[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 6, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62722-62723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21844]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. SSA-2007-0086]


Social Security Claims Data Exchange Announcement

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Invitation to Social Security Benefits Service 
Providers for Web Service Beta Test.

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SUMMARY: The Social Security Administration (SSA) is pleased to 
announce that, in 2008; the agency will develop and implement a Beta 
test of a web service which will allow the submission of Initial-level 
claims, including Disability applications and Adult Disability Reports, 
from companies who assist the public with filing for benefits.
    In 2008, SSA plans to develop the web service to initially collect 
data on the Internet Social Security Benefit Application and Disability 
Report. Note that when a third party submits an application, SSA must 
contact the claimant before it is considered valid. In the initial 
phase, organizations will be able to submit claims data in bulk and 
receive a confirmation of receipt of the submitted data. In subsequent 
phases, the systems interface will also include the ability for 
organizations to check on the status of previously submitted claims 
information.
    SSA would like to extend an invitation to companies who assist 
individuals with their Social Security benefit applications, to 
participate in this web service claims data exchange Beta test. The 
Beta test is structured to use the ``consolidator'' model, where the 
participating company serves as a conduit to receive claims data from 
their client base and electronically transfer the data to SSA.
    After the initial disability claims data collection effort in 2008 
is evaluated, SSA will add functional capabilities in future years to 
collect data on electronic appeal forms and integrated claims 
applications. This multi-year initiative will provide a comprehensive 
systems interface for companies to send claims data (including Title II 
Retirement and Spouse application data, disability data, and medical 
evidence) to SSA on behalf of their clients. The envisioned long-range 
solution beyond 2008 is a web service that will facilitate the 
collection of data through the entire life-cycle of Internet 
applications, including Title II and Title XVI initial claims and 
appeals.

DATES: Companies which are interested in participating in this web 
service beta test and meet the criteria should send an e-mail to 
[email protected] by November 8, 2007. Upon receipt of your 
e-mail we will invite you to a teleconference that is planned for 
November 15, 2007 to discuss any questions that you may have. Please 
note that prior to the teleconference all companies will be expected to 
sign a participation agreement attesting that the selection criteria is 
met. Reference Web Service Beta Test in the subject field of your e-
mail and include the following information: Contact name, mailing 
address, phone and facsimile numbers, and e-mail address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Joyner, 410-966-2838.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Basic Functionality

    SSA is interested in expanding the relationship with businesses by 
allowing the submission of claims-related data to SSA for multiple 
applicants using standardized data exchange protocols. SSA would like 
to leverage the data that businesses may already have in their records, 
without requiring the labor-intensive process of keying information 
into a web interface one claim at a time.

Technical Information

    The Social Security Benefits Data Web Service will be a J2EE 
application which uses Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and Web 
Services Description Language (WSDL) specifications. The secure 
offering adheres to Version 1.0 of the Web Services-Interoperability 
Organization (WS-I) Basic Profile. SOAP message integrity will be 
ensured by following Web Services Security Version 1.0 standards. 
Because of this approach to standardization, Third Party Bulk Claims 
Providers can program in their environment of choice (e.g., Java, 
Visual Studio, .NET, and Perl) to invoke the service and feel confident 
that their claims data submissions will not be compromised upon 
delivery to SSA. The Web Service will be integrated into SSA's existing 
Secure Web Services Architecture which requires the WS-Security 
Username Token Profile and Digital Signature standards.
    The claims data Web service will accept XML file format as input, 
and these files may be optionally compressed. Files may be attached to 
the message using the SOAP Message Transmission Optimization Mechanism, 
or they may be transmitted inline as base64 encoded data.
    Throughout 2008, SSA will be finalizing this Social Security 
Benefits Data Web Service offering and allowing businesses to 
participate in planned Beta tests. The WSDL which is required to invoke 
the service will be made available to the public next year with a 
developer's guide to follow shortly thereafter. The participating 
businesses will need to register with SSA to obtain a Secure Web 
Service Integrated Registration Services (IRES) PIN/password and are 
prepared to support the Beta test period.
    Tentative key dates for the Social Security Benefits Data Web 
Service are:

Design and Development (November 2007-July 2008).
Validation and Integration (July 2008-December 2008).
Beta Implementation of Internet Social Security Benefit Application 
data (September 2008).
Beta Implementation of Internet Disability Report data (December 2008).

    Businesses must meet the following criteria in order to participate 
in this Beta Test:
    1. Companies must have the current capability to write their own 
claims software, user guide and documentation.
    2. Companies must have the current capability to electronically 
submit Initial-level disability claims to SSA for processing or provide 
the ability for their customers to equally do so.
    3. Companies must have the ability to modify their claims 
submission environment in time to participate in testing with SSA 
beginning July 2008.
    Participating organizations must also adhere to SSA's policies, 
procedures and laws relative, but not limited to: Disclaimers, 
liability, security, integrity, privacy, entitlement factors, and 
benefit eligibility. The sole intention is to provide a facilitating 
web service to

[[Page 62723]]

meet client demands. SSA retains the right to deny electronic delivery 
of claims data without confirmation of a valid electronic receipt. SSA 
reserves the right to deny and/or terminate testing and/or any 
agreements.
    This is not a request for proposal and the Government does not 
intend to pay for information submitted. Nothing in this announcement 
or a contractor's subsequent participation in this Web service beta 
test shall be construed as obligating the Government to incur any 
participating company's costs in developing the web service.

    Dated: October 31, 2007.
Michael J. Astrue,
Commissioner of Social Security.
 [FR Doc. E7-21844 Filed 11-5-07; 8:45 am]
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