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Aug 17, 2013

Investigation In Puerto Rico

     From the Wall Street Journal:
Federal investigators on Wednesday searched six facilities in Puerto Rico as part of a broadening probe into potential widespread disability fraud.
Investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Social Security inspector general’s office, among others, searched five doctors’ offices and one other location as part of their sweep, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney in Puerto Rico said. The spokeswoman wouldn’t comment further, saying it was part of a continuing investigation and that the six search warrants were sealed. ...
In 2006, just 36% of initial applicants in Puerto Rico were awarded benefits. In December 2010, the award rate had jumped to 69%. By 2010, nine of the top 10 U.S. ZIP Codes for workers receiving disability benefits were on the island. ...
The characteristics of Puerto Rico’s beneficiaries differed from other areas. In addition to the large clusters in certain zip codes, federal data showed that 33.3% of Puerto Rican beneficiaries qualified because of “mood disorders,” a rate that is at least 10 percentage points higher than any U.S. state.

4 comments:

  1. That's crazy!!! I refuse to believe anyone, including medical professionals, would try and collect disability benefits through fraudulent means. We all no there's no fraud in SSA's programs.

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  2. I am shocked, shocked, that anyone would find, yet alone suspect, that there is fraud in SSA programs!

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  3. Higher award rate could also be due to easier grid rule application - the whole "illiterate/unable to communicate in English" thing...

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    1. I'm not sure, but I don't think lack of English proficiency is huge deal IN Puerto Rico. If that is true though, then I give up!

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