Alexandria, VA — In response to the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) notice that it intends to collect data from Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) and Postal Service Health Benefit (PSHB) programs on service use and cost, including medical and pharmacy claims and provider data, NARFE National President William Shackelford issued the following statement:
“OPM’s notice to collect health care data of FEHB and PSHB participants fails to explain adequately why OPM needs the data, how it will use it, how it will secure it, and what safeguards will be in place to protect the privacy of federal employees and retirees. OPM may have legitimate reasons to obtain and analyze the data to reduce costs and help improve health outcomes, but they have not articulated them.
“OPM should also commit to only seeking personally de-identified data, to reduce the risks the data could be used inappropriately against employees and to mitigate security risks of unintended disclosure and theft.”
“OPM sought medical claims data in the past, notably during the Obama administration, but it has not yet made a convincing case for moving forward.”
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As the only organization solely dedicated to the general welfare of all federal workers and retirees, NARFE delivers valuable guidance, timely resources and powerful advocacy. For more than 100 years, NARFE has been a trusted source of knowledge for the federal community, Capitol Hill, the executive branch and the media.
CONTACT:
Jenn Rafael
NARFE Senior Director of Communications and Technology
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