[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10767-10768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3957]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/
Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) Match Number 1076)

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice of computer matching program.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as 
amended, this notice announces a computer matching program that SSA 
plans to conduct with HCFA.

DATES: SSA will file a report of the subject matching program with the 
Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on 
Government Reform and Oversight of the House of Representatives, and 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB). The matching program will be effective as indicated 
below.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice by either 
telefax to (410) 966-2935 or writing to the Associate Commissioner, 
Office of Program Support, 2-Q-16 Operations Building, 6401 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401. All comments will be available for 
public inspection at this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Associate Commissioner for Program 
Support as shown above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. General

    The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 
(Pub.L.) 100-503) amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by describing 
the manner in which computer matching involving Federal agencies could 
be performed and adding certain protections for individuals applying 
for and receiving Federal benefits. Section 7201 of the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub.L. 101-508) further amended the Privacy 
Act regarding protections for such individuals. The Privacy Act, as 
amended, regulates the use of computer matching by Federal agencies 
when records in a system of records are matched with other Federal, 
State, or local government records.
    It requires Federal agencies involved in computer matching programs 
to:
    (1) Negotiate written agreements with the other agency or agencies 
participating in the matching programs;
    (2) Obtain the Data Integrity Boards' approval of the match 
agreements;
    (3) Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress 
and OMB;
    (4) Notify applicants and beneficiaries that their records are 
subject to matching; and
    (5) Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating, 
or denying an individual's benefits or payments.

[[Page 10768]]

B. SSA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

    We have taken action to ensure that all of SSA's computer matching 
programs comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act, as amended.

    Dated: February 8, 2001.
Glenna Donnelly,
Acting Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs.

Notice of Computer Matching Program, Health Care Financing 
Administration (HCFA) With the Social Security Administration (SSA)

A. Participating Agencies

    SSA and HCFA.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

    The purpose of this matching program is to identify Supplemental 
Security Income (SSI) recipients and Special Veterans' Benefits (SVB) 
beneficiaries who have been admitted to certain public institutions. 
The program will thereby facilitate benefit reductions required under 
certain provisions of title XVI of the Social Security Act (Act) for 
individuals in such institutions and benefit terminations required 
under certain provisions of title VIII of the Act for individuals no 
longer residing outside the United States.

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

    Sections 1611(e)(1)(A) and (B), 1631(f) and 806(a) and (b) of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1382(e)(1)(A) and (B), 1383(f) and 
1006(a) and (b)); 20 CFR 416.211.

D. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Matching 
Program

    On the basis of certain identifying information regarding SSI and 
SVB applicants, recipients and beneficiaries as provided by SSA to 
HCFA, HCFA will provide SSA with electronic files containing skilled 
nursing facility admission and billing data from its Long-Term Care 
Minimum Data Set, LTC/MDS 09-70-1516, system of records. SSA will then 
match the HCFA data with SSI and SVB payment information maintained in 
the Supplemental Security Income Record, SSA/OSR 60-0103, system of 
records.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Match

    The matching program shall become effective no sooner than 40 days 
after notice for the program is sent to Congress and OMB, or 30 days 
after publication of this notice in the Federal Register, whichever 
date is later. The matching program will continue for 18 months from 
the effective date and may be extended for an additional 12 months 
thereafter, if certain conditions are met.

[FR Doc. 01-3957 Filed 2-15-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-U