Indian Health Service August 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Request for Public Comment: 60-Day Proposed Information Collection: Indian Health Service (IHS) Background Investigations of Individuals in Position Involving Regular Contact With or Control Over Indian Children OPM-306.
Document Number: 05-17320
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-08-31
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service
The Department of Health and Human Services, as part of its continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the IHS is providing a 60-day advance opportunity for public comment on a proposed extension of current information collection activity to be submitted to the office of Management and Budget for review.
Research and Demonstration Projects for Indian Health
Document Number: 05-16912
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-08-25
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service
The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces the award of a cooperative agreement to the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) for demonstration project for urban Indian health care education, consultation, health care data dissemination, training, and technical assistance to determine the unmet health care needs of urban Indians and to assist the Secretary in assessing the health status and health care of urban Indians. The project is for a three year project period effective September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2008. Annual funding for the project is $417,000. The award is issued under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Section 301 and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, Public Law 94-437, Sections 503, 504, and 511, and is listed under Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 93-933. The specific objectives of the project are: 1. NCUIH will keep the Urban Indian health programs and the IHS informed of items of interest pertaining to the health status and unmet needs of urban Indians and the federal budget process by reviewing activities that have taken place in regard to Indian health care. 2. To disseminate information relative to Title V, local Urban Indian health issues, training opportunities, research instruments, data, budget, NCUIH activities and various forms of technical assistance to the Urban Indian health programs, keeping IHS informed of activities taking place. 3. To disseminate information and respond to all inquiries relative to Title V, local Urban Indian health issues, training opportunities, research instruments, data, budget, NCUIH activities and will issue a quarterly newsletter and develop a web page. 4. To coordinate meetings for the Urban Indian health programs to provide training, technical assistance, and/or updated information addressing the health care needs of Urban Indians. Reporting Requirements: 1. Monthly Activity Report: The organization will provide to the IHS program office a monthly report detailing activities performed for the organization. These activity reports will include: Trip reports for travel in connection to the organization Information on meetings attended by NCUIH regarding Indian health care education activities, and any documentation provided by NCUIH at these meetings Information relative to health status and health care needs of urban Indians in urban centers 2. Program Progress Report: Program progress reports are required semi-annually. These reports will include brief comparison of actual accomplishments to the goals established for the period, reasons for slippage (if applicable), and other pertinent information as required. A final report is to be submitted within 90 days of expiration of the budget/project period. 3. Financial Status Report: Financial status reports are required semi-annually. Standard Form 269 (long form) will be used for financial reporting. A final report must be submitted within 90 days of expiration of the budget/project period. 4. Financial Audit: A financial audit, conducted by an independent auditor will be completed annually for each year within the project period (three). Failure to submit required reports within the time allowed may result in suspension or termination of the active cooperative agreement, withholding of payments or converting to the reimbursement method of payment. Continued failure to submit required reports may result in the imposition of special award provisions, or cause other eligible projects or activities involving the grantee organization not to be funded. Justification for Single Source: This project has been awarded on a non-competitive single source basis. NCUIH is the only nationwide Indian organization that is specifically established to address the health needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban areas with membership consisting of Urban Indian health organizations funded under Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, Public Law 93-437, as amended, and under authority 25 U.S.C. 1652. Furthermore, it is the only nationwide organization for urban American Indians and Alaska Natives supporting the growth of the Urban Indian health care delivery system. Use of Cooperative Agreement: A cooperative agreement has been awarded because of anticipated substantial Programmatic involvement by IHS staff in the project. Substantial programmatic involvement is as follows: 1. IHS staff will participate in the Board of Director meetings. Purposes will be to present the IHS prospectus on current health care issues affecting the Urban Indian people and allow IHS the opportunity to hear the continuing unmet needs of Urban Indians. 2. IHS staff may, at the request of NCUIH, participate on study groups and may recommend topics for consideration. 3. IHS will be involved in the selection and approval process for hiring key personnel. Key personnel are the Executive Director, the Office Administrator, and may include the hiring of major consultants. NCUIH must submit the Executive Director and Office Administrator selection criteria to IHS for approval when there becomes a change in staffing.; 4. IHS will be involved in meetings held by NCUIH. Contacts: For program information, contact Ms. Danielle Steward, Program Specialist, Office of Urban Indian Health Programs, Office of the Director, Indian Health Service, Reyes Building, 801 Thompson Avenue, Rockville, MD, 20852, (301) 443-4680. For grants management information, contact Lois Hodge, Grants Management Officer, Division of Grants Operations, Reyes Building, 801 Thompson Avenue, Rockville, MD, 20852, (301) 443-5204.
Privacy Act of 1974; Report of Modified or Altered System
Document Number: 05-16890
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-08-25
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service
In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, we are proposing to modify or alter an SOR, ``Health, Medical and Billing Records (formerly known as the Health and Medical Records Systems),'' System No. 09-17-0001. We propose to include contract health service records, as an additional category of individuals covered by the system, which consists of medical records to eligible American Indians and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people that supplements the health care resources available with the purchase of medical care and services that are not available within the IHS direct care system which may include, but not limited to, basic and specialty health care services from local and community health care providers, including hospital care, physician services, outpatient care, laboratory, dental, radiology, pharmacy, and transportation services. Under the Purpose of the system, we propose to include several new purposes that are in line with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule provisions which were incorporated into the published IHS Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) and to include debt collection activities. We are proposing to modify/alter/delete several published routine uses, as explained, to accommodate for program and statutory changes as indicated: Number 1 is modified/altered by separating the medical treatment, payment and health care operations into two separate routine uses 1 and 2 to include payment, billing, third-party reimbursement and debt collection activities; numbers 3, 4 and 11 are to include business associate agreement language to comply with HIPAA Privacy standards and renumbered as 5, 6 and 12 respectively; number 5 is to include a special requirement notice for sensitive protected health information (PHI) such as alcohol/drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, STD or mental health patient information and renumbered as 7; number 6 is to reflect changes in research disclosures to comply with HIPAA Privacy standards and renumbered as 8; number 7 is to include various cases of abuses, neglect, sexual assault and domestic violence and emphasis on meeting the requirements of 42 CFR part 2 and renumbered as 9; number 8 is to clarify the disclosures regarding suspected cases of child abuse and renumbered as 10; number 9 is modified to include legal proceedings related to administrative claims and the inclusive provision of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)/Office of General Counsel (OGC) representation in litigation matters and renumbered as 11; number 10 is modified to include business associate agreement language to comply with HIPAA Privacy standards and is renumbered as 5; numbers 12 and 16 are modified and incorporated into one proposed routine use 13 with minor edits; number 14 is modified to reflect the permitted use/ disclosure requirements of 45 CFR 164.502(g) and remains as 14; number 15 is modified with some minor edits to reflect current changes to enable efficient administration of health care operations and planning and delivery of patient medical care and renumbered as 18; and number 16 is being deleted and incorporated into the proposed routine use 13. We propose to add 10 new routine uses to provide disclosures of records when all requirements are met: number 2, to provide disclosure for third-part reimbursement, fiscal intermediary functions and debt collection activities; number 3, to provide disclosures to state Medicaid agencies or other entities acting pursuant to a contract with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for fraud and abuse control efforts to the extent required by law or under an agreement between IHS and respective state Medicaid agency or other entities; number 16, to an individual having authority to act on behalf of an incompetent individual concerning health care decisions to the extent permitted under 45 CFR 164.502(g); number 17, information may be used or disclosed from an IHS facility directory unless the individual objects to the disclosure and may provide the religious affiliation only to members of the clergy; number 18, information may be disclosed to a relative, a close personal friend, or any other person identified by the individual that is directly relevant to that person's involvement with their care or payment for health care and may be used or disclosed to notify family member, personal representative, or other person responsible for the individual's care, of their location, general condition or death; number 20, to provide records to Federal and non-Federal protection and advocacy organizations for investigating incidents of abuse and neglect of individuals with development disabilities as defined in 42 U.S.C. 10801-10805(a)(4) and 42 CFR 51.41-46 to the extent authorized by law and the conditions of 45 CFR 1386.22(a)(2) are met; number 21, disclosure to a correctional institution or a law enforcement official, during the period of time the individual is either an inmate or is otherwise in lawful custody, for the provision of health care to the individual or for health and safety purposes; number 22, disclosure to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for validation of Social Security Number(s) (SSNs) purposes only; number 23, disclosure of relevant health care information may be made to funeral director or representatives of funeral homes to allow for necessary arrangements; number 24, disclosure to a public or private covered entity that is authorized by law or charter to assist in disaster relief efforts. Routine use previously numbered 13 is deleted as being no longer applicable to the system. Routine uses previously numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 15 have been renumbered as 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 19 respectively. The security classification previously reported as ``None'' will remain. We have modified the language in the routine uses to provide clarification to IHS' intention to disclose individual-specific information contained in this system. The routine uses will then be prioritized and reordered according to their usage. We will also take the opportunity to update any sections of the system notice to provide clarity on the changing environment to include for digital records and the initiative of transitioning from a paper-based record to a computerized-based or electronic medical record.
Request for Public Comment: 60-Day Proposed Information Collection: Final Rule To Implement Title V of the Tribal Self-Governance Amendments of 2000
Document Number: 05-15280
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-08-03
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Indian Health Service (IHS) is providing a 60- day advance opportunity for public comment on a proposed extension of current information collection activity to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review. Proposed Collection: Title: 0917-0026, ``Final Rule to Implement Title V of the Tribal Self-Governance Amendments of 2000''. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension, without revision, of currently approved information collection, 0917-0026, ``Final Rule to Implement Title V of the Tribal Self-Governance Amendments of 2000''. Form Number: None. Forms: None. Need and Use of Information Collection: The ``Tribal Self-Governance Amendments of 2000'', Pub. L. 106-206 (the act), repeals Title III of the Indian Self-Determination Act, Pub. L. 93-638, as amended, (ISDA) and enacts Title V that established a permanent Self-Governance program within DHHS. Thus, Indian and Alaska Native Tribes are now able to compact for the operation, control, and redesign of various IHS activities on a permanent basis. The final rule has been negotiated among representatives of Self-Governance and non- Self-Governance Tribes and the DHHS. The final rule included provision governing how DHHS/IHS carries out its responsibility to Indian Tribes under the Act and how Indian Tribes carry out their responsibilities under the Act. As required by section 517(b) of the Act, the Department has developed this final rule with active Tribal participation of Indian Tribes, inter-Tribal consortia, Tribal organizations and individual Tribal members, using the guidance of the Negotiated Rulemaking Act, 5 U.S.C. 561 et seq. Health status reporting requirements will be negotiated on an individual Tribal basis and included in individual compacts of funding agreements. Response to the data collection continues to be voluntary; however, submission of the data is essential to participation in the Tribal Self-Governance process. Self-Governance Tribes have the option of participating in a voluntary national uniform data collection effort with the IHS. The department is seeking continued OMB approval of the collection of information identified in the following sections of regulations: subpart CSelection of Tribes for Participation in Self-Governance, subpart D and ECompact and Funding Agreement, subpart NConstruction Projects, and Subpart P Appeals. Affected Public: Individual Tribes. Type of Respondents: Tribal representatives. The table below provides the estimated burden hours for this information collection:
Request for Public Comment: 60-Day Proposed Information Collection: Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program
Document Number: 05-15279
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-08-03
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service
The Department of Health and Human Services, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested date can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Indian Health Service (IHS) is providing a 60-day advance opportunity for public comment on a proposed extension of current information collection activity to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review. Proposed Collection: Title: 0917-0014, ``Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program.'' Type of Information Collection Request: Extension, without revision, of currently approved information collection, 0917- 0014, ``Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program.'' Form Number: None. Forms: The IHS Loan Repayment Program Information Booklet contains the instructions and the application formats. Need and Use of Information Collection: The IHS Loan Repayment Program (LRP) identifies health professionals with pre-existing financial obligations for education expenses that meet program criteria and who are qualified and willing to serve at, often remote, IHS health care facilities. Under the program, eligible health professionals sign a contract under which the IHS agrees to repay part or all of their indebtedness for professional training education. In exchange, the health professionals agree to serve for a specified period of time in IHS health care facilities. Eligible health professionals that wish to apply must submit an application to participate in the program. The application requests personal, demographic and educational training information, including information on the educational loans of the individual for which repayment is being requested (i.e., date, amount, account number, purpose of each loan, interest rate, the current balance, etc.). The data collected is needed and used to evaluate applicant eligibility; rank and prioritize applicants by speciality; assign applicants to IHS health care facilities; determine payment amounts and schedules for paying the lending institutions; and to provide data and statistics for program management review and analysis. Affected Public: Individuals and households. Type of Respondents: Individuals. The table below provides the estimated burden hours for this information collection:
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.