Washington DC, USA-- People with certain cancers and other severe conditions will have their disability claims fat-tracked under a new Social Security program, which may result in disability decisions in a matter of days, not months. Michael J. Astrue, head of the Social Security Administration says new Compassionate Allowances initiative will apply to 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers. Disorders and diseases include inoperable forms of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, bladder, kidney, and bone cancers, acute leukemia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Creutzfeldt-Jakob and Gaucher diseases, and Rett Syndrome. The new process uses rapid action computer scanning for key terms, resulting in 95% claim acceptance. The president of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), Peter Saltonstall, says the new allowances are "an outstanding achievement" for people with certain rare diseases.
SOURCES:
Social Security speeds disability claims review
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iehbar0cfRyF-t4ZjGfDc0BZglAgD942RP9G0
New Compassionate Allowances for Social Security Disability Represent 'Outstanding Achievement,' NORD Says
RELATED:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Social Security’s List of Compassionate Allowances:
40 comments:
I think this is a great thing they are doing. Thanks to technology, now it can be faster and almost everyone qualifies. People need help with these rare disorders and I think this is a really great opportunity to help them out.
I think this is a great thing they are doing. Thanks to technology, now it can be faster and almost everyone qualifies. People need help with these rare disorders and I think this is a really great opportunity to help them out.
oops, forgot my name...
Alma D.
I think this disability claims process that will be implemented by the Social Security Administration is going to alleviate some of the financial pressures that can and mostly are associated when illnesses occur in a household. Most of the times it is the same financial burden that keeps the ailing member from seeking the best medical treatment so the rest of the household members do not struggle economically. I think this is going to be great, not only for the RGV, but the entire nation as we are already facing hard economic times.
Norfy G.
It is a good thing that the Social Security Administration has implemented this Compassion Allowance for the diseases and cancers listed. Under the past ways that the disability claims were processed, time was the enemy for the people claiming disability. Many of these individuals would start the process and never see the end results, many of them would die.
This allowance will hopefully allow these individuals focus on what is important: spending time with family, trying to focus on their health and well being. Instead of worrying about the financial burden that they are forced to face.
I am aware that the disability money is not a lot but every bit of help counts.
Dr. Hannsman's lecture yesterday was all about the process on claiming for disability, and it really is a long process. I am also sure that the DE's are also glad about this allowance. They know that they will be able to allow for funds to be distributed out to people who really need them and not have all the time in the world to wait for the claim to be processed.
This is a step into the right direction to continue helping individuals with disabilities, I hope congress continues on this same path.
MarilynC
When a person gets diagnosed with a serious illness the very last thing that they should be worrying about is how am I going to pay for this or sometimes even worse the question goes into their mind is how my family to pay for this financially and emotionally. If people do not have the financial support to get appropriate care for the illness they have been diagnosed they may just go with out seeing a doctor or getting appropriate medical care. With this Compassionate Allowances initiative it will at least alleviate some of the stresses of the finances from the medical bills that can quickly add up, and allow the person to get the medical and financial needs met.
Cameron L.
It's great to here that the SSA is doing something about these cancers and rare diseases listed. It's a great progress and hopefully with this and with technology getting better and better we can then read something that says they found the cure to cancer or rare diseases listed & not listed.
Rosario G.
It is an awesome thing that now individuals with certain disabilities claims will now be given faster. This needed to be done because individuals have to wait too long to receive treatment because of the lack of financial resources. It is amazing what technology can do.
Mariam G.
This is a great thing for those who need the benefits quickly. I believe that this is something that should have started long ago. There are some conditions that are so severe that the individuals are not able to work so then it becomes hard for them to provide for themselves or family. Even worse the individual is usually not left with much means to pay for treatment for themselves so before this Compassionate Allowances they were left waiting a response. I am amazed that a claim can be taken care of in as little as two day and the approval percentage is very high at 95%. Technology is a big help in this process and without it I do not believe that the claims would be processed at such a quick rate. With this said, if anything should happen to me or any family members I now know what options are available.
James D.
I agree with James this should have been done a long time ago.
Mariam G.
This is a great development. Poeple who develop certain cancers and other severe conditions need very fast help. They do not need to spend a great deal of the short life they have left worrying about how they are going to pay for their bills when they cannot work any more.
USe of computers to fast track these conditions is a great development. One wonders why computers are used rather than improved human detection. The Social Security administration should be teaching their personnel to catch these conditions quickly, from the first step of intake to assignment of cases to fast track investigation. They should place these cases on a short deadline, requiring an answer within a week, or some other quick deadline. Maybe they do.
Dr. Hansmann spoke to us about "presumptive" disabilities. Thse should fallito that category. When these conditions are mentioned, the application should be set on the presumptive track.
IT is possible that a con artist can mention one of these conditions as a way of getting a fast buck. Perhaps the case shold not be paid until there is mimimum documentation from a doctor.
This is a great new development. Once the Social Security administration gets used to moving faster, maybe they can apply their new skills to helping applicants who may not have a condition on this list, but who need help just the same
DavidW 9th
I think that so many people are going to benefit from this new technology. Many nore people will get the help they need and deserve. The only problem i think that may be encountered are people who try to get benefits they dont need.
Noelia B
This is a very big accomplishment that will relieve some pressure from both the people who suffer these illnesses and their families. I have heard so many stories of people waiting many many months to know if they are accepted and then sometimes have to face the fact that they are rejected. I have a family member who had to wait for notice of her disability claim and although in her case it wasn't a long wait I saw how difficult it was to be kind of like on standby. She couldn't work because of her illness and she didn't have any income for her bills either. I saw that this process was difficult and very stressful so I am glad that there will be a way to minimize the decision time so that way these people can focus on getting better rather than if they will be rejected or not.
Diana m.b.
I think that now that medical procedures are being accelerated there is a greater chance that people with rare disabilities will feel more comfortable to go into testing, mainly because now they won't have to wait for long periods of time.
Diana Bernal
In my opinion i believe is great that SSA is doing something to help people with other rare disorder;and that thanks to technology things can be done faster and are covered.Rocio D.
For those of us that have been involved with agencies and clients for a long time, any action that will reduce the time between contact by the client with the agency and service provision is a great thing. The rules and paper work requirements are at times so onerus that agency staff and the clients are mutually frustrated in the approval of services. David mentions the possibility of con artists or persons who are willing to commit fruad using the key terms. He has a good point as there are many individuals who do not believe that stealing service provisions and funds from the government is wrong. I deal with this situation on a daily basis as we attempt to provide service and yet have to spend hours of staff time in the prevention of fraud.
Russell A 10 of 12
I think that this is a great opportunity and brings hope to individuals with cancer and other rare conditions knowing that they will be able to benefit from their assistance while they can and knowing that the benefits will not come too late for them. I am glad to hear that people are finally realizing that certain disease need immediate attention. I know people who have cancer and will be so happy to hear what SS is doing for them. I also feel that these individual are already facing so many trials in their lives and do need some hope and one less worry for them is Great. Also, thanks to technology for speeding things up for these individuals.Igarza
It is great that people with rare disorders now qualify for so many things and can get the help they need. I for one would gladly take part in helping these people in need. Usually not enough funds are available for these people and daily living is very tough. Now with this extra aid, people with rare disorders or disabilities now have a chance at a good life with no worries financially.
Arturo D
I think the new Social Security program is going to do great things for many people with cancers and other rare diseases. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 men, will get some form of cancer. I have seen first hand what it is like for someone with cancer to not the benefits that they require. My grandmother did not get a lot of things she needed, making her ordeal with cancer even harder. We've learned that having and illness or having a disability not only affects the individual, but their families as well, often having to act as the primary caretaker, placing strain on the family and individual, and I am glad to see that disability decisions made in days rather than months will extend beyond the individual to the families. Hopefully we will see an increase in people getting benefits and services they need and deserve because of this new Social Security program.
Laura E.
This is interesting "compassionate Allowence," with SSA, but why should it be called rare diseases, if they are doing this, that means that they are not rare.. many people have these diseases? I dont get it, but anyways we are fortunate to have this, families and individuals can really use this extra help, Especially now that that insurance company look more for profit than to help the people. I think if we would made have better health benifits and more restrictions on insurance companyies, everybody can have a cjhance to live and forfill their lives. Dont get me wrong i think this is great.. i wish it was available when my Little sister had Luekemia and turbucoloses, she is a cancer surviver but now we live in major debt and my mother went through severe depression and caused our family hardship. I am sure that i am not the only one to have lived a hard life. i just wish that insurance companies would be more compasionate about their customers and let us rely on them. So since that happens we now have to rely on SSA... this is great and i hope everybody take advantage of this extra help.
Carmen G.
Technology has been very effective in developing many advances. I find it amazing what technology can do to benefit us. Of course everything has its downsides, but if it’s efficient and effective people benefit much more. The new compassionate allowances initiative is great for people with any type of cancer and rare diseases. The process seems like it’s both efficient and effective, just the fact that the decisions are done in a matter of days and not months can make a difference for the patient. This can decrease the inconveniences that many people needing assistance and their family or caregivers face. Technology is helping people in many convenient ways saving paper, time, and effort. When someone is ill, time can be vital, especially with any type of cancer. Early treatment and assistance can save someone’s life.
Janneth A.
This new process that Social Security program have provided for people with certain cancers and other sever conditions will be almost immediate answers, and not months like it use to be. The fast response can bring great relief for families who’s financially needs are depending on it. Technology now in days is most of the time looking forward in making life easier for people. For such a reason, now people with disabilities will only have to worry in getting better and not increase their agony by having worries about money.
Laura S.
This is an excellent program for persons with rare disorders. This is also an awakening to me letting me know that technology needs to be improved for faster benefits/ insurance to be delivered. We rarely think of these people when talking about rehab. It is a whole lot easier to talk about physical/mental disabilities such as muscular dystrophy or PTSD. 95% of cases will be easily scanned under familiar terms with the new program that will allow faster services to these individuals. It will be an outstanding achievement without a doubt. There are many people that have one or more of the rare disorders. When I was a young girl I had a friend who had leukemia. Her family was from the lower working income level and they had trouble to make ends meet. My friend passed away due to the disease. This program could have helped her family’s financial worries while enjoying the last days with her. We need this faster tracking program!
-Elizabeth H.
I think this would be a great opportunity for people who have these rare diseases and certain cancers. They will be able to get immediate help, without having to wait months. Its amazing how technology is advancing and making a major impact in our lives.
Andrea V.
This is great news for individuals who have severe conditions that require attention in an expeditious manner. Individuals that have these types of conditions don’t have all the time in the world to wait for their benefits to kick in and the waiting lists for most individuals with disabilities is far too time-consuming. The acceptance of disability claims in the new speedy SSA claims for severe conditions is at an impressive rate of 95%. This is without a doubt an outstanding achievement for individuals who have certain rare diseases. If only congress could make good use of its energy into expediting all claims to individuals who are qualified and eligible to receive such benefits. This type of attention can bring great optimism to individuals who have rare conditions that require immediate consideration and they will most definitely gain from the assistance they receive from their SSA type benefits. It is good to see that the social security administration is realizing the immediacy of these issues. Juan N. 11 of 12
Over all the New Compassionate Allowance will bring advantages to everyone. The reason I say everyone is because financially stability is a common issue in most house holds. With Social Security program disability decisions will be given in days and provide adequate health services to the person. Some people do not go to the doctors for annual exams, check ups due to the over whelming cost. If a person does decide to go to the doctors and finds out they have one of the 25 rare disease or 25 cancers, they would have to worry about who’s going to pay for the medical bills. It hard enough finding out such detail eliminating financial cost will be one less thing to worry about.
Monica M.
This is a real good & positive action taken by Washington DC. This will be a great relife,financially to the people who need it in the hour of thier need. Families with persons with disabilities of such a severe nature will atleast get a financial relife. We need such actions from Washington DC regularly to help persons with disability.
Puri.V
wow!!!!! It was time that new area of technology to impact our goverment programs. It is absolutely great that the whole process will be expedited with 95% approval rate. This change will definately pave the road for future changes. On the other hand, the article fails to mention the drawbacks of computarized decision making. Paty C
I am so glad to hear that the government is finally taking notice that people with disabilities are all different. Some people with disabilities do not have months to wait to get help they need help right away. In many cases, people with cancer or other rare diseases end up getting approved for SSA benefits after they have already passed. That’s why this new program is really needed. Not only will it expediate the process, but the program is resulting in 95% approval rate. That is unbelievable! I think this is a great step forward for not only people with cancer and rare diseases, but all people with disabilities. Maybe this program will trickle down and all SSA claims can be resolved much more quickly. Celena M
I think what the Social Security Administration is doing is a wonderful thing. People with these rare diseases and rare cancers should have the opportunity to have their disability results much quicker. I believe this should have been implemented long ago, unfortunately, these things take time that some don’t have. Speaking from experience, my mom and her sister both had breast cancer, fortunately, they are now survivors. Had something gone wrong or had it been more severe, this is something they would have needed about 12 years ago. This must be a big relief for those who have been trying for months now to get their disability obtained. It’ll be one less thing for them to worry about, God knows they have much more to think about.
Nancy C.
10 of 12
It is good to see that people with severe diseases are being offered assistance. It is hard to imagine being told that you have a life threatening illness. You learn that you will be facing some of the hardest times in your life. You then find out that your insurance does not cover the cost of treatment or has limited coverage. So not only are you extremely sick and probably getting sicker but your also faced with some costly medical bills. It is reassuring to know that the social security office is taking a stand to help the population through the difficult times. This is will probably help the individuals with these illnesses not stress about the financial aspect and focus on recovering.
~Marlene H. 7 of 12
People when they acquire some kind of cancer or suffer of some kind of health problem usually suffer financially especially if the disease is not comon and there are various types of procedures that are experimented to figure out a cure or treament for it. This will allow them to have less pressure on their back, because having some kind of disease or disability like this is really tough already, and then also add to it that you have a huge bill to pay makes matters much much worse!
-Brandon R.
I agree with Nofy G. providing people with this new system will help decrease the stress of finacial strain.
Monica M.
I think it's great that they are helping people with these severe conditions. It is terrible to have such a terrible disease and not have the money to pay for all the treatment. With this new opportunity and technology they are helping a lot of people take care of their diseases without having to go crazy on finding the money to pay the cost of it.
I think it's great that they are helping people with these severe conditions. It is terrible to have such a terrible disease and not have the money to pay for all the treatment. With this new opportunity and technology they are helping a lot of people take care of their diseases without having to go crazy on finding the money to pay the cost of it.
Karen L.
My feelings on compassionate allowance coincide with Cameron’s view in that it can alleviate some of the stresses that come from the worries associated in the finances from medical bills. Juan N.
David raises some very legitimate concerns. It is great that the SSA claims for severe conditions will be taken care of more quickly, but unfortunately there are dishonest people out there that make it difficult to move forward with technology.
I also agree with David that once this program is improved for severe conditions, it is also improved for those that have less serious conditions, but just as great a need. The wait for needed assistance can be very stressful and can lead to depression which make the dibilitating condition seem severe.
Also, as several people mentioned, when a person is ill, it is very difficult to think clearly enough to complete all the paperwork and all the necessary documentation. It's almost like we need to prepare to be ill or have a disability. How do you do that?
Sylvia S.
I think is great that people with cancer or other crital diseases will have a faster response from the social security, I personally know how this claims can take a long time. So, it is good so these people can enjoy their money.
Emma C.
I really like this article because I think its great that the SSA is doing something that will benefit people with these rare diseases and cancers. With this new technology things are going to be able to be done in a matter of days over months which is a great step up.
Crystal M.
Fifty rare diseases and cancers added to CAL,and some brain injuries are waiting to be added to such list for disability approval, that's great! Anyone whom has ever gone to see a doctor, and who hasn't very well knows how expensive that can be, think about the expense for certain medical needs that apply to long term conditions. Not everyone has insurance, and some insurances will only cover so much, then you are left with the decision of what to do, make the expense and take care of your health or not?? I hope brain injuries also get included in the CAL soon.
Teresa E.
"The new process uses rapid action computer scanning for key terms, resulting in 95% claim acceptance."
This is an outstanding use of technology. Of utmost importance will be the use of those predetermined key terms on the application and in the medical records. It is entirely possible that an individual that meets the criteria would be denied and have to appeal because too few "key terms" were used, thus having their financial assistance delayed. I hope that won't happen too often.
Margaret T.
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