The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that physicians may now submit medical records electronically to AeDIB, Social Security's paperless electronic disability file of the future. Records may be submitted via an SSA website or by fax. The system as described is essentially the same as the one under development that will allow claimants' attorneys to submit medical evidence electronically.
Dec 12, 2005
Bush Has Even Grander Plans for Social Security
According to a Time Magazine article (go to the 4th page):
Once he gets past the midterm elections, Bush plans to introduce a concept that, if anything, is even more ambitious than his failed Social Security plan: a grand overhaul that would include not only that program but Medicare and Medicaid as well.
More on Glenn Sklar Presentation
Kevin Morton gives his take on Glenn Sklar's presentation in Winston-Salem on December 9, 2005.
Disability Backlogs and Inconsistency
Social Security is not the only agency having problems adjudicating disability claims. Here is an excerpt from a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study of disability determination at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that should sound familiar to those involved in disability determination at SSA.
While VA made progress in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 reducing the size and age of its inventory of pending claims, it has lost ground since the end of fiscal year 2003. For example, pending claims increased by over one-third from the end of fiscal year 2003 to the end of fiscal year 2005. Meanwhile, VA faces continuing questions about its ability to ensure that veterans get consistent decisions across its 57 regional offices.
Dec 11, 2005
SSN Issues at Universities
A study by Social Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) has found that many universities use Social Security Numbers (SSNs) as unique identifiers for students. OIG concluded that "unnecessary use of SSNs increases the potential for unscrupulous individuals to illegitimately gain access to these numbers and misuse them, thus creating SSN integrity issues."
Dec 10, 2005
Commissioner's Proposal Final By February?
Glenn Sklar, Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Disability Programs at Social Security, spoke on Friday, December 9 at a continuing legal education conference sponsored by the NC Academy of Trial Lawyers. Most of his presentation concerned Commissioner Barnhart's proposal for a revamped disability determination appeals structure. Sklar told the group that "Every day there are meetings about the comments" received on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). He said to expect a final rule within about six months. Sklar indicated that there had been many comments made on the NPRM and that "No doubt the final rule will be different" from the NPRM.
Nancy Shor, the executive director of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR) also spoke. She said that she expected the Commissioner's proposal to become a final rule by January or February 2006 at the latest.
Bruce Goldin, the Deputy Director of the Division of Information Technology Integration of the Office of Hearings and Appeals at Social Security spoke about the status of AeDib. He showed a website under development that would allow authorized attorneys and representatives to upload via the internet medical evidence to be placed in a claimant's file. This is still in the earliest stages of trials.
Nancy Shor, the executive director of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR) also spoke. She said that she expected the Commissioner's proposal to become a final rule by January or February 2006 at the latest.
Bruce Goldin, the Deputy Director of the Division of Information Technology Integration of the Office of Hearings and Appeals at Social Security spoke about the status of AeDib. He showed a website under development that would allow authorized attorneys and representatives to upload via the internet medical evidence to be placed in a claimant's file. This is still in the earliest stages of trials.
University Use of SSNs
A study by Social Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) has found that many universities use Social Security Numbers as unique identifiers for students. OIG concluded that "unnecessary use of SSNs increases the potential for unscrupulous individuals to illegitimately gain access to these numbers and misuse them, thus creating SSN integrity issues."
Dec 9, 2005
Stats on Fee Payments
Social Security has published statistics on payment of fees to attorneys and qualifying non-attorney representatives in 2005.
| Month/Year | Volume | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Jan-05 | 20,744 | $68,463,778.57 |
Feb-05 | 20,447 | $68,137,343.20 |
Mar-05 | 20,522 | $67,741,247.04 |
Apr-05 | 27,563 | $91,228,724.50 |
May-05 | 21,047 | $70,574,688.29 |
June-05 | 19,847 | $66,810,743.37 |
July-05 | 25,840 | $86,788,514.16 |
Aug-05 | 22,569 | $76,249,416.56 |
Sep-05 | 20,403 | $67,828,460.26 |
Oct-05 | 19,217 | $64,828,683.10 |
Nov-05 | 18,179 | $60,507,993.77 |
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