One component of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) of the Public Health Service (PHS), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). OHTA evaluates, on request from the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), the risks, benefits, and clinical effectiveness of new or unestablished medical technologies that are being considered for coverage under Medicare. The assessments of OHTA form the basis for recommendations to HCFA as to coverage policy decisions under Medicare. “Health Technology Assessment Reports” are produced from the data collected and analyzed by OHTA. The reports are available without charge from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).