Social Security Disability Articles
Social Security Administration to use Nationwide Health Information Network
Medical records for some social security disability applicants will be received electronically
On December 16, 2008, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that it will be the first government agency to use the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN), which will allow the agency to receive social security disability records for applicants electronically.
The network will also allow the SSA to have immediate access to medical records. Authorities are anticipating the use of the network will shorten the time it takes the agency to make social security disability decisions. Currently, the SSA relies on doctors, hospitals and others in the healthcare industry to provide medical records for social security disability applicants.
For more information about the NHIN, visit the United States Department of Health and Human Services website.
Source: “Social Security to be First Government Agency to Use Nationwide Health Information Network,” Social Security Administration Press Release, December 16, 2008.
Social Security Administration announces initiative to expedite processing of disability claims
Compassionate Allowances initiative could result in 6-9 percent of disability claims being decided in days
On October 27, 2008, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced the beginning of a national campaign, called the Compassionate Allowances initiative, meant to speed up the processing of disability claims for applicants whose conditions are severe enough to obviously meet the Administration’s standards. Fifty medical conditions currently make up the list of impairments the Administration will use to more quickly process applications.
Compassionate Allowances, when combined with the Social Security Administration’s Quick Disability Determination process, could result in disability claims for a quarter million people being decided in an average of six to eight days.
The program is intended to benefit disability applicants whose claims require expedited consideration because of the nature of their diseases. Compassionate Allowances was created in part due to the disability backlogs that cause a hardship for patients and their families.
Source: “Social Security announces nationwide launch of Compassionate Allowances,” Social Security Administration Press Release, October 27, 2008.
Social Security Administration announces 5.8 percent increase in disability income benefits
Increase amounts to $64 more per month for average recipient
On October 16, 2008, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a 5.8 percent increase in income benefits for disabled people, affecting 55 million Americans. The increase is the largest cost-of-living adjustment since 1982, and amounts to an extra $63 per month for the average recipient.
Retirees and advocacy groups have pushed for the increase for years. Seniors relying on Social Security disability benefits find it difficult to adjust to higher prices on goods like gas and prescription medications. A recent survey conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) determined that 59 percent of people aged 65 or older found it more difficult to pay for food, gas and medicine.
Some think the disability benefits increase may not be enough, however, when considering larger increases in other costs, like health care; certain Medicare premiums are estimated to increase by more than 20 percent.
Source: Michael S. Rosenwald, “Social Security benefits to rise 5.8 percent,” Washington Post, October 17, 2008.
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