[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10466]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 3, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Social Security Administration

 

Disability Process Reengineering Proposal: Notice of Public 
Meeting

Agency: Social Security Administration, HHS.

Action: Notice of public meeting.

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Summary: Notice is hereby given that the Disability Process 
Reengineering Team of the Social Security Administration (SSA) will 
hold a public meeting to discuss the proposal to redesign the 
disability claims process that was issued on March 31, 1994 and 
published as a notice in the Federal Register on April 15, 1994. This 
proposal was developed by the Disability Process Reengineering Team--
comprised of SSA and State Disability Determination Services (DDS) 
employees--and is intended to achieve dramatic improvements in customer 
service to the public. This public meeting is being held in conjunction 
with a national dialogue period to obtain the views, concerns, and 
ideas of all interested parties before the Team makes a final 
recommendation to the Commissioner of Social Security on what changes 
should be made to the disability claims process. The national dialogue 
period will end on May 27, 1994.

Dates: May 16, 1994, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Addresses: VOA Auditorium, Department of Health and Human Services, 
Cohen Building, 330 Independence Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20201.

For Further Information Contact: Disability Process Reengineering Team, 
Room 4-N-3, Operations Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 
21235, (410)966-8255.

Supplementary Information: The aim of the proposal to redesign the 
disability claims process is to achieve dramatically improved levels of 
service to the public. For purposes of this initiative, the process 
considered begins with the initial contact of the claimant when an 
intent to file an application for disability benefits is expressed, and 
continues through the payment of benefits or the final administrative 
appeal.
    The proposed redesigned process is characterized by opportunities 
for claimants to participate fully throughout the process, enabled by 
information about the process and personal contact with a single 
employee during the initial claims process. The appeals process is 
streamlined, with more efficient management of pre-hearing development 
and an opportunity for claimants to receive favorable decisions without 
a hearing if the evidence so warrants, or faster decisions if a hearing 
is held. The decision methodology used at all levels would be 
simplified and streamlined to be more understandable by lay persons and 
medical persons alike, and there is an emphasis on individualized 
functional assessment. Employees work in an atmosphere characterized by 
teamwork, contributions by claimants and interested third parties, 
adequate training and quality feedback, and technological supports.
    The Team's proposal intends to make the process more efficient and 
customer friendly for all claimants for Social Security or Supplemental 
Security Income disability benefits; to give claimants the right 
decision at the earliest point possible in the process. It is the 
Team's intention that claims for benefits which are correctly paid 
today will continue to be paid, but in a more expedited manner. The 
Team's proposal is not intended to affect the benefits of current 
disability beneficiaries, to reduce the percentage of cases that are 
allowed under the current process, or to make it more difficult for an 
individual to be found disabled.
    The Disability Process Reengineering Team is interested in 
receiving public comments on the concepts in the proposal, particularly 
the public's response to the following questions about the proposal's 
goals:
     Does the proposal have the potential to provide a process 
that is easy for claimants and those who assist claimants to access and 
understand?
     Will it enable SSA and the State DDS to make the right 
decision the first time a case is adjudicated?
     Will it result in dramatically improved processing times?
     Will it result in a more efficient use of SSA and State 
DDS personnel?
     Will it create jobs for employees in the process that are 
satisfying?
    In considering these questions, interested parties are encouraged 
to identify factors that would assure that the proposed concepts will 
achieve these goals. To the extent that the proposal is not seen as 
achieving these goals, alternative suggestions about how to do so are 
of particular interest to the Team.
    The Commissioner of Social Security or her designee will preside 
over the public meeting and chair a panel including members of the 
Disability Process Reengineering Team. The meeting will be open to the 
public to the extent that space is available. Individuals who would 
like to present comments to the panel should contact the Project Team 
at 410-966-8255 by COB May 11, 1994 to sign up for a specific time for 
their presentations. Times for presentations will be scheduled on a 
first-come, first-served basis. Time allowing, each presenter will be 
given 5 minutes to make a presentation to the panel. Participants in 
this meeting are asked to submit 1 written copy of their full 
presentation on the day of the public meeting and be prepared to give 
an abbreviated statement at the public meeting.
    While we will try to provide all interested parties with an 
opportunity to present comments to the panel, individuals who do not 
pre-register to make a presentation may not be able to be accommodated 
within the three hours reserved for the meeting. In such cases, written 
statements may be submitted on the day of the public meeting. A sign 
language interpreter will be available; the room is accessible for 
wheelchairs.
    Written comments on the proposed disability claims process 
published in the April 15, 1994 Federal Register should be directed to: 
SSA--Disability Process Reengineering Project, P.O. Box 17052, 
Baltimore, MD 21235. Written comments can also be telefaxed to 410-966-
9884. Comments should be sent by May 27, 1994 to ensure that they will 
be considered.
    The transcript of the meeting will be available at cost. 
Transcripts may be ordered from the Project Team. The transcript will 
become part of the record of this meeting.

    Dated: April 25, 1994.
Rhoda M. G. Davis,
Director, Process Reengineering Program.
[FR Doc. 94-10466 Filed 5-2-94; 8:45 am]
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