In May 2012, Judge John Allen was appointed Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration (SSA). In that capacity, Judge Allen supports and shares oversight responsibility with the Chief Administrative Law Judge for SSA’s national hearing operation. Judge Allen was appointed Administrative Law Judge in April 2008 and initially assigned to the Columbus, Ohio hearing office. Thereafter, … Read More
NADE Position Paper on the IOM Interim Report
THE NADE VIEW INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE’S INTERIM REPORT IMPROVING THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY DECISION PROCESS After carefully reviewing the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Interim Report on Improving the Social Security Disability Decision Process, the National Association of Disability Examiners (NADE) offers the following comments on the committee’s early recommendations in this report. NADE is a professional association whose purpose is … Read More
NADE’s response to the Disability Process Improvement Initiative
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROGRAM NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING THE NADE VIEW After carefully reviewing the NPRM 20 CFR, Parts 404, 405, 416, and 422, NADE (National Association of Disability Examiners) is pleased to provide comments on the proposal to improve the accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of decision making throughout the disability determination process. NADE is a … Read More
Recommending Elimination of the 24 Month Medicare Waiting Period
Elimination of the Twenty-Four Month Medicare Waiting Period for Social Security Disability Beneficiaries Most Social Security disability beneficiaries have serious health problems, low incomes and limited access to health insurance. Many cannot afford private health insurance due to the high cost secondary to their pre-existing health conditions. Members of the National Association of Disability Examiners (NADE) are deeply concerned about … Read More
Recommending Elimination of the Five Month Waiting Period
The National Association of Disability Examiners (NADE) is deeply concerned about the hardship the five-month waiting period creates for disabled individuals, and their families, at one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives. NADE believes that requiring some individuals to serve a waiting period before becoming eligible to receive disability cash benefits while not requiring others to serve the … Read More
CDI Position Paper
Expansion of the Cooperative Disability Investigation Units Members of the National Association of Disability Examiners (NADE) strongly support expansion of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) Cooperative Disability Investigation (CDI) Units. While the vast majority of claimants for Social Security and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits are not out to defraud the program, every … Read More
DDS Medical Consultant Position Paper
DDS MEDICAL CONSULTANT POSITION PAPER Throughout the nearly 50 year history of the Social Security Administration’s disability programs, the medical consultants in the state Disability Determination Service (DDS) agencies have played a crucial role in the development and adjudication of claims. The 1954 amendments to the Social Security Act specified that disability determinations would be made by state agencies under … Read More
In-line Quality Review Process At The Disability Determination Services: The NADE View
IN-LINE QUALITY REVIEW PROCESS AT THE DISABILITY DETERMINATION SERVICES: THE NADE VIEW Over the course of the almost 50 year history of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Disability Insurance Program, the SSA Quality Assurance (QA) process has focused almost exclusively on the quality of the product produced by the Disability Determination Services (DDS). In recent years, a minimal number of … Read More
A New Approach to SSA Disability Determinations – The NADE View
A New Approach to SSA Disability Determinations – The NADE View After carefully reviewing the current status quo of the Social Security disability claims process and the future challenges facing the program, the National Association of Disability Examiners (NADE) fully supports and agrees with the testimony presented by the Commissioner of Social Security before the House Committee on Ways and … Read More
NADE Board Approves Disability Examiner Position Paper
DISABILITY EXAMINER POSITION PAPER Throughout the almost 50 year history of the Social Security Administration’s Disability Insurance Program, the disability claims adjudication process has been a Federal-State venture, with the State Agency (Disability Determination Services) disability examiner * making the initial medical-legal-vocational determination, following complex and frequently changing Federal rules and regulations. The Social Security Administration’s disability programs are unique … Read More