Developments on Social Security Disability Eligibility and Budget Plans

There’s been a lot of talk about Social Security as predictions and budget plans come out. For one, Social Security Administration Chief Actuary Stephen Goss claimed that the program will be able to provide full benefits to eligible recipients in the next 17 years. That’s five years longer than the fund’s solvency last year.

The increase is linked to a drop in Disability Insurance (DI) applications, which occurred after a growth caused by the economic downturn in 2008. There was a peak in applications in 2010, when the number reached 2 million compared to the 1.5 million recorded in 2007. However, the number of people applying for Disability Insurance has been declining since 2013 and the current rate is lower than the number recorded in 2007. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2wkPYiv

New Social Security Disability Eligibility Policy Makes Application Harder

Filing for social security disability is already tough in itself. With the new policies implemented by the Social Security agency recently, it’s only bound to get tougher, especially for those seeking approval for their disabilities insurance applications.

The New Policy

Just this spring, the agency announced that they will now be implementing additional safeguards to the eligibility process, specifically for the purpose of fighting fraud, as well as streamlining the application process. Among the more controversial facets of this new policy is the removal of the special consideration usually given to a patient’s long-time doctor.

The consideration came in the form of acknowledging and giving merit to the long-term relationship between patient and doctor. Under the new policy, however, the history of the patient-doctor relationship is practically dismissed and merely put in the same category or level as to that of, say, a one-time medical consultant for the patient. In order for the doctor’s history with the patient to be recognized, therefore, they now bear the burden of giving proof that their findings and opinions on the diagnosis of the patient do matter, and should, in fact, be the primary reference instead of the third-party doctor that will be provided. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2vlJAXt

Social Security Disability Eligibility Faces Investigation Due to A Slew of Fraud Cases

Recently, the Social Security Administration has reportedly taken some steps to both identify and assess various fraud risks when it comes to its disability programs. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the administration had managed to gather information on fraud risks during the past year, but the method had not been systematic. Moreover, the significance, likelihood and impact of all the risks identified was also not assessed. With this, hospitals and healthcare providers need to anticipate possible changes in eligibility requirements.

Fraud in Disability Has Been Going On for Some Time

During the fiscal year 2015, the payments from both Social Security Income and Disability Insurance programs amounted to approximately $200 billion. Currently, the extent of fraud across both programs are unknown.

However, several high-profile cases have made it clear that a number of individuals have managed to obtain millions of dollars in benefits fraudulently. In fact, more than 70 individuals had pled guilty to participating in a social security disability eligibility conspiracy to obtain at least $14 million in fraudulent benefits back in 2014. This is exactly why the GAO was asked to review the Social Security Administration’s fraud risk management.

Read more from this article: http://bit.ly/2rOra04

Social Security Disability Eligibility Cuts Treating-Physician Rule, Keeps Appeal Waiting Times Long

The Social Security Disability program benefits millions of Americans, no matter how old or young they are. However, a new rule imposed by Social Security recently may make it harder for any patient of any age to be approved for social security disability eligibility. This is because the administration has recently introduced a new rule where doctors’ reports would no longer be used to determine an individual’s eligibility to receive benefits.

Rule changes such as this present additional challenges to hospitals and healthcare institutions trying to determine if their patients qualify for disability benefits.

Social Security Administration Announces an Update to Its “Treating-Physician Rule”

The Social Security Administration has just said that it will now eliminate the use of what is known as the “treating-physician rule” as a basis of disability eligibility. The said rule refers to Social Security’s previous practice of giving a doctor’s report significant weight in supporting a person’s disability entitlement. Previously, Social Security adjudicators are required to consider evidence of disability as presented by the medical professional treating the claimant.

Read more on this article: http://bit.ly/2pBXDI7

Current Status and Possible Changes: Important Notes on Social Security Disability Eligibility

Hospitals should assist individuals who work hard to earn a living but get disabled to process their claims for Social Security Disability benefits. As part of the mission of the Social Security Administration (SSA), disabled members, despite their current health condition, still have the chance to receive benefits so they can provide for their family’s needs.

For more than 60 years, the SSA has implemented the Disability Insurance Program to dole out cash benefits for members in need of assistance. Hospitals and healthcare facilities also play a crucial role in this process. By providing accurate medical data on each patient, they bridge the gap between the SSA and members who seek benefits.

How Helpful Has the Program Been?

Of the more than 65 million members that are under Social Security in 2015, more than 10.2 million people have reaped disability benefits. By the end of the year, the total amount that was paid out to disabled workers and their beneficiaries have reached more than $11.4 billion. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2mB3Or9

How Social Security Disability Eligibility May be Affected by Changes to Medicare

One of the benefits of Medicare comes from part D, which provides drug prescription coverage to those enrolled. However, in 2017 the number of different plans available is likely to drop to its lowest level since 2006. Those enrolled in Medicare will have around 22 prescription drug plans to choose from, the problem being that these plans vary widely in terms of specific drugs they cover. This means that those who need specific medication may find it difficult to tailor their Medicare package to suit their needs.

Because it has larger budgetary impact at a federal level, the government is looking to revise Medicare too. These potential revisions include trying to move patients toward insurer provided Medicare Advantage plans rather than the traditional Medicare program, as well as introducing a voucher system cap, which would shift the financial burden of rising healthcare costs onto participants.

How it will Affect Social Security Disability

Since many people who are eligible for Social Security Disability benefits are also enrolled with Medicare, they could find themselves unable to get the prescription drugs they need. While the benefits from Medicare don’t kick in until 24 months after you have met the Social Security Disability eligibility criteria, it’s still something that could have a large impact on the number of non-payment patients in your hospital. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2mqTmmE

Developments in Disability Social Security Applications for Veterans

As hospitals know only too well, patients with disabilities are some of the toughest cases to handle. Aside from requiring specialized treatments, they also require more frequent visits to monitor progress. Oftentimes, it is veterans who suffer from the most serious disabilities as a result of protecting the country.


Not surprisingly, disability is one of the most expensive medical cases to treat—and has a high probability of becoming potential bad debt. After all, with all the medications and doctor visits required, a disabled veteran will find treatment a great financial burden.

Luckily, such patients can get social security disability benefits to help subsidize the cost of medical care. And recently, The Sequoia Project and the Department of Veterans affairs announced a health IT initiative to make it easier for them to qualify for such benefits. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2imsLUP

Care Providers’ Roles in Benefits Application

Medical professionals have made it their mission to treat their patients and offer them the highest level of quality health care possible. But apart from providing treatments and imparting sound medical advice, doctors and medical staff also play a vital role when it comes to their patients who are applying for government benefits. 

Applying for Benefits for Disabled Patients

If you have patients that are disabled or have become disabled, they may apply for social security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) accepts applications filed by individuals or through hospitals, healthcare providers, and insurance providers.

Strategies for Better Assisting Patients

Hospitals stay in business because of patients, whether they have an illness or critical injury. To have any success in this industry, you need to focus on satisfying the patient any way possible. 

When Language Becomes a Barrier

It’s no secret that unpaid medical bills remain a huge headache for hospitals--enough to even force some of them to shut down. And one of the areas where this is exacerbated is when dealing with patients with disabilities. Unlike people with a broken bone or the flu, a disabled person will require much more doctor visits and tests to ensure their recovery.

Facts to Remember Before Applying for SSI Benefits

Families who are struggling to financially support a child suffering from disability can submit an application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to the Social Security Administration to ease the monetary burden. Before applying for these benefits, however, parents are encouraged to review these facts.

The Administration employs strict standards in determining who falls into the definition of “disabled”. Aside from a debilitating physical or mental condition, the condition must be projected to last at least a year or result in eventual death. Other examinations may be requested as necessary, which will be paid for by Social Security.

Children aged up to 18 years old can qualify for SSI disability benefits if they meet the aforementioned conditions for disability and little to no income or resources. The family’s household income, resources, and other particulars are also taken into account.

Parents should take note that it can take up to 5 months for Social Security to decide on an application. An official letter will be sent once approval has been granted.

Applicants should keep in mind that while benefits are available, SSI is not meant to be a medical assistance program that supersedes state Medicaid agencies, local health departments, or hospitals. Families are encouraged to approach these organizations or the nearest health agencies first before considering undergoing the lengthy and rigorous process of security SSI disability benefits.

Disability Social Security: An Introduction

The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages a program called disability insurance or disability social security which insures a worker in case of a mishap. Enforced using the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), the SSA collects regular contributions from employees, with these collections forming part of their Social Security fund. This federal legislation makes it possible for employees to receive income insurance for at least one year when they become disabled.

The process of applying for disability social security involves passing stringent tests that the SSA sets to ensure that only those who really qualify and need it can benefit from this form of assistance. First, applicants must meet the government agency’s definition of being “disabled”. Then, they must prove that their current medical condition impairs them from continuing to do their work or from taking other types of occupation.

After careful review of applications for disability social security and other supporting documents, SSA can decide to grant or reject a worker’s application for the said income insurance. If approved, beneficiaries need to wait for their first payment six months after the decision has been made. If the application has been rejected, applicants can file an appeal with the SSA to overturn the decision. Employees have to prove that they are qualified for the benefit and meet the specific requirements of the compensation program.