Privacy Act of 1974; Report of New System of Records

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In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, we are proposing a new SOR titled, "Medicare Premium Withhold System (PWS), No. 09-70-0552." On December 8, 2003, Congress passed the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Public Law (Pub. L.) 108-173). Among other provisions, MMA allows Medicare payment to health plans for coverage of outpatient prescription drugs under the Medicare Part D benefit. The Social Security Act (the Act) provides for four summary payment mechanisms: Risk adjusted, federal reinsurance subsidies, risk corridor payments, and subsidized coverage for qualified low-income individuals. In addition, there is a premium payable by each beneficiary for Part D coverage, as well as the pre-existing premium for Part C (now known as Medicare Advantage (MA)), created under Title II legislation. Beginning January 2006, MMA will provide enrollees in MA, and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans an option to have Part C and Part D premiums withheld from their monthly retirement annuities provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), or Office of Personnel Management (