Privacy Act of 1974; report of new system--HCFA. Notice of new system of records.

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, we are proposing to establish a new system of records, called the "National Provider System (NPS)," HHS/HCFA/OIS No. 09-70-0008. We have provided background information about the proposed system in the "Supplementary Information" section below. Both institutional (e.g., hospitals, skilled nursing facilitaties) and individually identifiable (e.g., physicians and other practitioners) providers are included in the NPS database. The institutional providers' data are covered by section 1106 of the Social Security Act and the Freedom of Information Act, while the individually identifiable providers' data are also covered by the Privacy Act of 1974. Although the Privacy Act requires only that the "routine uses" portion of the system be published for comment, HCFA invites comments on all portions of this notice. See "Effective Dates" for comment period.