{
  "id": "175960",
  "title": "NPI Numbers and Provider Information under Connecticut Medicaid ABI Waiver Program (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)",
  "agency": "Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services",
  "jurisdiction": "United States of America",
  "submitted": "2024-11-05 20:43:05.587242+00:00",
  "updated": "",
  "status": "Awaiting Response",
  "requester": "David Medeiros",
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.muckrock.com/foi/united-states-of-america-10/npi-numbers-and-provider-information-under-connecticut-medicaid-abi-waiver-program-centers-for-medicare-and-medicaid-services-175960/",
  "requestText": "To: FOIA Officer, Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)\r\nCC: FOIA Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)\r\nSubject: FOIA Request for NPI Numbers and Provider Information under Connecticut Medicaid ABI Waiver Program\r\nDear FOIA Officers,\r\nPursuant to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (C.G.S. §§ 1-200 to 1-242) and the Federal Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552), I am requesting access to records containing the National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers and provider information for all entities approved to deliver services under Connecticut’s Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program. This request is submitted to both the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure a full and accurate compilation of records related to the Medicaid ABI Waiver providers.\r\nScope of Request\r\n1.\tProvider Information for Medicaid ABI Waiver Program:\r\no\tA complete list of NPI numbers, along with corresponding provider names and addresses, for all entities authorized under Connecticut’s Medicaid ABI Waiver Program. This includes all providers in the Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury Approved Provider Registry managed by DSS and recognized by CMS.\r\n2.\tProvider Registry Documentation:\r\no\tAny official registries, directories, or databases maintained by CMS or DSS that list the approved ABI Waiver providers and their associated NPI numbers.\r\n\r\nPurpose and Public Interest Justification\r\nThe requested information is essential to support transparency, public accountability, and accessibility in Medicaid-funded services. Access to these records will enable stakeholders and beneficiaries to verify approved providers, ensuring that taxpayer-funded services are administered equitably and with oversight. This request serves the public interest by facilitating oversight of Medicaid resources and supporting beneficiaries in making informed provider choices.\r\n\r\nLegal Basis for Request\r\nThis request is supported by state and federal laws governing public access to records and ensuring Medicaid program transparency:\r\n•\tConnecticut Freedom of Information Act (C.G.S. §§ 1-200 to 1-242): Provides public access to state-held records, including Medicaid-related data.\r\n•\tConnecticut Public Records Law (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-210): Requires prompt access to public agency records, ensuring transparency for taxpayer-funded programs.\r\n•\tFreedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552): Governs access to federal records, ensuring transparency and accountability for CMS-administered programs.\r\n•\tSocial Security Act – Title XIX (Medicaid) (42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.): Mandates federal and state oversight of Medicaid-funded programs.\r\n•\tConnecticut Non-Discrimination Law (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-58(a)), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794): Require that individuals with disabilities receive accommodations for full access to information, ensuring compliance in FOIA processes.\r\n\r\nDisability and Accessibility Accommodations\r\nIn accordance with ADA and Section 504 requirements, please apply the following accommodations to ensure my full access to these records:\r\n1.\tEmail-Only Communication:\r\no\tAll responses, updates, and records should be sent exclusively via email to AabiWR@live.com. No physical mail, phone calls, portal-based communications, external links, or alternative platforms are permitted.\r\n2.\tElectronic and Accessible Format:\r\no\tProvide all documents in accessible electronic formats (e.g., PDFs compatible with screen readers).\r\n3.\tComplete Documentation:\r\no\tProvide all records without redactions unless legally required. For any necessary redactions, cite the specific legal exemption applied and include a summary.\r\n4.\tDetailed Explanations for Any Denials:\r\no\tIf any portion of this request is denied, provide a clear and detailed explanation for each denied item, citing relevant statutes or exemptions.\r\n5.\tGuidance for Complex Records:\r\no\tFor records containing complex financial, legal, or procedural language, please include summaries or simplified explanations to ensure comprehension.\r\n6.\tIdentification of FOIA Officer Handling This Request:\r\no\tProvide the full name, title, and direct contact information of the FOIA officer assigned to my request. This information is necessary for transparency and documentation.\r\n7.\tConfirmation of Accommodations:\r\no\tConfirm receipt of this request and explicitly acknowledge that each accommodation listed will be fully applied in all responses and communications.\r\n\r\nRequest for Expedited Processing\r\nDue to the pressing public interest in transparency and accountability in Medicaid-funded services for vulnerable populations, I request expedited processing under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-210(a), which mandates prompt availability of public records, and 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(E), which allows expedited FOIA processing when there is an urgent need to inform the public.\r\nFee Waiver Request\r\nI request a waiver of all associated fees under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-212(d) and 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii), as this request is in the public interest and not for commercial use. The disclosure of the requested information will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of Medicaid operations and beneficiary access to services under the ABI Waiver Program.\r\nTimeline Expectation\r\nPlease confirm receipt of this request within four business days as required by Connecticut FOIA laws. Additionally, I request an estimated timeline for fulfillment.\r\nThank you for your attention to this matter and for upholding transparency and accountability in Connecticut’s Medicaid system.\r\nSincerely,\r\nDavid Medeiros\r\nABI Resources\r\nEmail: AabiWR@live.com",
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    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "date": "",
      "from": "",
      "subject": "Preserved binder fragment — page 1241",
      "text": "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES  \nCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services \n7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C5-11-06 \nBaltimore, Maryland 21244-1850  \n              \nOffice of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs/Freedom of Information Group \nRefer to:  Control Number 112020247009 and PIN NHX2 \n  \n11/21/2024 \n \nDavid Medeiros. \nABI Resources LLC  \nDEPT MR 175960  \n263 Huntington Ave  \nBoston, MA 02115 \n \nDear David Medeiros: \n \nI am responding to your 11/7/2024 letter requesting expedited processing of your Freedom of \nInformation Act (FOIA) request for documents regarding News Media (MuckRock News) \nConnecticut Provider Information for Medicaid ABI Waiver Program.  The basis for expedited \nprocessing set forth in your letter is Due to the pressing public interest in transparency and \naccountability in Medicaid-funded services for vulnerable populations, I request expedited \nprocessing under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-210(a), which mandates prompt availability of public \nrecords, and 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(E), which allows expedited FOIA processing when there is an \nurgent need to inform the public. \n \nI reviewed your request in line with 5 U.S.C. §552(a)(6)(E).  This section provides for expedited \nprocessing of FOIA requests when the person requesting the records demonstrates a compelling \nneed as defined by the statute; i.e., an imminent threat to the life and safety of an individual; or, \nfor the media, urgency to inform the public concerning actual or alleged government \nactivity.  On the basis of the information available to me, I find that your request does not qualify \nfor expedited processing based upon “compelling need.” \n  \nI also reviewed your request in light of “other” circumstances that warrant expedited processing \naccording to this agency’s Federal Register Notice Vol. 81, No. 209 (dated Friday, October 28, \n2016).    Such circumstances cover the need for disclosure of the specific records in question \nbecause the requester must meet: a deadline in litigation, either in court or before an \nadministrative tribunal; or a deadline imposed by a governmental agency for commenting on a \nproposed regulation.  I find that none of these circumstances apply here.  \n  \nFinally, in line with the provision of our Federal Register Notice that requires consideration of all \nrequests that do not fall within the circumstances enumerated therein, I have considered the \nsituation set forth in your letter.  Unfortunately, I cannot conclude from the information you have \nprovided that there is “exceptional need or urgency” justifying expedited processing in this case.",
      "summary": "",
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      "page": 1241,
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      "date": "",
      "from": "",
      "subject": "Preserved binder fragment — page 1244",
      "text": "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES   \nCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services \n7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C5-11-06 \nBaltimore, Maryland 21244-1850  \n              \n \nOffice of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs / Freedom of Information Group  \nRequest has been assigned: Control Number 112020247009 and PIN NHX2  \n \n11/21/2024   \n \nDavid Medeiros. \nABI Resources LLC  \nDEPT MR 175960  \n263 Huntington Ave  \nBoston, MA 02115 \n \nDear David Medeiros: \n \nThis letter is to acknowledge receipt of your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. § \n552) request and to provide you with a tracking number.  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid \nServices (CMS) received your FOIA request on November 20, 2024, pertaining to “News Media \n(MuckRock News) Connecticut Provider Information for Medicaid ABI Waiver Program”. \n \nTo check the status of your request as it is being processed, please refer to the CMS FOIA \nwebsite at https://foia-request.cms.gov/check-status and enter the control number and PIN (listed \nat the top of the page) that has been assigned to your request.   \n \nOnce we complete our initial analysis of your request, we will initiate a search for responsive \nrecords.  If, however, we determine that your request needs clarification, we will contact you. \nAdditionally, if our searching units advise us that you have requested a voluminous number of \nrecords that requires extensive search, production, and review, we will contact you to discuss \noptions for narrowing the scope to process your request as quickly and efficiently as possible. \n \nPlease note that CMS receives a very high volume of FOIA requests.  The following unusual \ncircumstances, as defined by 5 USC § 552(a)(6), may affect our ability to fulfill a FOIA request \nwithin 20 business days.  These include circumstances such as (1) the request requires us to \nsearch for and collect records from multiple components and/or field offices; (2) the request \ninvolves a voluminous number of records that must be located, compiled, transferred to this \noffice, and reviewed.  In addition, given our high volume of requests, and in accordance with \nfederal regulations, our processing policy includes factors such as the date and complexity of  \nthe request.  \n \nThe FOIA assumes that requesters are willing to pay fees up to $25.00.  If estimated fees to \nprocess your request exceed $25.00, we will notify you and may suspend processing until we \nreceive written confirmation that you are willing to pay the estimated fees.  Additionally, if the \nestimated fees exceed $250.00, the law authorizes us to collect the fees in advance \nof processing the request.",
      "summary": "",
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      "page": 1244,
      "sha256": "0b64844ab426166034a63e49d971e64fe188cb584f79e8edbbfe7df67a1d1655"
    }
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