[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 87 (Friday, May 3, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 19969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11020]



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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Testing Modifications to the Disability Determination Procedures; 
Test Sites for Single Decisionmaker Model

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Notice of the test sites and the duration of tests involving a 
single decisionmaker.

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SUMMARY: The Social Security Administration is announcing the locations 
and the duration of tests that it will conduct under the final rules 
published in the Federal Register on April 24, 1995 (60 FR 20023). 
These final rules authorize the testing of several modifications to the 
disability determination procedures that we normally follow in 
adjudicating claims for disability insurance benefits under title II of 
the Social Security Act (the Act) and claims for supplemental security 
income (SSI) payments based on disability under title XVI of the Act. 
This notice announces the test sites and duration of tests involving 
use of a single decisionmaker who may make the disability determination 
without requiring the signature of a medical consultant.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margy LaFond, Models Team Leader, 
Office of Disability, Disability Process Redesign Staff, Social 
Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 
21235, 410-965-1835.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 24, 1995, we published final rules 
in the Federal Register authorizing us to test different modifications 
to the disability determination procedures. The tests are designed to 
provide us with information so that we can determine the effectiveness 
of the models in improving the disability process. Prior to commencing 
each test or group of tests, we will publish a notice in the Federal 
Register describing the models that we will test, where the test sites 
will be, and the duration of the tests. On or about May 1, 1996, we 
will begin tests of the single decisionmaker model. Under this model, a 
single decisionmaker may make disability determinations, without 
generally requiring a medical consultant to sign the disability 
determination forms that we use to certify the determination. We plan 
to test the use of a single decisionmaker in nine sites in seven 
states. We will select cases for evaluation of these tests for 
approximately six months, and may continue to have cases processed for 
another six months. The sites selected represent a mix of geographic 
areas and case loads. For the purpose of these tests, the single 
decisionmaker will be an employee of the state agency that makes 
disability determinations for us. The decisionmaker will make the 
initial disability determination after any appropriate consultation 
with a medical consultant. However, before an initial determination is 
made that a claimant is not disabled in any case which indicates the 
existence of a mental impairment, the decisionmaker will make every 
reasonable effort to ensure that a qualified psychiatrist or 
psychologist has completed the medical portion of the case review and 
any applicable residual functional capacity assessment pursuant to our 
existing procedures. Similarly, in making a determination with respect 
to the disability of an individual under age 18 applying for SSI 
payments based on disability, the decisionmaker will make reasonable 
efforts to ensure that a qualified pediatrician or other individual who 
specializes in a field of medicine appropriate to the child's 
impairment(s) evaluates the claim. Tests of the single decisionmaker 
model will be held at the following locations:
     Department of Social Services, Disability Evaluation 
Division, 1510 E. Herndon, Fresno, CA 93720;
     Department of Social Services, Disability Evaluation 
Division, 3750 Rosin Court, Suite 120, Sacramento, CA 95834;
     Department of Social Services, Disability Evaluation 
Division, 4255 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123;
     Division of Determination Services, Disability 
Determination Services, 10065 East Harvard Avenue, Suite 207, Denver, 
CO 80222;
     Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Disability 
Determination Services, North Griffin Park, 10 Griffin Road N., 
Windsor, CT 06095;
     Department of Jobs and Training, Division of 
Rehabilitation Services, Social Security Disability Determinations 
Services, Metro Square Building, Suite 300, Seventh and Roberts 
Streets, St. Paul, MN 55101;
     Nebraska Department of Education, Disability Determination 
Section, 808 P Street, 4th Floor, Lincoln, NE 68508;
     North Carolina Division of Social Services, Disability 
Determination Services, 321 Chapanoke Road, Raleigh, NC 27603;
     Department of Social and Health Services, Medical 
Assistance Administration, Division of Disability Determination 
Services, Airdustrial Way SW, Building 16, Tumwater, WA 98501; and
     SSA, District Office, 6128 E. 38th Street, Tulsa, OK 
74121.
    Not all cases received in the test sites listed above will be 
handled under the test procedures. However, if a claim is selected to 
be handled by a single decisionmaker as part of the test, the claim 
will be processed under the procedures established under the final 
rules cited above.

    Dated: April 26, 1996.
Shirley Chater,
Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. 96-11020 Filed 5-2-96; 8:45 am]
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