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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of their National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which includes changes for 2021-2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes involve adjustments to survey design, interview modes, and examination procedures, such as conducting more phone interviews and adding COVID-related questions. The CDC invites public comments on the necessity, accuracy, and burden of this information collection effort and seeks to gather public feedback within 30 days of the notice publication. Participation in NHANES remains voluntary, and responses are kept confidential.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced the creation of a new records system called "OPM/Central-23 FEHB Program Enrollment Records." This system will gather and maintain information about people enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and their family members. The records will be used to manage various processes like verifying eligibility and enrollment, handling premiums, and evaluating the effectiveness of the FEHB Program. The new system is set to improve transparency and help OPM respond better to inquiries under the Privacy Act of 1974.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has updated its definition of what areas are considered "rural" for the purpose of determining eligibility for rural health grants. This change, which includes adding MSA counties without any Urbanized Area populations to the list, aims to better identify communities that are rural in nature, even if they are near a city. Many public comments were received on this proposal, with most in favor, though some expressed concern that expanding eligibility might spread resources too thin. The revised definition will apply to new grant opportunities starting in the 2022 fiscal year.

In the Federal Register notice, there was a correction made to an earlier document published by the Health and Human Services Department and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. On December 20, 2024, a notice included a section where it indicated a placeholder date for an action deadline. This placeholder date, originally written as “[INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]”, has now been updated to the specific date of January 21, 2025, to clarify the deadline.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is updating their system of records, known as "The Revenue Program-Billing and Collections Records-VA" (114VA10D), to comply with the Privacy Act of 1974. These updates include changes to system numbers, locations, purposes, and categories of individuals covered. The VA is also revising rules on how records are stored and used, including the introduction of electronic storage in secure facilities like Amazon Web Services and Cerner Technology Centers, while maintaining safety measures. The VA invites public comments on these changes by February 24, 2021, after which the system will go into effect.

The proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services aims to amend regulations related to the exclusion of individuals and entities from Federal health care programs to prevent fraud and abuse. It reflects changes made by the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019, involving exclusion authorities for misclassification and false information about outpatient drugs. The rule also proposes updates to the Office of Inspector General's procedures and clarifications on factors influencing the length of exclusions and conditions for reinstatement. Public comments are open until January 31, 2025, and can be submitted electronically or by mail.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has renewed the charter for its Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Board of Actuaries (MERHC BoA). This board provides independent advice on actuarial matters related to the DoD's Retiree Health Care Fund. It consists of three members, who serve without representing any particular viewpoint, and report on the Fund's status to top defense officials, the President, and Congress. Members are respected actuaries appointed for staggered terms and can be compensated for their service.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a new matching program with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to verify eligibility for the Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy. This program involves the IRS sharing specific taxpayer information with the SSA to determine correct subsidy percentages for benefits under the Social Security Act. Interested parties have until May 12, 2025, to submit comments regarding this program, which will begin on May 27, 2025, and last for 18 months. The initiative is authorized under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code and the Social Security Act.

The Health and Human Services Department has issued a final rule updating the standards for electronic transactions in retail pharmacies under HIPAA. The rule adopts modifications to improve data exchange, enhance patient safety, and streamline processes, like replacing several free text fields with specific data fields. These changes include implementing the NCPDP Telecommunication Standard Implementation Guide, Version F6, and the NCPDP Batch Standard Subrogation Implementation Guide, Version 10, specifically for Medicaid agencies. The new standards are set to take effect beginning February 11, 2028, with compliance required 36 months after the final rule's publication, including an 8-month transition period to ease the changes.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a modification to its system of records for Social Security Number (SSN) Holders and Applications. This change includes updates to record-keeping practices, incorporating gender-inclusive language, and clarifying the system's use in a cloud-based environment. It includes new protocols for security, retention, and the sharing of information with other federal and state agencies. Public comments are invited by January 30, 2025, for any routine use concerns, and the details are documented in the Federal Register.