Disclosure of Statistics (CMS or Contractors)- (Rev. 1, 09-11-02)

160 - Disclosure of Statistics (CMS or Contractors)- (Rev. 1, 09-11-02) CMS and its agents may disclose statistical data and similar information that does not relate to any identifiable person or persons. However, they are not required to create records for requestors by compiling selected items from the files, nor are they required to create records to provide such data as ratios, proportions, percentages, per capitas, frequency distributions, trends, correlations or comparisons. They may, however, create such records when efficient administration permits. Final authority to determine when "efficient administration permits" rests with CMS. The contractor will refer requests for information, which can be created by hand, to the RO unless the requestor is willing to accept copies of the pages containing the data needed to compile the requested information (i.e., the requester is willing to do the necessary compilation). The contractor will refer requests for information, which must be created by machine (e.g., computer programs to manipulate data and print results), to the RO. CMS and the contractors have a joint obligation to ensure that the program is clearly and accurately represented and that the public is given a complete picture of program performance. There are certain problems in accurately representing program performance by means of statistical data alone, since some groupings of statistics are subject to inadvertent inaccuracies or are susceptible to misinterpretation. Careful judgment is, therefore, essential in presenting information on operating and payment activities.