The Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced the creation of a new fraud prevention unit in New York City, New York earlier this week. The purpose of the new unit is to identify potential fraud and detect fraud trends that can be applied to disability cases nationwide.
The unit is staffed with 20 disability examiners. Previously these examiners reviewed medical decisions already made by other examiners to confirm the correct determination was made. These examiners had also previously discovered disability fraud in claims filed in Puerto Rico and New York City. These led to several indictments.
The unit is also tasked with trying to build a data analytics system that will be used nationwide. This system will attempt to detect and prevent fraud in the disability decision-making process.
According to the March 31, 2014 press release, the current rate of fraud found in SSA disability claims is a fraction of one percent.
For more information about the new program and to view the entire press release go to the SSA’s website: “Social Security Announces New Fraud Prevention Unit In New York — Specialized Unit Will Identify Trends to Prevent Fraud Nationwide.”
