National Practitioner Data Bank: Change in User Fees

HRSA, a sub-agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, is announcing a change in user fees charged to individuals and entities authorized to request information from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). The new fee will be $2.50 for both continuous and one-time queries and $3.00 for self-queries. In addition, as self-query results are now digitally certified, the NPDB will no longer automatically provide a mailed paper copy of self-query results. If self-queriers would like paper copies mailed to them, there will be an additional $3.00 charge per copy. The change in NPDB user fees is intended to encourage electronic processing while both ensuring sufficient funding to the full cost of NPDB operations and retaining appropriate cash reserves. The cash reserves are used to mitigate risks, cover operational costs should revenue decrease, and cover the cost of reasonable enhancement and maintenance of the NPDB management system. HRSA operational standards require review of NPDB user fees every 2 years. The biennial review of NPDB user fees offers HRSA the opportunity to evaluate its reserves as well as revenue relative to costs. Further, the review provides essential information on whether the fee rates and authorized activities are aligned with actual program costs and activities, and can help promote greater understanding of the fee by NPDB users.