The Predictive Model (PM) is a computer-based screening tool used to identify potential electronic cases for the Quick Disability Determination (QDD) process.

The QDD process is aimed at paying individuals, filing for initial disability benefits:

who have medical conditions that reflect a high probability of being disabled (under SSA disability guidelines); and
where the evidence of their medical conditions/allegations are easily & quickly verifiable.

The QDD process was implemented in the six States in the Boston Region (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, & Vermont) effective August 2006. The QDD process is being implemented nationally between October 2007 and March 2008.

View the final rule in the Federal Register.

Partnering for Early Identification and Intervention in Los Angeles County – Phase II

Partnering for Early Identification and Intervention in Los Angeles County – Phase II is a one-year task order awarded to George Washington University. The project will provide specific information which will assist in identifying and planning research and demonstration projects for early identification and intervention for infants and children with disabilities, developmental delays, and mental health and behavioral problems. The contact is working with the Los Angeles County Early Identification and Intervention Group to identify the optimal process to identify multiple locations to pilot an early identification and intervention project for children from birth to age eight. A detailed manual of best practices will be written describing how to plan and implement an early identification and intervention pilot/demonstration project. Brochures will also be written to be used by communities to plan and implement and early identification and intervention project.

Interim Medical Benefits

This project will provide medical benefits to individuals with no medical insurance (no "treating source" evidence) whose medical conditional would likely improve with treatment. This intervention will facilitate the development of the necessary documentation for disability adjudication while providing the applicant needed services. This project is still in the planning stages.

Consultative Exam (CE) Baseline Study

A Consultative Examination (CE) is a physical or mental examination performed by a treating source or another medical source including pediatrician, when additional information is needed (e.g., clinical findings, laboratory tests, diagnosis, and prognosis) to make a disability determination. The CE Baseline study will analyze and document the quality of current consultative exams (CEs) used in the determination of disability; assess if CEs are being requested in compliance with SSA regulations; determine the methodology of a functional data collection system; establish a baseline for CE quality; and determine those initiatives that will improve the quality of future CEs. We received an interim report in December 2006, and the final report is expected February 29, 2008.

Vocational Expert Study Panel

On January 11, 2006, SSA awarded a contract to SSDC Corporation to convene an expert panel of vocational and occupational medical experts and disability policy and program experts to study SSA’s use of vocational and occupational medical expertise throughout the disability determination process, what changes can be made to improve case adjudication, and what qualifications we should require.

SSA selected 21 vocational and occupational medical experts to serve on this panel including individuals with expertise in occupational medicine, psychiatry, psychology, social work, rehabilitation, occupational and physical therapy, nursing, case management, individuals with disabilities, and the disability community. In addition, SSA included disability determination services administrators and administrative law judges. After several discussions and the reviews of distributed background materials, this expert panel met in July 2006 to prepare a report including recommendations for the Commissioner.

We received the Final Core Report from SSDC, "Use of Functional/Vocational Expertise", on March 27, 2007.


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