On April 30, 2012 the Social Security Administration (SSA) issued a press release titled: “Social Security and Department of Defense Implement New Process to Improve Efficiency for Wounded Warriors Applying for Disability Benefits.” The press release focuses on the SSA’s new project that allows medical records for veterans to be accessed electronically.
The electronic processing of record requests has reduced the wait time for the delivery of records from the Department of Defense (DoD) allowing medical decisions on the SSA disability claims to be issued faster. This project has also helped to reduce costs for both the SSA and DoD.
Since the introduction of the program, the medical records requests are processed within 72 hours from a centralized DoD location. Before the program began these original requests took an average of five weeks because each individualized military treatment center would be required to mail paper records to the SSA.
According to the press release, this project has also led to a reduction in the number of consultative examinations required for veterans.
This program, which was initially introduced in only five states, has now begun expansion nationwide. To read more about this initiative view the full press release.
