SSA Cutting Costs?

The Wall Street Journal published this article last November discussing how the Social Security Administration (SSA) is cutting costs generated by the doctors employed to review cases. Per the article, the doctors are receiving less money per case reviewed, have been pressured to review an incredibly large number of cases, and are reviewing cases outside of their medical specialty. The article provides a clear example of what can happen when medical experts are overworked and are asked to review conditions outside of the specialty: Mr. Bunn’s claim based upon a neurological condition typically found in older individuals was denied due to an opinion provided by a pediatrician despite two supportive opinions provided by Mr. Bunn, leading to a claim that was eventually resolved by an Administrative Law Judge over two years later and after much financial hardship.