- What is the best way for entity staff to understand Data Bank policies and procedures?
Entity staff should read the
National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Guidebook and/or
the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank (HIPDB) Guidebook
to better understand Data Bank policies and procedures.
In addition, entity staff should review the
Data Bank(s) Interactive Training Programs.
The NPDB
Guidebook and HIPDB Guidebook
describe the relevant laws and regulations, and are
the essential resources for information about Data Banks policies
and procedures. These documents can be found under the Publications
category on the Data Banks home page. The documents can be viewed
on-line or printed for future reference.
The NPDB Interactive Training Program and the HIPDB Interactive Training Program are additional
tools to help users understand Data Bank policy. The
training programs answer frequently asked questions and
explain the reporting process for each Data Bank.
Interactive quizzes describe reporting scenarios and
explain whether or not those actions are reportable. The
training programs are accessible by selecting the Interactive
Training link from the Quick List on the Data Banks home page.
A variety of fact
sheets
about specific topics are also available under the
Publications category on the Data Banks home page.
- Who is authorized to use the Data Banks?
Authorized NPDB queriers and reporters include State licensing boards; medical
malpractice payers (authorized only to reporter to the NPDB); hospitals and
other health care entities; professional societies; and licensed health care
practitioners (self-query only). Authorized HIPDB queriers and reporters
include Federal and State Government agencies; health plans; and health care
practitioners, providers and suppliers (self-query only).
- Are practitioners notified of a Data Bank(s) report
concerning them?
Yes, when an Initial Report, Correction Report, or Revision-to-Action Report
is placed in the NPDB or HIPDB, the subject of the report will receive a
copy of the report by mail. The Data Banks will mail a copy of the report
to the subject's address as provided by the reporting entity. When the
Post Office returns a report for insufficient address, the Data Bank(s)
adds a note is added to the report along with the address to which the
subject's report was sent, the date it was sent, and an explanation
that the subject did not receive a copy of the report because it was
returned as undeliverable. If a non-delivered
report is not returned to the Data Banks by the post office, the Data Banks
is unable to add the non-deliverable notice. (Also in Reporting FAQ and Dispute Process and
Secretarial Review FAQ.)
- How do I correct my address with the Data
Banks?
The Data Banks cannot change information submitted in reports; however,
if you have a report in the Data Banks, you may update your mailing
address by accessing the Report Response Service,
located on the
Data Banks home page. It is important to keep a current mailing
address on file to ensure you receive all communications from the Data Bank(s).
To ensure security, each Notification of a Report in the Data Banks
contains a unique password for access to the Report Response Service.
You must have this password and the Data Bank Control Number (DCN)
for the report in order to change your mailing address through the
Report Response Service. If you do not have this information,
contact the Customer Service
Center or call 1-800-767-6732. Information Specialists are available to speak
with you weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (5:30 p.m. on Fridays)
Eastern Time. The Customer Service Center is closed on all Federal holidays. (Also in
Self-Query FAQ and Dispute Process and Secretarial Review FAQ.)
- Who is the subject of a report or query?
The subject of a report or query is the individual or organization about whom
information is being submitted (report) or requested (query).
- How do I find out if there are any reports on me or my organization in the Data Bank(s)?
To find out if there are any reports on you or your organization,
submit a self-query through the Self-Query Service located on the Data Banks home page.
(Also in Self-Query FAQ.)
- Why is the Data Banks information not available to the
public?
The Data Banks are prohibited by law from disclosing information
on a specific practitioner, provider, or supplier to the general public.
However, persons or entities may request information in a form that does
not identify any particular entity or practitioner for research purposes.
- How do I request Data Banks information that is available to the public?
The Data Banks Web site offers general information on the Data Banks.
Information provided to the National Practitioner Data Bank is normally
confidential and can be provided only to authorized queriers, such as hospitals,
managed care organizations, and State licensing agencies for professional credentialing
and licensing and peer review purposes. However under section 426 of the Act (42 USC 11135),
as implemented by regulations at 56 CFR 60.11(a)(7), data may be released to "a person or entity
who requests information in a form which does not permit the identification of any particular health
care entity, physician, dentist, or other health care practitioner." To view statistical
information that is available to the public, go to the Data Banks home page and under the
Statistical Information category, select from
Annual Reports,
Public Data Files,
and
Data
By Profession & State. You can
also contact the Practitioner Data Bank Branch at 301-443-2300 for
other statistical information that might be available.
- Where can I find information regarding rejection codes
and other reporting or querying codes?
Rejection codes and other reporting or querying codes
can be found on the Data Banks home page under the General
Information category.
- A report was submitted to the Data Bank about me. Is
there a way for me to provide my side of the story in a Data Bank
report?
Yes. You may add a 4,000 character statement that informs others
of your side of the story. Do not include identifying information
about patients or other persons in statements (names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.) about patients or other
persons in statements. Once a statement is processed, it is
forwarded to all queriers who received the report within the last
three years and will be included with the report when it is
disclosed to future queriers. Instructions for adding a
subject
statement or disputing a report can be found on
the document that you received notifying you of the
report (Notification of a Report in the Data Bank(s)).
Access the Report Response Service to dispute a report
and/or add a subject statement to a report.
(Also in Dispute Process and Secretarial Review FAQ.)
