[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 98 (Tuesday, May 21, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29786-29787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12034]
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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD
Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988; Report of
Matching Program: RRB and State Medicare Agencies (Renewal)
AGENCY: U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).
ACTION: Notice of a renewal of an existing computer matching program
due to expire on May 24, 2013.
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SUMMARY: As required by the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the RRB is
issuing a public notice in the Federal Register of its intent to renew
an ongoing computer matching program. In this match, we provide certain
Medicare and benefit rate information to state agencies allowing them
to review and if necessary, adjust amounts of benefits in their public
assistance programs as well as to coordinate Medicare/Medicaid payments
for public assistance recipients.
The purpose of this notice is to advise individuals receiving
benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act that the RRB plans to share
this computer matching data with state agencies.
DATES: Submit comments on or before July 1, 2013, at which time
matching activities may continue.
ADDRESSES: Address any comments concerning this notice to Ms. Martha P.
Rico, Secretary to the Board, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Timothy S. Grant, Chief Privacy
Officer, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago,
Illinois 60611-2092.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. General
The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, regulates
Federal agencies when they conduct computer matching activities in a
system of records 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 approval of the matching agreement by the Data Integrity
Boards of the participating Federal agencies;
(3) Publish notice of the computer matching program in the Federal
Register;
(4) Furnish reports about matching programs to Congress and Office
of Management and Budget;
(5) Notify beneficiaries and applicants that their records are
subject to matching; and
(6) Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating,
or denying a person's benefits or payments.
B. RRB Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act
We have taken action to ensure that our computer matching programs
comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended.
C. Notice of Computer Matching Program: RRB with State Medicare
Agencies (Renewal):
Name of Participating Agencies: The Railroad Retirement Board and
state public aid/public assistance agencies.
Purpose of the Match: The match has several purposes allowing state
agencies to:
(1) Accurately identify qualified Railroad Retirement
Beneficiaries;
(2) Make necessary adjustments required under state law in public
aid payments due to cost of living or other adjustments in RRB
annuities;
(3) Coordinate benefits of dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid
beneficiaries; and
(4) To identify individuals who are eligible for Part B Medicare
and not enrolled in order to enroll such individuals in the State Buy-
In program.
Authority for Conducting the Match: 20 CFR 200.5(j)(1), 20 CFR
200.8(g)(10), 42 CFR 435.940 through 435.965.
Categories of Records and Individuals Covered: All beneficiaries
under the Railroad Retirement Act who have been identified by a state
as a recipient of public aid will have information about their RRB
benefits and Medicare enrollment furnished to the requesting state
agency. This information is covered as a routine disclosure under the
Privacy Act system of records RRB-20, Health Insurance and
Supplementary Medical Insurance Enrollment and Premium Payment System
(MEDICARE), or RRB-21, Railroad Unemployment and Sickness Insurance
Benefit System, which were published in the Federal Register on July
26, 2010 (75 FR 43710). You can also find all RRB Privacy Act Systems
of Records notices on our public Web site at: (http://www.rrb.gov/bis/privacy_act/SORNList.asp).
Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program: Agreements with the
individual states will run for a maximum length of 18 months with a
provision for an automatic, one-time 12 month renewal, for a maximum
length of 30 months. In order to qualify for the renewal, both parties
must certify to the RRB Data Integrity Board, three months prior to the
expiration of the agreement that:
(1) The program will continue to be conducted without change, and
(2) Each party certifies to the board in writing that the program
has been conducted in compliance with the agreement.
The number of matches conducted with each state during the period
of the match will vary from state to state, but typically are 2 to 4
matches per calendar year.
Procedure: The state agency will provide the RRB with a file of
records. The data elements in the records will consist of beneficiary
identifying information such as: name, Social Security Number (SSN),
date of birth, and RRB Claim Number, if known. The RRB will then
conduct a computer match on the state provided identifying information.
If the matching operation reveals that an individual who received
benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act also received benefits from
the state for any days in the period, the RRB will notify the state
agency and provide benefit payment and Medicare Entitlement data for
those matched individuals. The state agency will then make adjustments,
as necessary by law or regulation for those matched records.
Other information: The notice we are giving here is in addition to
any individual notice. We will furnish a copy of this notice to both
Houses of
[[Page 29787]]
Congress and the Office of Management and Budget.
Dated: May 14, 2013.
By Authority of the Board.
Martha P. Rico,
Secretary to the Board.
[FR Doc. 2013-12034 Filed 5-20-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P