[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 167 (Monday, August 30, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 47218-47219] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-22421] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Modifications to the Disability Determination Procedures; Disability Claims Process Redesign Prototype
Agency
Social Security Administration.
Action
Notice of a prototype involving modifications to the disability determination procedures.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is announcing a prototype involving a combination of modifications to the disability determination process. Before proceeding to national implementation, we expect that this prototype will provide a body of information about what impact these modifications may have on agency operations, notice and other procedures, as well as the resulting quality and timeliness of decisions for the public.
Dates
Selection of cases to be included in the prototype will begin on or about October 1, 1999 and is expected to be concluded on or about December 31, 2001. If the Agency decides to continue the prototype beyond this date, another notice will be published in the Federal Register.
For Further Information Contact
Harry Pippin, Social Security Administration, Office of Disability, Disability Process Redesign Staff, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland, 21235-6401, 410- 965-9203.
Supplementary Information
Current rules codified at 20 CFR 404.906 and 416.1406 authorize us to test modifications to the disability determination procedures individually or in any combination. Under this authority, several tests have been conducted. We are now announcing a prototype that incorporates multiple modifications to the disability determination procedures employed by State Disability Determination Services (DDS) which have been shown to be effective in earlier tests. Specifically, the prototype incorporates a series of changes that improve the initial disability determination process by: providing greater decisional authority to the disability examiner and more effective use of the expertise of the medical consultant; ensuring appropriate development and explanation of key issues; increasing opportunities for claimant interaction with the decision maker before a determination is made; and simplifying the appeals process by eliminating the reconsideration step. Focusing initially on 10 states enables us to further refine the process and learn more about potential operational impacts before moving to national implementation. This strategy allows us to put the complete process together and ensure that the changes meet our goal of improved service to disability applicants.
Use of an Adjudication Officer authorized under 20 CFR 404.906 and 416.1406, will not be included in the prototype. However, along with the prototype, we will incorporate several initiatives to improve the hearings process, including administrative efficiencies designed to streamline case processing; structural changes in the management organization of hearings offices; improvements in automation and data collection; and implementation of a ``national workflow model'' that combines pre-hearing activities, a standardized pre-hearing conference, and processing-time benchmarks for various tasks. The prototype will be conducted in 10 states. For DDS branches listed here under Group I, all Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability applicants will participate in the Prototype--with the exception of Social Security disability claims filed for purposes of Medicare entitlement only. In States listed under Group II, only those applicants whose disability claims are processed by the listed branch of the State DDS will participate. On a national basis, approximately 20 percent of applicants for disability benefits will participate in the prototype .
Group I
State of Alabama Department of Education, Disability Determination Services, 2545 Rocky Ridge Lane, Birmingham, AL 35216 Department of Education, Disability Determination Services, 2000 Old Bayfront Drive, Mobile, AL 36652
State of Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Disability Determination Unit, 619 East Ship Creek Avenue, Suite 305, Anchorage, AK 99501
State of Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Disability Determination, 2530 South Parker Road, Suite 500, Aurora, CO 80014-1641
State of Louisiana Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support, Disability Determination Services, 445 North 12th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support, Disability Determination Services, 5905 Florida Blvd, Suite 3, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support, Disability Determination Services, 2920 Knight Street, Suite 232, Shreveport, LA 71105 Department of Social Services, Disability Determination Services, Suite 301, 3510 North Causeway Blvd., Metairie, LA 70002
State of Michigan Department of Social Services, Disability Determination Services, 608 W Allegan Street, Third Floor, Lansing, MI 48933 Department of Social Services, Disability Determination Services, MI Plaza Building, Tenth Floor, 1200 Sixth Street, Detroit, MI 48226 Department of Social Services, Disability Determination Services, 315 E Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 Department of Social Services, Disability Determination Services, 151 South Rose Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007-4715 State of Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Dept of Elementary & Secondary Education, Section of Disability Determinations, 3024 West Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65109-0525 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Dept of Elementary & Secondary Education, Section of Disability Determinations, 1500 B. Southridge Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Dept of Elementary & Secondary Education, Section of Disability Determinations, 1845 Borman Court, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63146 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Dept of Elementary & Secondary Education, Section of Disability Determinations, 4040 Seven Hills Drive, Florissant, MO 63033 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Dept of Elementary & Secondary Education, Section of Disability Determinations, 8500 East Bannister Road, Kansas City, MO 64134 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Dept of Elementary & Secondary Education, Section of Disability Determinations, 3014 Blattner Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Dept of Elementary & Secondary Education, Section of Disability Determinations, 2530 I. South Campbell, Springfield, MO 65807
State of New Hampshire Division of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation, Disability Determination Services, State Dept of Education Building JB, 78 Regional Drive, Concord, NH 033301 State of Pennsylvania Bureau of Disability Determination, Room 200-Central Operations, 1171 South Camerson Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104-2594 Bureau of Disability Determination, 264 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 Bureau of Disability Determination, 351 Harvey Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15605
Group II
State of California Department of Social Services, Disability and Adult Programs Division, 3435 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90010
State of New York Division of Disability Determinations, 99 Washington Avenue, Room 1239, Albany, NY 12260 Division of Disability Determinations, 22 Cortlandt Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10007-3107
Dated: August 24, 1999. Sue C. Davis, Director, Disability Process Redesign Team. [FR Doc. 99-22421 Filed 8-27-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4190-29-P