Social Security to Test Use of Microsoft’s HealthVault in Disability Process

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced today that the agency has entered into an agreement with Microsoft to test the use of Microsoft’s HealthVault application in the disability process. HealthVault is a free online service that enables people to gather, store and manage their families’ health information, and share that information with their physicians and healthcare providers. These “personal health records” contain the same types of information that Social Security generally obtains from people applying for disability benefits.

“The use of personal health records holds great promise for ensuring that the medical information we collect from someone applying for disability benefits is accurate and complete,” Commissioner Astrue said. “Combined with other advancements in health information technology, our use of HealthVault should result in faster decisions for disability applicants. I look forward to working closely with Microsoft, a world-wide leader in information technology.”

Social Security and Microsoft are developing a technical prototype connecting the two organizations that will be available later this year. The agency also will collaborate with Microsoft to study current personal health record standards, gaps in those standards, and options for filling those gaps.

Social Security is a recognized leader in the use of health information technology. It is the first government agency to use the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN), a safe and secure method for receiving instantaneous access to electronic medical records. The NHIN is an initiative of the Department of Health and Human Services and is supported by multiple government agencies and private sector entities.

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People With Disabilities Lose Advocate - Ted Kennedy

During his tenure in the Senate (46 years), Sen. Ted Kennedy was crucial in establishing and supporting key legislation that benefit people with disabilities. Here are a few:

• In 1978, Kennedy co-sponsored Civil Rights Commission Act Amendments, which expanded the jurisdiction of the Civil Rights Commission to protect people from discrimination on the basis of disability.

• Kennedy introduced the Americans With Disabilities Act in 1990. The bill was designed to prohibit employers from discriminating in job hiring and in the workplace against people who had a disability.

• His vote helped break a Republican filibuster against a bill that blocked cuts in Medicare payments to doctors.

• Supported a bill that required pharmaceutical companies to negotiate prescription drug prices covered under Medicare Part D.

• Voted for expanding the enrollment period for Medicare.

• Kennedy called for extending Medicare coverage to all Americans, medical coverage for the uninsured and modernizing health care systems by using new technologies to cut costs.
  

• Sponsored the Family Opportunity Act of 2006, allowing states to expand Medicaid coverage to children with special needs.

• Sponsored the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in 1996.

• In 1997, he rallied for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under which uninsured children from low-income families could get insurance.

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Health Care Reform Will Not Weaken Medicare

Last week at a Florida health care forum, Alliance President Barbara Easterling outlined how health care reform will strengthen Medicare. It will:

• Close the “donut hole” in Medicare Part D, the one that guarantees insurance companies keep getting their monthly premiums even when they aren’t giving you any benefits.

• Allow Medicare to negotiate for volume discounts with the drug companies.
  

• End wasteful taxpayer subsidies to the private insurance companies who run Medicare Advantage plans.

• Keep you healthier by eliminating the co-pay for Medicare preventive services such as checkups and cancer screenings.

• Offer an opportunity for early retirees to buy into Medicare

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No Cola Increase For 2 Years

Social Security Disability Insurance checks have been increasing each year since 1975. The amount of increase, or Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA), is linked to inflation.

Inflation is actually down this year due in large part to the lower cost of energy compared to 2008.

By law, Social Security benefits (both retirement and disability) can't go down.

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SSA to Improve Efficiency through Electronic Medical Record Database

On August 7, 2009, Commissioner Astrue announced the availability of $24 million in contracts to provide the agency with electronic medical records to improve the efficiency of its disability programs. Through a Request for Proposals available on www.fedbizopps.gov, Social Security is looking for health care providers, provider networks, and health information exchanges to participate in its Medical Evidence Gathering and Analysis through Health Information Technology (IT) program.

Any questions may be directed to: rsi5@srt.com

WIPA Passes House

Authorizing appropriation through 2010 is a good sign. This does not mean that WIPA/PABSS services are guaranteed funding for 2010....but it is the first step towards that.

Any questions may be directed to: rsi5@srt.com