Allsup Commemorates Social Security’s 75th Anniversary

Historical data illustrate changes in Social Security retirement, disability programs

 Belleville, Ill – Aug. 11, 2010 – When the Social Security Act was signed into law 75 years ago, it introduced a form of economic security that didn’t exist for the elderly. Nineteen years later, the disability division was created. The Great Depression was a triggering event for the original legislation, and now, during the current economic crisis, individuals and their families are realizing the crucial support provided by Social Security’s programs, according to Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security disability representation and Medicare plan selection services.

 “The Social Security Administration and its nearly 65,000 workers continue to provide an invaluable service to Americans who retire or who can no longer work because of disability,” said Jim Allsup, president and CEO of Allsup. “We honor SSA workers’ dedication to public service and thank them for making these programs possible. We especially recognize their commitment to improve Social Security’s disability backlog crisis. We hope that government and industry can work together to ensure that all Americans with disabilities receive the benefits they have earned.”

 To help commemorate the anniversary that falls on Aug. 14, 2010, Allsup highlights some of the features of the program from then and now, and highlights lesser-known aspects of Social Security. One of those features is the “disability freeze” that protects retirement benefits when someone receives Social Security disability benefits. People receiving Social Security disability benefits eventually transition to retirement benefits when they reach full retirement age. Enacted in 1954, the “freeze” means that when someone has years of little or no earnings because of a disability, those years are not included in the calculation for retirement benefits. This protects someone’s level of retirement benefits and insured status. More insights are provided below.

 Social Security: Then and Now

Beneficiaries (receiving benefits)

1937:           53,236 total beneficiaries

2010:           58,541,000 total beneficiaries in the month of June

 Benefits issued (dollars)

1937:           $1,278,000 beneficiary payments for that year

2010:           $57,092,000,000 beneficiary payments in the month of June

 Workers’ insured status

1940:           24.2 million workers insured for retirement benefits

1954:           70.2 million workers insured for retirement benefits

                  31.9 million workers insured for disability benefits

2010:           206.5 million workers insured for retirement benefits

                  152.4 million workers insured for disability benefits

Average monthly benefit, individual

1947:           $25 per month, retirement

1960:           $74.04 per month, retirement

                  $89.31 per month, disability

2010:           $1,169.90 per month, retirement (June)

                  $1,065.40 per month, disability (June)

 Social Security: Did You Know?

• Nearly 80 million: Number of baby boomers filing for retirement benefits in the next 20 years.

• 10,000: Average number of baby boomers filing for retirement every day.

• 5: Key insurance benefits programs administered and/or supported by the Social Security Administration include: Retirement Insurance Program, Survivors Insurance Program, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Medicare. SSI is a needs-based program that provides stipends to low-income individuals who are blind, disabled, or age 65 or older.

• 1965: Year when amendments to the Social Security Act provided hospital insurance (later known as Medicare) to those age 65 or older who were entitled to monthly Social Security retirement benefits. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid administers the program, but individuals can file for Medicare benefits through the SSA.

• 52.7: Average age of workers receiving SSDI benefits in 2009.

• 1972: Year when the act was amended to institute a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), intended to help benefits keep pace with inflation.

• 7.65: Percent tax rate paid (each) by employees and their employers toward the Social Security insurance programs, including retirement, disability and Medicare. These taxes are assessed through the Federal Insurance Contributions Act and called FICA taxes.

• 0.9: Percent tax rate that individuals pay toward the disability insurance program as a portion of the overall 7.65 percent tax rate.

 These insurance programs have benefitted taxpayers for decades, Allsup pointed out. The SSDI program, in particular, plays an important role for individuals and their families when they experience a severe disability and can no longer work. “It’s important that workers understand how these insurance programs were designed to support them when they become eligible,” Allsup said. “It’s just as evident now, as decades ago, that the financial repercussions of a disability are devastating, and Allsup is glad to play a role in helping individuals receive the benefits they’ve paid for when they can no longer work.”

 For more information about Social Security disability benefits, contact the Allsup Disability Evaluation Center at (800) 279-4357 for free information and evaluation.

 ABOUT ALLSUP

Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, Medicare and Medicare Secondary Payer compliance services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Founded in 1984, Allsup employs nearly 700 professionals who deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. The company is based in Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis.

ART: For an Allsup logo or photo, visit the Allsup multimedia library: http://www.allsup.com/About-Us/News-Room/Resources-for-Journalists/Image-Library.aspx

Contacts: 

Colleen O’Boyle

(703) 683-5004, ext. 122

coboyle@crcpublicrelations.com

or

Rebecca Ray

(800) 854-1418, ext. 5065

r.ray@allsupinc.com

Improving Access to Home and Community-Based Services – Information Bulletin # 319 (8/2010).http://www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects. To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com or call 215-627-7100.

Nearly five years ago, Congress amended Medicaid by adding Section 1915 (i), intending to increase community-based services instead of institutional Medicaid services by permitting greater flexibility than Waivers permit. Unfortunately, only a few states took advantage of this.

In enacting the Affordable Care Act in 2010, Congress made a number of additional changes which are extremely important to the disability community. However, unless your State opts to take advantage of these changes, they will not happen. These amendments take away many excuses the States have used in the past.

On August 6, 2010, CMS wrote a “Dear State Medicaid Director” encouraging States to take advantage of the ACA 2010 amendments. Here are the changes:

1. The ACA strengthened Section 1915 ( i ) to remove the requirement that

individuals had to meet an institutional level of care in order to

qualify for home and community-based services. Unlike eligibility for

Medicaid Waivers which require a person meet an institutional level of

care, the 2010 amendments permit your state to provide community-based

services for people who are not otherwise eligible for institutional

care. Heh – makes sense to provide services before a person loses more

ADLs.

2. Another big change is that the Affordable Care Act amended this

Section to permit States to provide community-based services to persons

with chronic mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders.

Services for this population are defined extremely broadly. This is

long overdue and will help a portion of the disability community that

has been shortchanged too long.

3. States now have the option to provide thee community-based services to

persons whose incomes are 300% of the SSI income benefit.

4. Benefits can be targeted either to specific population groups without

violating Medicaid’s comparability requirements. Alternatively, States

could target by functional needs. This permits States to have multiple

programs, each targeted at specific populations, e.g., one for persons

with physical needs and another benefit package targeted at persons

with chronic mental illnesses. It permits your State to define

populations’ needs with great precision and specifics.

5. Services can be narrowly defined, e.g., personal care or home health

aide, instead of the Waiver package of services. There goes a big

excuse States have used with Waivers, i.e., they had to provide a broad

range of services to everyone on the Waiver.

6. States have the option to offer consumers “self-direction.” In the

8/6/10 Dear State Medicaid Director letter, it states that “CMS urges

all States to afford participants the opportunity to direct some or all

of their HCBS. Self-direction permits participants to plan and

purchase their HCBS under their direction and control or through an

authorized representative.” Well, how about that?

These changes become effective October 1, 2010.

You and your State Medicaid officials have to begin this process now!

Let’s not let this slip away. There could be great financial savings if these provisions are used creatively.

Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues

Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at

–

Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues

August 03, 2010

 
Share Your Personal Stories and Reflections to Help
Social Security Celebrate 75 Years of Public Service

  Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that Social Security is asking members of the public, as well as current and former employees, to help the agency celebrate its 75 years of public service by sharing their personal stories and reflections about how Social Security has touched their lives. To share your story, go to www.socialsecurity.gov and click on the box that says “Social Security Celebrates 75 Years of Public Service.” Selected stories will be edited for content and brevity and posted for everyone to read.   “On August 14, the most important and successful domestic program in our nation’s history turns 75,” Commissioner Astrue said. “For three quarters of a century, Social Security has provided a financial lifeline to millions of Americans. As we approach our anniversary, Social Security remains a solid foundation for retirees, the disabled, and survivors. I encourage everyone to visit our website, share their stories, and join me in wishing Social Security a happy 75th anniversary.”   Social Security is asking people to tell how the program made a difference in their lives and the lives of their family and friends. For example:  

• How did it feel to receive your first retirement check?
• Tell us if you received survivors benefits when a loved one died.
• How has the Social Security disability program helped you?
• How did a Social Security Administration employee go above and beyond to provide you with great service?
• Current and former Social Security Administration employees: Share your memorable stories of service.

  Social Security also will soon launch a video contest “How Social Security Has Made a Difference in My Life.” Submitted videos will be posted on the agency’s YouTube channel and the winning video will be posted on www.socialsecurity.gov. Details of the contest will be posted on the website later this week.   Social Security invites the public to view a special photo gallery that takes them on a brief journey through the agency’s 75-year history. The photo gallery is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/75thanniversary. A more extensive collection of history-related materials that presents both the institutional history of the Social Security Administration and the history of the Social Security program is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/history.   

News Release  SOCIAL SECURITY

 
Share Your Personal Stories and Reflections to Help
Social Security Celebrate 75 Years of Public Service

• How did it feel to receive your first retirement check?
• Tell us if you received survivors benefits when a loved one died.
• How has the Social Security disability program helped you?
• How did a Social Security Administration employee go above and beyond to provide you with great service?
• Current and former Social Security Administration employees: Share your memorable stories of service.

News Release

Statement from Secretary Sebelius on Proposed CMS Rule to Expand Medicare Preventive Services and Expand Access to Primary Care

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) took another important step to help improve the health status of Medicare beneficiaries.  The proposed regulation will implement the new preventive health benefits created under the Affordable Care Act for the seniors and persons with disabilities who rely on Medicare for their health care coverage.

The new rule proposes to make two significant improvements to preventive care benefits under Medicare:  Beginning January 1, 2011, Medicare will cover annual wellness visits so that doctors and patients can develop a personalized prevention plan that takes a comprehensive approach to improving the patient’s health.  Also beginning January 1, 2011, Medicare beneficiaries will no longer have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for most preventive services – including that annual wellness visit.

To help make sure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to primary care doctors, the rule would also boost payments for primary care services.  The proposed regulation would also increase access to services by creating payment incentives for general surgeons as well as expand access to other types of health care providers.

Improving access to preventive services and primary care is a top priority for HHS.  The proposed rule is just one part of a broader effort we are making to improve the health status of Medicare beneficiaries – and all Americans.  We recently announced the allocation of $500 million from the Prevention and Public Health Fund – created by the Affordable Care Act – to invest in the training and development of primary care professionals as well as preventive care activities and public health infrastructure.

With these new benefits under Medicare, and investments in our health care system, the Affordable Care Act is continuing the Obama Administration’s historic work to promote wellness and reduce chronic disease.

###

Allsup Outlines Quick-Processing Methods for Social Security Disability Claims

Key initiatives expedite disability claims process, reaffirm need for qualified SSDI representation

Belleville, Ill. – April 29, 2010 – Combating the backlog of nearly 700,000 claims now waiting for a hearing before the Social Security Administration (SSA), the federal agency has launched a number of initiatives to expedite Social Security Disability Insurance benefits to thousands of individuals, according to Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security disability representation and Medicare plan selection services.

“Several initiatives are designed to help those people whose medical conditions clearly meet Social Security’s standards to receive their SSDI benefits more quickly,” said Mike Stein, assistant vice president of claims. “When combined with expert SSDI representation such as Allsup, applicants deemed eligible can find their claims accelerated through the process to receive much-needed financial assistance more quickly.”

Several initiatives can be traced back to 2007, when SSA Commissioner Michael J. Astrue introduced the SSA’s plan to eliminate the backlog of hearing requests by 2013 and prevent its recurrence. Fast-track programs include Quick Disability Determination (QDD), Compassionate Allowances and terminal illness (TERI) cases.

“Allsup professionals work hard to identify and fast-track the most vulnerable claimants, helping them to benefit from these SSA initiatives,” Mr. Stein said. “While a narrow segment of SSDI applicants qualify, the impact for individuals and their families cannot be understated.”

Below Allsup outlines several SSA fast-track initiatives that streamline review of SSDI applications.

Quick Disability Determinations

The Quick Disability Determination (QDD) process is designed to analyze data in an SSDI claimant’s file in order to identify those cases that can be fast-tracked for approval of benefits. The SSA announced plans to extend the Quick Disability Determination (QDD) process to all state Disability Determination Services (DDS) nationwide in 2007.

In QDD cases, the SSA relies on a predictive model to electronically determine claims where there is a “high potential that the claimant is disabled and where evidence of the person’s allegations can be quickly and easily obtained.”¹ This model relies on scoring criteria to identify cases that qualify for consideration.

“The SSA’s goal with QDD is to find those cases that clearly qualify for benefits and process them through to a favorable decision within 20 days of receipt at the state DDS office,” Mr. Stein said. The SSA has reported that about 3 percent of all applications waiting for an initial decision are targeted for QDD processing.² Typical cases flagged for QDD processing include those involving end-stage renal disease and some forms of cancer.

Successful processing under this model can occur only if a designated QDD examiner can confirm that available medical evidence in the claimant’s case file is sufficient to determine chronic physical or mental disability as of the alleged onset date. In addition, QDD decisions are based exclusively on available medical and non-medical evidence in the case file. 

Compassionate Allowances

The Compassionate Allowances initiative speeds SSDI applications for individuals whose disabilities are so severe that they clearly meet established medical criteria. The original initiative was introduced in October 2008 and targeted 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers. The list recently was expanded to include 38 more conditions. These conditions range from adult brain disorders to rare diseases that predominantly affect children.

Unlike QDD, which employs scoring criteria to rank the severity of the disability, Compassionate Allowances affords qualifying claimants expedited review of disability applications based on confirmation of a qualifying diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is confirmed based on minimal objective medical information, the claim is approved in a matter of days—instead of months or even years.³

Terminal Illness (TERI) Cases

The requirements for disability benefits for a person with a terminal illness are the same as the requirements for a person with a non-terminal illness—but the processing time is faster. Cases deemed “TERI” merit special handling, with carefully prescribed protocols for appointment setting, labeling and flagging of TERI cases, tracking and continuous monitoring of timing to ensure processing without delay.

Applicants with an untreatable impairment must present a credible claim (from the individual, friend, family member, doctor or other medical source). Qualifying claims may include diagnosis, such as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) or AIDS, or a statement that the claimant is receiving in-patient hospice care. Additional qualifying conditions include a bone marrow transplant, any malignant cancer that is metastatic (stage IV), and small cell or oat cell lung cancer, among others.⁴

Military Service Casualty Cases:  Wounded Warriors Program

If a military service member is seriously injured or disabled while on active duty on or after Oct. 1, 2001, the SSA expedites the processing of disability claims regardless of where their disability occurred. To qualify for disability benefits, service members must be unable to do substantial work because of their medical condition, and the medical condition(s) must have lasted or is anticipated to last at least one year, or expected to result in death. To assist in case evaluation, service members frequently undergo a qualifying medical exam or medical test.

SSA and DDS staffs are instructed to process these claims as TERI cases. As with terminal illness cases, special protocols apply; cases are flagged for special processing, and rigorous mailing protocols followed to ensure expeditious review. In addition, field office staff pays careful attention to identifying the permanent address of the claimant, since military service members may be in transit and addresses may not match the address specified on the initial application.⁵

Presumptive Disability and Blindness Cases

Presumptive disability is granted when a claimant is applying for the first time based on disability or blindness. Presumptive disability cases must meet all non-medical factors of eligibility, and the severity of the condition must be sufficiently acute to merit a high likelihood of determination of disability. This program permits qualifying claimants to begin receiving payments before a final decision is made on their application.⁶ This program dates back to the 1970s.

Qualifying presumptive disability impairments include amputation of two limbs; amputation of a leg at the hip; allegations of total blindness; allegation of total deafness; allegation of a cerebral vascular accident (stroke) more than three months in the past and continued difficulty using hands, arms or walking. Additional qualifying impairments range from allegation of muscular dystrophy, muscular atrophy, and cerebral palsy, among others. Presumptive disability payments begin during the month the claimant becomes disabled or blind, and continue for up to six months while the claim is awaiting a final decision (assuming the claimant is found to be disabled and meets all other eligibility criteria).

According to the SSA, more than 3.3 million applications are anticipated in FY 2010, which is about 700,000 more than in FY 2008, adding to the workload for disability examiners nationwide.

This surge of disability claims highlights the importance of expert SSDI representation, especially for those individuals whose disabilities clearly qualify them for one of these fast-track programs, according to Mr. Stein.

“Allsup experts carefully monitor these programs and quickly identify those individuals who are likely to qualify through a fast-track initiative,” Mr. Stein said. “The benefits are significant for those who qualify, so it’s important to ensure you have someone on your side providing you with guidance should your claim fall under one of these programs.”

For more information, contact the Disability Evaluation Center at (800) 279-4357 or visit www.Allsup.com.

ABOUT ALLSUP

Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, Medicare and workers’ compensation services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Founded in 1984, Allsup employs more than 600 professionals who deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. The company is based in Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis.  

1 – “Commissioner Astrue Extends Social Security’s Quick Disability Determination Nationwide,” Sept. 5, 2007.

2 – Program Operations Manual Systems (POMS), Quick Disability Determination (QDD)

3 – “Social Security Adds 38 New Compassionate Allowance Conditions,” Feb. 11, 2010

4 – POMS, Identifying Terminal Illness (TERI) Cases

5 – POMS, Emergency and Expedited Procedures Related to Military Service Casualty Cases

6 – Social Security Handbook, Presumptive Blindness or Presumptive Disability Payments

ART: For an Allsup logo or photo, visit the Allsup multimedia library: http://www.allsup.com/About-Us/News-Room/Resources-for-Journalists/Image-Library.aspx

Contacts: 

Rebecca Ray

(800) 854-1418, ext. 5065

r.ray@allsupinc.com