Invitation Cover Letter

Attachment 5a Survey Invitation Letter

U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

3311 Toledo Road

Hyattsville, Maryland 20782

<<Date>>

<<Physician Name>>

<<Address Line I>>

<<AddressLine2>>

<<City>>, <<State>> <<Zip>>

Dear Dr. <<Selected Physician>>:

You have been randomly selected to participate in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey Supplement of Primary Care Policies for Managing Patients with High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, or Diabetes. Results from the brief enclosed survey will help the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) learn about the current state of primary care management in the United States for these chronic conditions. I request that you please take the time to answer the questions in this 20-minute research survey and return it in the enclosed envelope. You are not being asked to provide any patient information for this mail survey.

Data collection for the NAMCS is authorized under Section 306 of the Public Health Service Act (Title 42, U.S. Code, 242k). We are required to keep your survey data confidential in accordance with Section 308(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42, U.S. Code, 242m(d)) and the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (Title 5 of PL 107-347). This information will only be used for statistical purposes and only aggregate data will be reported. The NCHS's Research Ethics Review Board has approved this research survey.

We have routinely relied on the generosity of physicians like you to provide this much needed information to help policy makers, health services researchers, and medical associations understand the current issues with health care delivery in the United States. We look forward to receiving your completed survey on this important public health issue. Your participation is voluntary, but your input is critical in helping to ensure that the survey results accurately represent primary care physicians and their practice policies.

Westat, an independent contractor, is administering this survey on behalf of NCHS. If you have any questions about this study, please call their survey support center at 1-855-798-3191 for assistance.

Thank you for your valuable assistance with this worthy study.

Director

National Center for Health Statistics