as OPM/
Central–27, FEHB Disputed Claims and
Complaints Records. This newly
established system of records will be
included in OPM’s inventory of records
systems. In accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552a(r), OPM has provided a report of
this system of records to the Office of
Management and Budget and to
Congress.
Office of Personnel Management.
Stephen Hickman,
Federal Register Liaison.
SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
FEHB Disputed Claims and
Complaints Records, OPM/Central–27
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
Unclassified.
SYSTEM LOCATION:
Healthcare and Insurance, Office of
Personnel Management, 1900 E Street
NW, Suite 3400, Washington, DC 20415
is responsible for this system of records.
The electronic records in this system are
maintained at OPM’s data center in
Macon, Georgia.
SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
Associate Director, Healthcare and
Insurance, Office of Personnel
Management, 1900 E St NW,
Washington, DC 20415.
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
5 U.S.C. Chapter 89, Health Insurance;
5 CFR part 890 (health insurance
generally); 5 CFR 890.105 and § 890.107
(regarding OPM’s review of denied
claims and judicial review of OPM’s
final action); and 5 CFR 890.114
(regarding complaints related to surprise
billing).
PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
The purpose of this system of records
is to collect, process, review, maintain,
and make decisions concerning
disputed healthcare claims for
individuals covered by FEHB plans;
collect, process, review, maintain, and
respond to complaints regarding the
FEHB Program, Carriers, and plans;
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 155 / Friday, August 12, 2022 / Notices
track the progress of individual
disputed claims and complaints so that
timely decisions and responses are
rendered; and create and maintain the
administrative record in the event of
judicial review of OPM’s decision
related to a disputed healthcare claim.
In addition, OPM uses the records in
this system of records to evaluate FEHB
Carrier compliance with the plan
brochure and the contract, and to
evaluate and improve FEHB Program
benefits and processes.
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE
SYSTEM:
a. Enrollees (defined in 5 CFR
890.101) and their family members who
have filed an FEHB disputed claim.
b. Individuals who have submitted a
complaint to OPM about the FEHB
Program, Carriers, or plans.
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
a. Name;
b. Date of birth;
c. Home address;
d. Email address;
e. Telephone number;
f. Health plan name and member ID;
g. Dates of service under appeal;
h. All materials submitted by the
individual or duly authorized
representative related to the disputed
claim, including written
correspondence and emails;
i. Explanation of benefits, including
advanced explanation of benefits;
j. Good Faith Estimate of charges;
k. Notice and Consent Documents
related to the No Surprises Act;
l. Reconsideration determination
related to the disputed claim from the
FEHB Carrier and any related
correspondence;
m. Bills related to the disputed claim;
n. Medical records related to the
disputed claim;
o. Response from the FEHB Carrier to
OPM regarding the disputed claim;
p. Advisory opinion from the
Independent Medical Reviewer;
q. Copy of OPM’s final disposition of
the claim and any other agency
correspondence;
r. System-generated reports or
documents;
s. All materials submitted to OPM
related to a complaint submitted to
OPM about the FEHB Program, Carriers,
or plans;
t. All materials generated by OPM in
reviewing a complaint submitted to
OPM about the FEHB Program, Carriers,
or plans; and
u. Any response generated by OPM to
a complaint submitted to OPM about the
FEHB Program, Carriers, or plans.
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RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
The records in this system related to
disputed claims are obtained from
individuals covered by FEHB plans or
their duly authorized representatives,
FEHB Carriers, and Independent
Medical Reviewers. The records in this
system related to complaints are
obtained from a variety of sources
including FEHB-covered individuals,
health care providers, Congressional
and White House inquiries, tribal
entities, the Department of Health and
Human Services and other Federal,
State, or local agencies.
ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE
SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS AND
THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
In addition to those disclosures
generally permitted under 5 U.S.C.
552a(b) of the Privacy Act, all or a
portion of the records or information
contained in this system may be
disclosed outside OPM as a routine use
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as
follows:
a. To the Department of Justice,
including Offices of the U.S. Attorneys;
another Federal agency conducting
litigation or in proceedings before any
court, adjudicative, or administrative
body; another party in litigation before
a court, adjudicative, or administrative
body; or to a court, adjudicative, or
administrative body. Such disclosure is
permitted only when it is relevant or
necessary to the litigation or proceeding
and one of the following is a party to the
litigation or has an interest in such
litigation:
(1) OPM, or any component thereof;
(2) Any employee or former employee
of OPM in his or her official capacity;
(3) Any employee or former employee
of OPM in his or her individual capacity
where the Department of Justice or OPM
has agreed to represent the employee;
(4) The United States, a Federal
agency, or another party in litigation
before a court, adjudicative, or
administrative body, upon the OPM
General Counsel’s approval, pursuant to
5 CFR part 295 or otherwise.
b. To the appropriate Federal, State,
or local agency responsible for
investigating, prosecuting, enforcing, or
implementing a statute, rule, regulation,
or order, when a record, either on its
face or in conjunction with other
information, indicates or is relevant to
a violation or potential violation of civil
or criminal law or regulation.
c. To a member of Congress from the
record of an individual in response to
an inquiry made at the request of the
individual to whom the record pertains.
d. To the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA) for
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Fmt 4703
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records management inspections being
conducted under the authority of 44
U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
e. To appropriate agencies, entities,
and persons when (1) OPM suspects or
has confirmed that there has been a
breach of the system of records,· (2)
OPM has determined that as a result of
the suspected or confirmed breach there
is a risk of harm to individuals, OPM
(including its information systems,
programs, and operations), the Federal
Government, or national security; and
(3) the disclosure made to such
agencies, entities, and persons is
reasonably necessary to assist in
connection with OPM’s efforts to
respond to the suspected or confirmed
breach or to prevent, minimize, or
remedy such harm.
f. To another Federal agency or
Federal entity, when OPM determines
that information from this system of
records is reasonably necessary to assist
the recipient agency or entity in (1)
responding to a suspected or confirmed
breach or (2) preventing, minimizing, or
remedying the risk of harm to
individuals, the recipient agency or
entity (including its information
systems, programs, and operations), the
Federal Government, or national
security, resulting from a suspected or
confirmed breach.
g. To contractors, grantees, experts,
consultants, or volunteers performing or
working on a contract, service, grant,
cooperative agreement, or other
assignment for OPM when necessary to
accomplish an agency function related
to this system of records. Individuals
provided information under this routine
use are subject to the same Privacy Act
requirements and limitations on
disclosure as are applicable to OPM
employees.
h. To FEHB Carriers for the purpose
of obtaining complete records held by
the plan regarding the claim or claims
in dispute, obtaining responsive
information relating to a complaint
related to the Carrier or its FEHB plan,
or providing OPM’s decision regarding
the disputed claim review or OPM’s
response regarding a complaint.
i. To an Independent Medical
Reviewer for the purpose of obtaining
an advisory opinion from the Reviewer
regarding the claim or claims in dispute.
j. To an individual or entity
submitting a complaint to OPM about
the FEHB Program, Carriers, or plans, a
response or report of outcome related to
the complaint.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF
RECORDS:
The electronic records in this system
of records are maintained in an
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 155 / Friday, August 12, 2022 / Notices
encrypted database. Paper records are
kept in lockable metal file cabinets or in
a secured facility. Access to records is
limited to those whose official duties
require access.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF
RECORDS:
These records are retrieved primarily
by the name of the individual, FEHB
health plan name, date of birth and/or
claim number of the individual to
whom they pertain but may be retrieved
by any personal identifier.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND
DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
The disputed claims and complaints
records are subject to the NARAapproved records schedule NC1–146–
77–01 INS 4(b) relating to Healthcare
and Insurance claims correspondence,
correspondence with individuals or
carriers’ representatives on the
interpretation of contracts, and
settlement of Federal employee claims
under health benefits and life insurance
plans.
ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL
SAFEGUARDS:
Records in this system are protected
from unauthorized access and misuse
through various administrative,
technical, and physical security
measures. OPM security measures are in
compliance with the Federal
Information Security Modernization Act
of 2014 (Pub. L. 113–203), associated
OMB policies, and applicable standards
and guidance from the National Institute
of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Transmission of the data feed from
FEHB Carriers and Independent Medical
Reviewers to this system is encrypted in
compliance with NIST Federal
Information Processing Standards
Publication 197.
6. Signature.
Individuals requesting access must
also comply with OPM’s Privacy Act
regulations regarding verification of
identity and access to records (5 CFR
297). Medical or psychological records
may also be subject to 5 CFR 297.205.
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES
Individuals wishing to request
amendment of their records in this
system of records may do so by writing
to the to the Office of Personnel
Management, Office of Privacy and
Information Management—FOIA, 1900
E Street NW, Room 5415, Washington,
DC 20415–7900 or by emailing foia@
opm.gov; ATTN: Healthcare and
Insurance. Requests for amendment of
records should include the words
‘‘PRIVACY ACT AMENDMENT
REQUEST’’ in capital letters at the top
of the request letter; if emailed, please
include those words in the subject line.
Individuals must furnish the following
information for their records to be
located:
1. Full name, including any former
name.
2. Date of birth.
3. Name and address of employing
agency or retirement system.
4. Precise identification of the
information to be amended.
5. Signature.
Individuals requesting amendment of
their records must also comply with
OPM’s Privacy Act regulations regarding
verification of identity and access to
records (5 CFR 297). OPM may refer
amendment requests to other entities
when those entities are the original
source of the record.
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
See ‘‘Record Access Procedures.’’
EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM
None.
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RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
Individuals seeking notification of
and access to their records in this
system of records may do so by
submitting a request in writing to the
Office of Personnel Management, Office
of Privacy and Information
Management—FOIA, 1900 E Street NW,
Washington, DC 20415–7900 or by
emailing foia@opm.gov; ATTN:
Healthcare and Insurance. Individuals
must furnish the following information
for their records to be located:
1. Full name, including any former
name.
2. Date of birth.
3. FDC Control Number, if known.
4. Reasonable specification of the
requested information.
5. The address to which the
information should be sent.
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HISTORY
OPM/Central–1, Civil Service
Retirement and Insurance Records, 73
FR 15013 (March 20, 2008), 80 FR 74815
(November 30, 2015).
[FR Doc. 2022–17392 Filed 8–11–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325–63–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[SEC File No. 270–412, OMB Control No.
3235–0469]
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request: Extension; Rule
17Ad–17
Upon Written Request, Copies Available
From: Securities and Exchange
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Frm 00095
Fmt 4703
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49893
Commission, Office of FOIA Services,
100 F Street NE, Washington, DC
20549–2736
Notice is hereby given that pursuant
to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(‘‘PRA’’) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) has submitted to the
Office of Management and Budget
(‘‘OMB’’) a request for approval of
extension of the previously approved
collection of information provided for in
Rule 17Ad–17 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et
seq.).
Rule 17Ad–17 requires certain
transfer agents and broker-dealers to
make two searches for the correct
address of lost securityholders using an
information database without charge to
the lost securityholders. In addition,
paying agents are required to attempt to
notify lost payees at least once. In
addition, the entities also are required to
maintain records relating to the searches
and notifications.
The Commission staff estimates that
the rule applies to approximately 496
broker dealers and transfer agents, and
3,113 paying agent entities, including
carrying firms, transfer agents,
indenture trustees, custodians, and
approximately 10% of issuers. The
Commission staff estimates that the total
annual burden for searches is
approximately 183,813 hours and the
total annual burden for paying agent
notifications is approximately 38,913
hours. In addition, approximately 5,968
burden hours are associated with
recordkeeping, representing an annual
burden of 4,411 hours for the brokerdealers and transfer agents, and 1,557
for paying agents. The Commission staff
estimates that the aggregate annual
burden is therefore approximately
228,694 hours (183,813 + 38,913 +
5,968).
In addition, the Commission staff
estimates that covered entities will
incur costs of approximately $6,617,298
annually, primarily as payment to third
party data base providers that will
search for the missing securityholders.
The retention period for the
recordkeeping requirement under Rule
17Ad–17 is not less than three years
following the date the notice is
submitted. The recordkeeping
requirement under this rule is
mandatory to assist the Commission in
monitoring compliance with the rule.
This rule does not involve the collection
of confidential information.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information
under the PRA unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 155 (Friday, August 12, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49891-49893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17392]
[[Page 49891]]
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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management, Healthcare and Insurance.
ACTION: Notice of new system of records.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Office of
Personnel Management (OPM) proposes to publish a new system of records
titled ``OPM/Central-27, FEHB Disputed Claims and Complaints Records.''
This system of records contains information about enrollees or their
family members who have submitted a request to OPM for its review of
healthcare claim denials made by Federal Employees Health Benefits
(FEHB) plans. This system of records also contains records related to
complaints received by OPM about the FEHB Program, Carriers, or plans.
This newly established system of records will be included in OPM's
inventory of record systems.
DATES: Please submit comments on or before September 12, 2022. This new
system of records is effective upon publication in today's Federal
Register, with the exception of the routine uses, which are effective
September 16, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments through the Federal
Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions
for submitting comments. All submissions received must include the
agency name and docket number for this Federal Register document. The
general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the
public is to make these submissions available for public viewing at
https://www.regulations.gov as they are received without change,
including any personal identifiers or contact information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions, please contact
Dyan Dyttmer, 202-606-1412. For privacy questions, please contact
Kellie Cosgrove Riley, Chief Privacy Officer, 202-360-6065, or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974,
5 U.S.C 552a, the Office of Personnel Management proposes to establish
a new system of records titled ``OPM/Central-27, FEHB Disputed Claims
and Complaints Records.'' Established in 1960 through the Federal
Employees Health Benefits Act of 1959, 5 U.S.C. 8901 et seq., the FEHB
Program is the largest employer-sponsored group health insurance
program globally, covering over 8 million individuals. Covered
individuals, as defined in 5 CFR 890.101, include employees of the
Federal government, annuitants, members of their families, former
spouses, and miscellaneous groups, enumerated in 5 U.S.C. 8901; United
States Postal Service employees and annuitants, pursuant to 39 U.S.C.
1005; tribal employees, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 1647b; and separated
employees and former dependents who are eligible for Temporary
Continuation of Coverage under 5 U.S.C. 8905a.
OPM receives, stores, and processes requests from individuals
covered by FEHB plans (or their authorized representatives) to review
healthcare claim denials made by FEHB plans. As part of this review,
OPM gathers records related to the denied claim from the covered
individual (or authorized representatives) and the FEHB Carrier. OPM
may also submit records to an Independent Medical Reviewer to obtain an
advisory opinion from an independent healthcare professional. OPM
issues a written decision regarding the disputed claim; if OPM reverses
the denied healthcare claim, in whole or in part, the FEHB Carrier is
required to comply with OPM's decision. This system of records includes
the request for review, all records related to the review,
correspondence, and OPM's decision.
OPM also receives complaints about the FEHB Program, Carriers, or
plans. These complaints may come from a variety of sources including
FEHB-covered individuals,\1\ health care providers, Congressional and
White House inquiries, tribal entities, the Department of Health and
Human Services and other Federal, State, or local agencies. This system
of records includes the complaints, any records received or developed
by OPM related to investigating the complaints, and OPM's response to
the complaints.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Under 5 CFR 890.101(a) a ``covered individual'' means an
enrollee or covered family member. An ``enrollee'' means an
individual in whose name the enrollment is carried. Under 5 CFR
890.105(e), a covered individual is authorized to submit a disputed
claim to OPM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The records in this new system of records to date have been
included in the OPM/Central-1 Civil Service Retirement and Insurance
system of records (OPM/Central-1). However, OPM's organizational
structure and its retirement and insurance programs have evolved over
time and OPM has determined that OPM/Central-1 no longer provides the
public with the most informative notice regarding the system of
records, nor adequately facilitates individuals' ability to exercise
their rights under the Privacy Act and OPM's ability to respond
effectively. Accordingly, OPM is in the process of regrouping the
records currently contained in OPM/Central-1 and publishing
corresponding systems of records notices. Additional systems of records
notices related to other record sets currently encompassed in OPM/
Central-1 have been previously published or will be published in the
future.
FEHB disputed claims and complaints records will now be maintained
in the system of records known as OPM/Central-27, FEHB Disputed Claims
and Complaints Records. This newly established system of records will
be included in OPM's inventory of records systems. In accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552a(r), OPM has provided a report of this system of records to
the Office of Management and Budget and to Congress.
Office of Personnel Management.
Stephen Hickman,
Federal Register Liaison.
SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
FEHB Disputed Claims and Complaints Records, OPM/Central-27
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
Unclassified.
SYSTEM LOCATION:
Healthcare and Insurance, Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E
Street NW, Suite 3400, Washington, DC 20415 is responsible for this
system of records. The electronic records in this system are maintained
at OPM's data center in Macon, Georgia.
SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
Associate Director, Healthcare and Insurance, Office of Personnel
Management, 1900 E St NW, Washington, DC 20415.
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
5 U.S.C. Chapter 89, Health Insurance; 5 CFR part 890 (health
insurance generally); 5 CFR 890.105 and Sec. 890.107 (regarding OPM's
review of denied claims and judicial review of OPM's final action); and
5 CFR 890.114 (regarding complaints related to surprise billing).
PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
The purpose of this system of records is to collect, process,
review, maintain, and make decisions concerning disputed healthcare
claims for individuals covered by FEHB plans; collect, process, review,
maintain, and respond to complaints regarding the FEHB Program,
Carriers, and plans;
[[Page 49892]]
track the progress of individual disputed claims and complaints so that
timely decisions and responses are rendered; and create and maintain
the administrative record in the event of judicial review of OPM's
decision related to a disputed healthcare claim. In addition, OPM uses
the records in this system of records to evaluate FEHB Carrier
compliance with the plan brochure and the contract, and to evaluate and
improve FEHB Program benefits and processes.
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
a. Enrollees (defined in 5 CFR 890.101) and their family members
who have filed an FEHB disputed claim.
b. Individuals who have submitted a complaint to OPM about the FEHB
Program, Carriers, or plans.
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
a. Name;
b. Date of birth;
c. Home address;
d. Email address;
e. Telephone number;
f. Health plan name and member ID;
g. Dates of service under appeal;
h. All materials submitted by the individual or duly authorized
representative related to the disputed claim, including written
correspondence and emails;
i. Explanation of benefits, including advanced explanation of
benefits;
j. Good Faith Estimate of charges;
k. Notice and Consent Documents related to the No Surprises Act;
l. Reconsideration determination related to the disputed claim from
the FEHB Carrier and any related correspondence;
m. Bills related to the disputed claim;
n. Medical records related to the disputed claim;
o. Response from the FEHB Carrier to OPM regarding the disputed
claim;
p. Advisory opinion from the Independent Medical Reviewer;
q. Copy of OPM's final disposition of the claim and any other
agency correspondence;
r. System-generated reports or documents;
s. All materials submitted to OPM related to a complaint submitted
to OPM about the FEHB Program, Carriers, or plans;
t. All materials generated by OPM in reviewing a complaint
submitted to OPM about the FEHB Program, Carriers, or plans; and
u. Any response generated by OPM to a complaint submitted to OPM
about the FEHB Program, Carriers, or plans.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
The records in this system related to disputed claims are obtained
from individuals covered by FEHB plans or their duly authorized
representatives, FEHB Carriers, and Independent Medical Reviewers. The
records in this system related to complaints are obtained from a
variety of sources including FEHB-covered individuals, health care
providers, Congressional and White House inquiries, tribal entities,
the Department of Health and Human Services and other Federal, State,
or local agencies.
ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES
OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C.
552a(b) of the Privacy Act, all or a portion of the records or
information contained in this system may be disclosed outside OPM as a
routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:
a. To the Department of Justice, including Offices of the U.S.
Attorneys; another Federal agency conducting litigation or in
proceedings before any court, adjudicative, or administrative body;
another party in litigation before a court, adjudicative, or
administrative body; or to a court, adjudicative, or administrative
body. Such disclosure is permitted only when it is relevant or
necessary to the litigation or proceeding and one of the following is a
party to the litigation or has an interest in such litigation:
(1) OPM, or any component thereof;
(2) Any employee or former employee of OPM in his or her official
capacity;
(3) Any employee or former employee of OPM in his or her individual
capacity where the Department of Justice or OPM has agreed to represent
the employee;
(4) The United States, a Federal agency, or another party in
litigation before a court, adjudicative, or administrative body, upon
the OPM General Counsel's approval, pursuant to 5 CFR part 295 or
otherwise.
b. To the appropriate Federal, State, or local agency responsible
for investigating, prosecuting, enforcing, or implementing a statute,
rule, regulation, or order, when a record, either on its face or in
conjunction with other information, indicates or is relevant to a
violation or potential violation of civil or criminal law or
regulation.
c. To a member of Congress from the record of an individual in
response to an inquiry made at the request of the individual to whom
the record pertains.
d. To the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for
records management inspections being conducted under the authority of
44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
e. To appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when (1) OPM
suspects or has confirmed that there has been a breach of the system of
records,[middot] (2) OPM has determined that as a result of the
suspected or confirmed breach there is a risk of harm to individuals,
OPM (including its information systems, programs, and operations), the
Federal Government, or national security; and (3) the disclosure made
to such agencies, entities, and persons is reasonably necessary to
assist in connection with OPM's efforts to respond to the suspected or
confirmed breach or to prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm.
f. To another Federal agency or Federal entity, when OPM determines
that information from this system of records is reasonably necessary to
assist the recipient agency or entity in (1) responding to a suspected
or confirmed breach or (2) preventing, minimizing, or remedying the
risk of harm to individuals, the recipient agency or entity (including
its information systems, programs, and operations), the Federal
Government, or national security, resulting from a suspected or
confirmed breach.
g. To contractors, grantees, experts, consultants, or volunteers
performing or working on a contract, service, grant, cooperative
agreement, or other assignment for OPM when necessary to accomplish an
agency function related to this system of records. Individuals provided
information under this routine use are subject to the same Privacy Act
requirements and limitations on disclosure as are applicable to OPM
employees.
h. To FEHB Carriers for the purpose of obtaining complete records
held by the plan regarding the claim or claims in dispute, obtaining
responsive information relating to a complaint related to the Carrier
or its FEHB plan, or providing OPM's decision regarding the disputed
claim review or OPM's response regarding a complaint.
i. To an Independent Medical Reviewer for the purpose of obtaining
an advisory opinion from the Reviewer regarding the claim or claims in
dispute.
j. To an individual or entity submitting a complaint to OPM about
the FEHB Program, Carriers, or plans, a response or report of outcome
related to the complaint.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS:
The electronic records in this system of records are maintained in
an
[[Page 49893]]
encrypted database. Paper records are kept in lockable metal file
cabinets or in a secured facility. Access to records is limited to
those whose official duties require access.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS:
These records are retrieved primarily by the name of the
individual, FEHB health plan name, date of birth and/or claim number of
the individual to whom they pertain but may be retrieved by any
personal identifier.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
The disputed claims and complaints records are subject to the NARA-
approved records schedule NC1-146-77-01 INS 4(b) relating to Healthcare
and Insurance claims correspondence, correspondence with individuals or
carriers' representatives on the interpretation of contracts, and
settlement of Federal employee claims under health benefits and life
insurance plans.
ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS:
Records in this system are protected from unauthorized access and
misuse through various administrative, technical, and physical security
measures. OPM security measures are in compliance with the Federal
Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-203),
associated OMB policies, and applicable standards and guidance from the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Transmission of
the data feed from FEHB Carriers and Independent Medical Reviewers to
this system is encrypted in compliance with NIST Federal Information
Processing Standards Publication 197.
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
Individuals seeking notification of and access to their records in
this system of records may do so by submitting a request in writing to
the Office of Personnel Management, Office of Privacy and Information
Management--FOIA, 1900 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20415-7900 or by
emailing [email protected]; ATTN: Healthcare and Insurance. Individuals must
furnish the following information for their records to be located:
1. Full name, including any former name.
2. Date of birth.
3. FDC Control Number, if known.
4. Reasonable specification of the requested information.
5. The address to which the information should be sent.
6. Signature.
Individuals requesting access must also comply with OPM's Privacy
Act regulations regarding verification of identity and access to
records (5 CFR 297). Medical or psychological records may also be
subject to 5 CFR 297.205.
Contesting Record Procedures
Individuals wishing to request amendment of their records in this
system of records may do so by writing to the to the Office of
Personnel Management, Office of Privacy and Information Management--
FOIA, 1900 E Street NW, Room 5415, Washington, DC 20415-7900 or by
emailing [email protected]; ATTN: Healthcare and Insurance. Requests for
amendment of records should include the words ``PRIVACY ACT AMENDMENT
REQUEST'' in capital letters at the top of the request letter; if
emailed, please include those words in the subject line. Individuals
must furnish the following information for their records to be located:
1. Full name, including any former name.
2. Date of birth.
3. Name and address of employing agency or retirement system.
4. Precise identification of the information to be amended.
5. Signature.
Individuals requesting amendment of their records must also comply
with OPM's Privacy Act regulations regarding verification of identity
and access to records (5 CFR 297). OPM may refer amendment requests to
other entities when those entities are the original source of the
record.
Notification Procedures
See ``Record Access Procedures.''
Exemptions Promulgated for the System
None.
History
OPM/Central-1, Civil Service Retirement and Insurance Records, 73
FR 15013 (March 20, 2008), 80 FR 74815 (November 30, 2015).
[FR Doc. 2022-17392 Filed 8-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-63-P