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Click to Display Archived News 2011 News Archive

The January 2012 Data Bank News is now available!
(12/21/2011)
The January 2012 Data Bank News provides the latest information about important upcoming system changes, health plan reporting responsibilities, and the role of Data Bank users in maintaining security. Also included in this issue are helpful hints, a guide to outreach and education opportunities, and answers to your questions about policies and procedures.

Public Use Data File Updated
(11/29/2011)
The NPDB Public Use Data File has been updated to include disclosable statistical report information received from September 1, 1990 through September 30, 2011. The file does not contain any information that identifies individual practitioners or reporting entitites and is designed for statistical analysis only.

Public Use Data File Reposted
(11/09/2011)
HRSA has now reposted the Public Use Data File (PUF) for the National Practitioner Data Bank. In order to access the PUF, users will be asked to review and agree to a Data Use Agreement (DUA) that spells out specifics of how the data provided in the PUF may be used in accordance with the law.

November Enhancements Promote Ease of Use
(11/07/2011)
Effective today, the Data Bank introduces improvements designed to make data entry and system navigation easier and more intuitive on multiple levels. The changes affect form submission and report search and navigation, primarily. These upgrades comprise a significant enhancement for Data Bank reporters that will make their work much easier to accomplish. Highlights of the new features include the following.

Report Form Submission Usability
Data submission forms now allow more flexible formats for specific data types like dates, currency, and social security numbers. The forms have been made more concise by hiding redundant fields that can be retrieved by the user as needed. Report validation has been improved to help users quickly locate errors; the validation message includes links directly to problem areas in the report and provides error messages in the context where they occur.

Another improvement to the report submission process reduces the possibility that users might inadvertently abandon their report in progress and lose all of their work to date. Users will now be asked to confirm when they attempt to navigate away from an input form.

Report Search and Navigation Enhancements
The system has been enhanced to allow users to more easily find subjects by name, while also allowing those who are accustomed to using DCNs to continue doing so. The system will suggest report types that are based on recent report activity for this entity; users can easily get access to additional report types with the click of a button.

The new Practitioner Detail page provides an incident-based view of the selected practitioner's report history, allowing the user to get a complete picture of any activity for that practitioner. This new screen includes summary information for each reported incident, with additional rows that contain details of the actions taken related to each incident. If a report needs modification, users will find that screen language generally is improved to clarify the difference between a correction and a revision to a report, eliminating confusion and enabling users to move forward with greater facility.

Combined Annual Report Published
(09/2011)
The Data Bank is pleased to announce that the combined Annual Report for 2007, 2008, and 2009 is now available on the Data Bank website. The report identifies research activity and policy initiatives undertaken by the NPDB in those years, and reviews trends and statistics that summarize three years of NPDB reporting. Many system enhancements were based on suggestions from Data Bank users and stakeholders. As always, we appreciate your support and interest in the Data Bank.

The October 2011 Data Bank News is now available!
(09/26/2011)
This month's issue contains information about significant new reporting updates, ways to enhance communication with your Authorized Agent, and how Data Bank users are making important contributions through participation in a usability study. With this issue we also introduce a special feature called My Continuous Query Story, where a Data Bank user discusses her actual experiences using Continuous Query. You will not want to miss any of these or the other important articles we've assembled in this issue, and you can read them all online.

You will find the Data Bank News is available in two easy-to-navigate formats for your reading convenience: a printable PDF Version (1.47 MB) as well as an html version that offers unique features such as enlarged images and simplified navigation among the contents. Read the Data Bank e-newsletter now!

New Resources: 1921 and Reporting Flow Charts
(09/26/2011)
View the new Section 1921 flow chart (PDF - 147 KB | HTML) that shows what information is contained in the NPDB under Section 1921. Reporting Guidance by Action Type flow charts are also available in the Reference Library.

It's Official: Continuous Query is Here to Stay
(09/23/2011)
A Federal Register Notice was released today announcing the removal of the prototype status for the Proactive Disclosure Service (PDS). In addition, the name change from PDS to Continuous Query was announced.

Are you using Continuous Query? If not, find out how Continuous Query can enhance your credentialing processes!

Spell-Check Capability Now Available for Data Bank Users
(08/22/2011)

Beginning today, Data Bank users will notice a spell-checking option on reports with narrative fields. The new data entry aid is user-activated and alerts users to potential problems without preventing report submission. Based on feedback from a study of user preferences, the spell check feature incorporates common medical terminology.

QRXS and ITP Users Take Note!
(08/22/2011)

On August 22, 2011, the Data Bank implemented several improvements to the QRXS and ITP submission and response file formats. Updated QRXS and ITP File Format Specifications are available.

Public Use Data File Updated
(08/19/2011)
The NPDB Public Use Data File has been updated to include disclosable statistical report information received from September 1, 1990 through March 31, 2011. The file does not contain any information that identifies individual practitioners or reporting entitites and is designed for statistical analysis only.

New Continuous Query Features
(08/17/2011)
Exciting changes are coming to Continuous Query on August 22, 2011. The system enhancement will implement many features that make Continuous Query even easier to use. These include:

  • Streamlined query functions - All querying functions will be consolidated on a single page. Use the new Query Options page to initiate a One-time or Continuous query, view query responses, manage your Continuous Query subjects, access your subject database, and modify, renew, or cancel Continuous Query enrollments.
  • New applicant management features - Enroll practitioners who are applying for employment with your organization, in Continuous Query. After selecting the applicant option on the new Query Type screen, you will be prompted to enter an end date for the application period, which will be monitored to trigger automatic suspension of enrollment on the date you specify. Revise applicant end dates as needed, or mark your applicants as hired to keep them enrolled in Continuous Query. The monthly summary email will notify you of applicants whose application end dates have passed.
  • Locum tenens practitioner management features - The new Query Type screen permits you to indicate locum tenens enrollments in Continuous Query. After selecting the locum tenens option, enter an end date for terminating the enrollment, and the Continuous Query enrollment will be automatically cancelled on that date. Update end dates for locum tenens practitioners at any time.
  • Consolidated query responses - All query responses are combined in one Query Responses page, which clearly distinguishes between Continuous Query and One-Time Query responses. Here you can quickly view query responses or retrieve a practitioner's Confirmation of Continuous Query Enrollment.
  • New deactivation feature - Effective August 22, organizations that no longer have a need for Continuous Query will be able to deactivate it through the Administrator Options page.

Continuous Query users will welcome the ease of use and straightforward design that we have built in to Continuous Query with these enhancements. For organizations that are not yet using Continuous Query, there has never been a better time to do so. Continuous Query monitors your practitioners 365 days a year, providing reports on your enrolled practitioners within 24 hours of the Data Bank's receipt. Continuous Query is designed to assist you in meeting accreditation standards that require ongoing monitoring of practitioners; it meets the legal and accreditation requirements to query and is endorsed by The Joint Commission, NCQA, URAC, and CARF. Organizations that use Continuous Query do not need to perform traditional one-time queries on their enrolled practitioners.

Activating Continuous Query is easy to do:

  1. Go to the Administrator Options page and click Activate Continuous Query.
  2. Indicate your preferences on the Activate Continuous Query form and click Submit to Data Bank.
  3. Begin enrolling practitioners in Continuous Query by clicking Query New Subjects on the Query Options page.

As always, the Customer Service Center is available to assist you Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time (5:30 p.m. on Fridays): call 1-800-767-6732.

You can look forward to these changes beginning August 22, 2011.

The July 2011 Data Bank News is now available!
(06/21/2011)
In this month's issue:

  • Continuous Query as a Risk Mitigation Strategy
  • System Improvements Respond to User Needs
  • Tips for Finding Required Report Information
  • How Section 1921 Affects the NPDB
  • Security Hints: New Password Rules as of June 2011
  • Reporting Responsibilities of Self-Insured Organizations
  • And more...
Stay informed with the latest Data Bank e-newsletter (PDF - 765 KB | HTML). You will be among the first to know what is happening at the Data Bank! Learn about upcoming system improvements, get helpful hints, preview conferences and outreach activities, and find answers to common Data Bank policy and procedure questions.

Compliance Webinar
(06/08/2011)
The Division of Practitioner Data Banks will host a Compliance Webinar on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. This event will address the upcoming Compliance effort with Licensing Authorities for Chiropractors, Optometrists, and Physical Therapists, focusing on adverse actions for the years 2006 - 2009. The Webinar is one way the Data Bank provides information about its compliance process and works collaboratively to ensure each organization is "compliant" with Data Bank reporting requirements. Following the presentation, Data Bank staff will host a question and answer session for attendees.

Even though the presentation is limited to specific professions, the Webinar is open to all interested parties. Organizations that would like to participate can register for the Webinar at the event website. A full Webinar recording will be available online starting one week after the event. Watch for more information here.

Convenient Access to Data Bank Information
(06/06/2011)
Would you like to download your query and report summary information directly into your organization's spreadsheets or databases? How about your Continuous Query enrollments or renewal information, and Data Bank billing activity? Beginning today users will have access to these new features. Users will benefit from the added flexibility to download and integrate their Data Bank information into formats (CSV, XLS) that make reconciliations easier and more useful for their organizations.

Download Features and Benefits:

  • Historical query downloads to spreadsheet - You can download query information and track who you have queried and who needs to be queried next.
  • Historical report downloads to spreadsheet - You can download report summary information on previously submitted reports in a format that is easy for your organization to reconcile.
  • Enrolled practitioner downloads to spreadsheet - You can download Continuous Query summary enrollment information so you can compare your current enrollments to your list of providers.
  • Billing history downloads to spreadsheet - You can download billing data so reconciliations with your credit card statements and bank statements are simplified.

New Data Bank Password Rules Take Effect
(06/06/2011)
New password rules take effect today requiring users to strengthen their passwords throughout the Data Bank system. To view these important guidelines view Manage User IDs and Passwords.

Public Use Data File Updated
(05/04/2011)
The NPDB Public Use Data File has been updated to include disclosable statistical report information received from September 1, 1990 through December 31, 2010. The file does not contain any information that identifies individual practitioners or reporting entitites and is designed for statistical analysis only.

User Account Challenge Questions for IQRS Users
(04/04/2011)
All IQRS users are required to set up Challenge Questions on the User Account Information page. When prompted, customize your questions so that the answers are easy for you to remember. On occasion, you may be asked to answer a challenge question at sign in. These questions serve as another form of identity verification for IQRS access.

If you are unable to answer the questions you create, your account will be locked until you can verify your identity with your Data Bank Administrator or the Customer Service Center. The challenge questions not only enhance IQRS security, but also give you the added benefit and convenience of being able to reset your own password, if needed.

Practitioner Identification for RRS Users
(04/04/2011)
The Report Response Service (RRS) provides report subjects with a means to respond to information reported about them. Previously, users only verified the report Data Bank Control Number (DCN) and the report password. For added security after users enter their report DCN and password on the Sign In page, they are now also required to provide their Social Security Number and Date of Birth on the new Practitioner Identification page. Note: These fields will be omitted from the Subject Notification Document to protect the report subject's sensitive information.

The April 2011 Data Bank News is now available!
(03/24/2011)
The latest issue includes:

  • New security enhancements and functionality coming in April.
  • The responsibility for compliance when organizations use an Authorized Agent.
  • How to alert the Data Bank to a possible missing report.
  • An assessment of the Data Bank's "green" efforts over the past several years.
  • The what, who, and when of medical malpractice reporting.
  • And more...
Stay informed with the latest Data Bank News e-newsletter (PDF - 790 KB | HTML). You will be among the first to know what is happening at the Data Bank! Learn about upcoming system improvements, get helpful hints, preview conferences and outreach activities, and find answers to common Data Bank policy and procedure questions.

Privacy Act Exemption for the NPDB
(03/07/2011)
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for a Privacy Act Exemption for the NPDB will close for public comment on April 18, 2011. To submit comments electronically, visit the Federal eRulemaking Portal.

QRXS and ITP Users Take Note!
(02/23/2011)
On August 22, 2011, the Data Bank will implement several improvements to the QRXS and ITP submission and response file formats. To better prepare you for the upcoming changes, updated QRXS and ITP File Format Specifications are now available.

New Data Bank Registration Procedures Begin Today
(01/24/2011)
New registration procedures for users and organizations that are registering with the Data Bank for the first time take effect today. The enhanced registration process beginning on January 24th requires identity and employment verification of all Data Bank users, Data Bank Administrators, and certifying officials. Existing Data Bank users will be phased in during their registration renewals beginning February 23. You can get an overview of the registration and renewal requirements on our About Registration page. In addition, the Data Bank has prepared the following materials to orient you to the new procedures.

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Click to Display Archived News 2010 News Archive

Public Use Data File Updated
(12/30/2010)
The NPDB Public Use Data File has been updated to include disclosable statistical report information received from September 1, 1990 through September 30, 2010. The file does not contain any information that identifies individual practitioners or reporting entitites and is designed for statistical analysis only.

The January 2011 Data Bank News is now available!
(12/21/2010)
The latest issue includes:

  • An update on the e-authentication requirements being phased in during registration renewal beginning in January.
  • A review of the NPDB's twenty years of service to health care.
  • A report on the Data Bank's ongoing compliance activities.
  • A discussion of how hospital HR departments can use the NPDB.
  • An advance look at upcoming enhancements for organizations that use agents.
  • And more...

Be among the first to know what is happening at the Data Bank! Read it now (PDF - 990 KB).

Code Lists Updated
(11/08/2010) The following changes have been made to the Code Lists:

  • Added Occupation/Field of Licensure Code 134 - Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Added Occupation/Field of Licensure Code 550 - Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO)
  • Added Error Code MY - The date of this payment should not be before 09/01/1990.

New Look for the Data Bank website
(10/18/2010) Welcome to the new Data Bank website! As you can see, we have a new look, and we have reorganized the content to make it easier for you to find what is most important to you.

To help get you started, we have prepared several ways for you to become quickly oriented to the new site. The following materials provide you with an overview of how the site is organized and how to find what you need instantly.

Updated - Reporting Compliance Status of Government Agencies
(10/01/2010)
The reporting status of Government Agencies, initially posted July 1, 2010, has been updated as of October 1, 2010. For information about the reporting compliance process and definitions of terms, see About Reporting Compliance.

QRXS and ITP Users Take Note!
08/30/2010)
On August 30, 2010, the NPDB-HIPDB implemented several improvements to the QRXS and ITP File Format Specifications. In particular, please note the following changes:

  • QRXS correction reports now indicate the specific fields that were corrected.
  • Social Security Numbers in responses are now masked to display the last four digits only. Agent DBIDs are masked to display the last two digits only.

Introducing the QRXS Web Service
(08/30/2010)
The QRXS web service, offered as an alternative to our QRXS Client Program, is appropriate for users who are already familiar with web services, or would prefer to write their own web services client using a non-Java solution.
The QRXS Web Service User Guide, in addition to detailed information about the QRXS, is available on our Downloads and Documentation page.

New Option for QRXS and ITP Continuous Query (PDS) Notifications
(08/30/2010)
By default, QRXS and ITP Continuous Query users receive notification of any new report or report change filed on their enrolled subjects. Now, QRXS and ITP Continuous Query users can opt to receive, not only the new report, but also any previously disclosed reports for that subject. To activate this feature, sign in to the IQRS, select Proactive Disclosure Service Options, choose All Reports on the PDS Options screen, and click Submit.

Accreditation Organizations - Reporting Information and Guidance
(08/25/2010)
Accreditation Organizations have specific reporting requirements to the National Practitioner Data Bank under Section 1921. To learn more, please refer to the presentation (PDF - 1.3 MB).

Public Use Data File Updated
(06/18/2010)
The NPDB Public Use Data File has been updated to include disclosable statistical report information received from September 1, 1990 through March 31, 2010. The file does not contain any information that identifies individual practitioners or reporting entitites and is designed for statistical analysis only.

New Customer Use Field For IQRS Reports and Queries
(06/14/2010)
IQRS queriers and reporters will be able to take advantage of the new Customer Use field that may be used to include internal tracking or case numbers within their submissions. For reporters, this field is private and is not disclosed in query results.

Enhanced Historical Report and Query Search Capability
(06/14/2010)
The Data Bank enhanced the IQRS historical report search capability to allow searching by partial first or last name, Data Bank Control Number (DCN), and information the reporter has provided in the Customer Use Field.
The Customer Use Field may also be used to search historical queries.

State Licensing Agencies - Reporting Information and Guidance
(05/26/2010)
State Licensing Agencies have specific reporting requirements to the National Practitioner Data Bank under Section 1921, and the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank. To learn more, please review the presentation (PDF - 2.8 MB).

Corrected Fields on a Correction Report Are Now Identified
(04/12/2010)
You asked, and we listened. Thanks to suggestions from our users, our Correction Reports now indicate, with an asterisk, the exact fields that were corrected. An example is provided in our Sample NPDB and HIPDB Query Response (PDF - 23 KB | HTML).
In addition, the Subject's Name is now provided on each page of PDS, Query, and Report Responses in the upper right-hand corner.

IQRS Report Responses are Streamlined
(04/12/2010)
In order to reduce paper waste, the cover page for report responses has been removed from the printable response, and instead, included on the new Disclosure Notice page. From the Report Status page, choose a Report DCN. Note: you may now filter and sort from this screen. You will then go to the Disclosure Notice page. To view your report response, click Continue.

Stay Organized
(04/12/2010)
Update your IQRS User Account to receive a monthly e-mail summarizing your entity's Continuous Query, querying, and reporting activity. The e-mail notification includes, for Continuous Query users, information on upcoming enrollment renewals, new subject enrollments, cancellations, unviewed output, and report disclosures. For queriers and reporters, the e-mail includes information on queries and reports submitted, report change notifications received, and counts of unviewed responses.
All users will receive, when applicable, notification of an entity registration that will expire soon and notification of stored credit cards that are expiring soon or have already expired.
See our sample e-mail notification (PDF - 52 KB).

Continuous Query (PDS) Report Disclosures Are Now Easier to Track
(04/12/2010)
The PDS Report Disclosure page in the IQRS has been enhanced. With the addition of the Viewed Date column, Continuous Query users are now able to see when a PDS Report Disclosure was viewed, and also sort by the date. In addition, from this same page, Continuous Query users may now easily print a list of all disclosure histories.

Section 1921 Opens for Reporting and Querying
(03/01/2010)
The Data Bank opened Section 1921 for reporting and querying on March 1, 2010. Section 1921 expands the information collected and disseminated through the National Practitioner Data Bank to include all licensure actions taken against all health care practitioners, not just physicians and dentists, as well as health care entities.

QRXS and ITP Users Take Note!
(03/01/2010)
On August 30, 2010, the NPDB-HIPDB will implement several improvements to the QRXS and ITP submission and response file formats. To better prepare you for the upcoming changes, updated QRXS and ITP File Format Specifications are now available.

Public Use Data File Updated
(03/01/2010)
The NPDB Public Use Data File has been updated to include disclosable statistical report information received from September 1, 1990 through December 31, 2009. The file does not contain any information that identifies individual practitioners or reporting entitites and is designed for statistical analysis only.

Data Bank Announces Final Rule for Section 1921
(02/18/2010)
The final rule for Section 1921 of the Social Security Act was published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2010 and opens for reporting and querying on March 1, 2010. Section 1921 expands the information collected and disseminated through the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) and protects beneficiaries participating in the Social Security Act's health care programs from unfit health care practitioners and entities and improves the anti-fraud provisions of these programs.
Previously, only actions based on competence or conduct taken against physicians and dentists were included in the NPDB. Implementation of Section 1921 adds adverse actions taken against other licensed health care practitioners and health care entities to the NPDB.
Section 1921 requires significant updates to the QRXS and ITP File Format Specifications. If you would like to stay current on the QRXS and ITP, sign up for the Mailing List.

Expanded Payment Options
(01/25/2010)
Entity Data Bank Administrators may now assign multiple credit cards to each user account. See How To Maintain Credit Cards for more information.

Registration Process is Streamlined
(01/25/2010)
The Data Bank registration process is now quicker and easier. Organizations registering with the Data Bank can now view their registration status on-line, fix validation issues without the need to re-enter their registration data, and receive e-mails when their registration has been processed.

Broadened QRXS Test Environment
(01/25/2010)
The QRXS test environment has been enhanced so that QRXS users can control the types of files downloaded, choosing from a wide range of sample responses that cover every type of submission. See the QRXS Client Program User Guide (PDF - 183 KB) for more details.

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Click to Display Archived News 2009 News Archive

Public Use Data File Posted
(12/2009)
The NPDB Public Use Data File has been updated to include disclosable statistical report information received from September 1, 1990 through September 30, 2009. The file does not contain any information that identifies individual practitioners or reporting entitites and is designed for statistical analysis only.

Introducing an Enhanced Self-Query Service!
(11/2009)
Practitioners can now:

  • Receive email notification when your results are ready
  • Get online access to your self-query results
  • Request multiple sealed copies via US Mail

Public Use Data File Posted
(09/2009)
The NPDB Public Use Data File has been updated to include disclosable statistical report information received from September 1, 1990 through June 30, 2009. The file does not contain any information that identifies individual practitioners or reporting entitites and is designed for statistical analysis only.

QRXS and ITP Users Take Note!
(08/2009)
The Data Bank implemented several improvements to the QRXS and ITP submission and response file formats.

Vendor ID Required for QRXS Transactions
(08/2009)
A valid Vendor ID is required for QRXS transactions and may be obtained through the File Specifications Access page. QRXS transactions submitted without a valid Vendor ID will be rejected.

For more information about including the Vendor ID in a QRXS submission file, see the QRXS File Format Specifications by logging in to the File Specifications Access page using your Vendor ID.

Data Bank "Turn the Page"
(08/2009)
In an effort to reduce paper waste, report notification documents as well as self-query results are now duplex-printed before being mailed.

Reconciling Your Billing Statements Is Easier
(08/2009)
Batch queries are now billed as a single charge, per Data Bank, regardless of whether extra processing time is required for some subjects. This change will enable easier reconciliation of query batches with your bank or credit card statements.

IQRS Adds "Smart" School Input Fields
(08/2009)
When a report on a physician is entered, the IQRS now suggests medical school names based on data you type into the Professional School field. You may choose a school that the IQRS suggests or enter a different school.

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