General Information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
See also:
- 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 report 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 Banks report concerning them?
Yes. Whenever the Data Banks receives a new report or a revised, corrected, or voided report, the Data Banks sends a Subject Notification Document (SND) to the subject of the report using the address supplied by the reporting entity. If an SND is returned to the Data Banks by the post office as undeliverable, that information 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 Banks.
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 Banks?
To find out if there are 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 Use Data File, and Data By Profession & State. You can also contact the Division of Practitioner Data Banks (DPDB) at 301-443-2300 for other statistical information.
- 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 (names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.) in your statement. Once a statement is processed, it is forwarded to all queriers who received the report within the last three years. Your statement 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 Banks). 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.)
- I credential for my entity and submit queries through the Integrated Querying and Reporting Service (IQRS). I am interested in using the Proactive Disclosure Service Prototype (PDS) but need to know whether PDS responses are any different from my query responses. Can you explain the difference between a traditional query and a PDS enrollment?
The biggest difference between a traditional query and a PDS enrollment is that the query only gives you a "snapshot" of a practitioner's status at the time that you submit the query. A PDS enrollment provides you with that snapshot when you enroll your practitioner, plus it will notify you any time that the enrolled practitioner's report status changes (e.g., a new report is filed on the practitioner, a previously-filed report on the practitioner is corrected) for twelve consecutive months of enrollment.
For example, if you submit a traditional query on Dr. X this morning, and no reports were submitted to the Data Banks prior to your query, you will receive a query response that says No Reports Found. If a report on Dr. X is received at the Data Banks after your query response is sent, you would not receive that information until your next query on Dr. X. When you enroll Dr. X in PDS, you receive an Enrollment Confirmation that would include the response stating No Reports Found. However, if a report is received at the Data Banks after Dr. X is enrolled, you will receive an e-mail notification within 24 hours of its receipt, alerting you to login and view the report.
Enrolling in the PDS is like querying 24 hours a day, every day of the year. In addition, all enrollment and report information is always available for downloading or printing. The PDS is an alternative to the traditional query you have been submitting to the Data Banks. (Also in PDS FAQ.)
| Back to Top | Return to FAQ Topics | Customer
Service Center 1-800-767-6732 |
Last revised September 2008 |