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###### Department of Veterans Affairs

          - [OMB Control No. 2900-0621]

# AGENCY:

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs

# ACTION:

Notice.

# SUMMARY:

                        The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the                         **Federal Register**                         concerning each proposed collection of information, including each revised collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed for Veterans, Veteran Representatives and health care providers to request reimbursement from the federal government for emergency services at a private institution.                    

# DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before January 26, 2015.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at                         *www.Regulations.gov;*                         or Audrey Revere, Office of Regulatory and Administrative Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (10B4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420 or email:                         *Audrey.revere@va.gov.*                         Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0621” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through the FDMS.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Audrey Revere at (202) 461-5694.

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501—3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, VHA invites comments on:  (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

*Titles:*                     National Practioner Data Bank.                

*OMB Control Number:*                     2900-0621.                

*Type of Review:*                     Revision.                

*Abstract:*                     Under the provisions of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986, which established the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of                           ( print page 70617)                        Health and Human Services (HHS), VA medical treatment facilities are required to query the NPDB at the time of initial appointment for all licensed, registered, and certified health care professionals which is followed with the enrollment in the NPDB Continuous Query (CQ) process with annual renewal of all licensed independent practitioners appointed to a VA medical treatment facility. In accordance with 38 CFR, Chapter 1, Part 46, information is collected so that VA can consider if malpractice payments were made related to substandard care, professional incompetence, or professional misconduct on the part of a licensed health care practitioner or if any adjudicated adverse action was taken against the licensure or clinical privileges of a these health care practitioner.                

Additionally, complete and thorough credentialing is required to assure that only qualified healthcare professionals provide care to our Nation's veterans. The term credentialing refers to the systematic process of screening and evaluating qualifications and other credentials, including licensure, required education, relevant training and experience, current competence and health status.

*Affected Public:*                     Individuals or Households.                

*Estimated Annual Burden:*                     2,500 burden hours.                

*Estimated Average Burden per Respondent:*                     5 minutes.                

*Frequency of Response:*                     Annually.                

*Estimated Number of Respondents:*                     s500.                

Dated: November 21, 2014.

By direction of the Secretary.

Crystal Rennie,

Department Clearance Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs.

[FR Doc. 2014-27849 Filed 11-25-14; 8:45 am]

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