ASPEN J&A

This is a limited source justification for IT support services for the Automated Survey Process Environment (ASPEN).

The Automated Surveyor Processing Environment (ASPEN) is a comprehensive information system that supports CMS' Survey and Certification processes, data collection and enforces CMS business rules. The ASPEN system is unique because it is written in older .NET technology utilizing a client/server structure that is outdated. The current CMS ASPEN environment:
Supports the daily activities of more than 6,000 users, including central office, regional office, and state survey agencies
Is the primary tool used by these agencies to ensure healthcare providers/suppliers meet CMS health and life-safe ty standards
Provides information technology services and specialized business area expertise for management of CMS' healthcare-provider quality assurance operations.
Allows managers and staff to share information across all activities that comprise survey and certification
Manages certification workload and task scheduling, to respond to complaints/incidents promptly
Captures data during the inspection process and to implement enforcement actions when necessary
Enforces CMS business rules in a secured operating environment
Is critical to accomplishing CMS's mission of safeguarding Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and ensuring the quality of services received
Fulfills CMS action items pursuant to GAO and OIG reports and Congressional committee corrective action plans on the Nursing Home enforcement and complaints processes
Fulfills CMS's statutory obligation to administer and oversee the Medicare/Medicaid and CLIA programs
Supports and implements provisions of the Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act (OBRA) 1987 & 1989, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Balanced Budget Act (BBA) 1997, and the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA), and numerous other regulations
Is critical to CMS's payment and quality of care improvement processes and the support of statutory mandates and major CMS and DHHS initiatives.