Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

January/February 2001

Professional Education Kit Developed to Aid PRO/MROs
by Leola Meyer, Medical Relations Supervisor

During a breakout session at the NADE National Conference in Puerto Rico, Dena Crank, Chief of the Professional Relations Branch (PRB) in SSA’s Office of Disability (OD), addressed a group of approximately 50 DDS Professional/Medical Relations Officers (PROs/MROs).

Mrs. Crank began by stating that PRB’s role is to support the PROs/MROs in their ongoing efforts to educate and inform the medical, health care, and other professional communities about Social Security disability programs. PRB provides the tools and materials that the PROs need to accomplish this important and ongoing task.

She acknowledged the National Publications Development Workgroup (NPDW) for their work in developing disability program publications and body system modules for the Professional Education Kit. This Kit is used by the PROs in giving presentations to health professionals. The NPDW also developed a video script, accompanying workbook and a short test that treating, family practice, and internal medicine physicians can use to learn about Social Security disability programs. Hopefully, this will help to improve the quality and timeliness of medical evidence (MER) the DDSs receive. The video/workbook project is a collaborative effort among OD, the Illinois DDS and the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians. The plan is to give continuing medical education (CME) credits to physicians who view the video and complete the workbook and a short test. Marty Marshall, PRO (Michigan) and Leola Meyer, PRO (Mississippi), two members of the FY 2000 NPDW who attended the NADE National Conference were recognized by Mrs. Crank for their excellent work on this project.

Mrs. Crank presented an overview of PRB initiatives accomplished in FY 2000 and those planned for this fiscal year. Upcoming activities include: hosting the National Professional Relations (PR) Conference in the summer of FY 2001—PROs are encouraged to attend; improving the professional relations website—input from PROs is welcome; exhibiting at 19 national conventions in FY 2001 and presenting disability seminars at six of them—PRB thanks the PROs for helping to staff OD’s exhibits in FY 2000 and publishing future editions of the Professional Relations Bulletin—PROs are encouraged to submit articles for future editions.

Dena also mentioned some OD workgroups that DDS PROs will be asked to serve on in FY 2001. One workgroup will help to develop procedures for implementing the final HHS rules on the privacy and security of electronic medical information (HIPAA) and materials for use in informing the public/professional community about the new rules. Another workgroup will develop job specifications for and establish procedures to pilot a specialized professional/medical relations position, dedicated to MER collection in DDSs. The 2001 NPDW will also convene in Baltimore to develop and revise disability publications. She encouraged the PROs to volunteer if they are interested in serving on a workgroup.

Mrs. Crank introduced Anne Graham to the attendees. Anne, who is a longtime NADE member, was recently promoted to Disability Training Team Leader in OD’s Division of Disability Process Policy. Her team members, Clarence Davis and Darleen DiGirolamo, are members of PRB. Anne will continue to chair the Disability Training Steering Committee and have lead responsibility for all disability training initiatives in cooperation with the Office of Training.

This breakout session was very informative and well received by all in attendance. NADE would also like to thank Dena Crank for her participation at the NADE National Conference in Puerto Rico! We hope to see her in Austin next year!