From Science Daily:
Broader use of standardized psychological testing for applicants submitting disability claims to the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) should improve the accuracy and consistency of disability determinations, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. Some proponents of mandatory psychological testing, in particular validity testing, for SSA disability applicants argue that it would result in a significant reduction of individuals allowed onto the benefits rolls and a substantial cost savings. The committee that conducted the study and wrote the report said the data necessary to accurately assess the effects on the rolls or calculate financial costs and benefits are limited, and estimates based on available data are subject to considerable error. ...
Cognitive psychological tests are performance-based and have people answer questions and solve problems as well as they possibly can. Non-cognitive psychological tests are measures of typical behavior -- such as personality, interests, values, and attitudes. Validity tests can be used in conjunction with these standardized psychological tests to assess whether a test-taker is exerting sufficient effort to perform well, responding to the best of his or her capability, or providing an accurate report of his or her symptoms. ...
The committee recommended that under specified conditions, SSA should require standardized, non-cognitive psychological testing for all applicants whose allegation of non-cognitive functional impairment relates to a mental disorder unaccompanied by cognitive complaints or to a disorder with physical symptoms that are disproportionate to the medical findings. Testing should be required when the allegation is based primarily on the applicant's self-reporting of symptoms and is not accompanied by objective medical evidence or longitudinal medical records sufficient to make a disability determination. In addition, the SSA should require standardized cognitive testing be included in the case record for all applicants whose allegation of cognitive impairment is not accompanied by objective medical evidence. ...
I'm sure someone is going to have a problem with this...
ReplyDeleteWhy not a polygraph test? Or trial by ordeal?
ReplyDeleteOr waterboarding until the claimants admit they're lying...
ReplyDeleteI think self diagnosis is the way to go...I mean what could go wrong? Why have to validate your claim, just pay up!
ReplyDeleteI am also sure the validity testing will be as thorough and professional as the other exams Social Security has for claimants.
ReplyDeleteThis was one of the most important findings of the IOM report:
ReplyDelete"However, validity tests do not provide information about whether an individual is disabled, and a determination that the validity testing alone was not proved valid is insufficient grounds for denying a disability claim."
Some snake oil salesmen are trying get SSA to buy the notion that there is some validity test that can be used to easily decide a mental illness claim one way or another. The IOM correctly found that such does not exist. A test result can be invalid for many reasons which might not be in the claimant's control.
They should hold all mental health related hearings in Salem, preferably near a body of water.
ReplyDeleteDo what the VA does: Let the disability applications get stuck in processing, then wait for the applicants to die off. Should save a lot of money that way.
ReplyDeleteThe psychologists are seeking validation of their trade, when in fact they deserve no such thing.
ReplyDelete"Virtually everyone is a malingerer according to this scale," says a leading critic, James Butcher, a retired University of Minnesota psychologist who has published research faulting the Fake Bad Scale. "This is great for insurance companies, but not great for people."
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB120466776681911325
ROTFLOL!!!! @9:49 AM
ReplyDeleteAmen to Anon 12.25 AM I have been fighting the VA on a Claim since Apr of 2006 won the first time and got a 10%. They low balled me and it is in Remand at this time. I will not give up, I will fight them until a win.
ReplyDeleteAs the pendulum at the DDS's swing from time to time due to changes in the political landscape, DDS Directors in more liberal states have banned the use of validity testing for the past 8 to 10 years. There are a number of very recognized tests used for validity, but the directors were advised the answers to several of these tests (not just the REYS, were posted on the internet and blogged, with specific "how-to's" to get around them for claimants. And then, of course, is the added expense to the DDS's to have sufficient CE medical providers who have and administer the tests (they have to be purchased from the test publisher by each provider & costs range from a few hundred up to $25K for the test kits). There is no one easy answer. I can say this, the stats on the percent of fraudulent claims has been misrepresented for over a decade. Sad. PS: taking money from retirees is not the answer. DC has an unlimited thirst for other people's money, eh?
ReplyDeleteFYI the 'Fake Bad Scale' applies to the MMPI, which is pricey to administer and it's scoring is a science in and of itself. Manuals to teach and explain the scoring of the MMPI are 500-800 pages each. I have both taken the test and read the manuals. Dry stuff indeed, but proven and accepted by most courts as appropriate, since there are less than 90 real questions buried in the 600 question exam, the rest are placebo.
ReplyDeleteDon't you guys realize...this is all Eric Conn's fault too!
ReplyDeleteThis type of testing would cost a fortune! Methinks the psych test writers are looking for a handout.
ReplyDeleteIsn't everyone?
Delete"I am also sure the validity testing will be as thorough and professional as the other exams Social Security has for claimants."
ReplyDeleteBravo!
Justin