Social Security Administration December 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Amendments to Regulations Regarding Eligibility for a Medicare Prescription Drug Subsidy
Document Number: 2010-32848
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are revising our regulations to incorporate changes to the Medicare prescription drug coverage low-income subsidy (Extra Help) program made by the Affordable Care Act which was enacted on March 23, 2010. Under our interpretation of section 3304 of the Affordable Care Act and this interim final rule, if the death of a beneficiary's spouse would decrease or eliminate the subsidy provided by the Extra Help program, we will, based on a determination, or redetermination, extend the effective period of eligibility for the most recent determination or redetermination until 1 year after the month following the month we are notified of the death of the spouse. These regulatory changes will allow us to implement this provision of the Affordable Care Act when it goes into effect on January 1, 2011. We are also revising our regulations to incorporate changes made by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), which affect the way we account for income and resources when determining eligibility for the Extra Help program. The statute provides that we no longer count as a resource the value of any life insurance policy for Extra Help applications filed, or redeterminations that are effective, on or after January 1, 2010. In addition, we will no longer count as income the help a beneficiary receives when someone else provides food and shelter, or pays household bills for food, mortgage, rent, electricity, water, property taxes, or heating fuel or gas. These revisions will update our rules to reflect these statutory changes.
Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Proposed Routine Use
Document Number: 2010-32565
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (e)(11)), we are issuing public notice of our intent to add a new routine use to our system of records entitled Master Files of Social Security Number (SSN) Holders and SSN Applications, 60-0058 (the Enumeration System). The routine use to the Enumeration System will allow us, upon request of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Agriculture's National Finance Center (NFC), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and the States, or the States' respective contractors or agents that administer the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) to verify the name, SSN, and date of birth, and confirm whether citizenship allegations match information in our records for the purposes of determining eligibility for PCIP. We discuss the routine use in greater detail in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. We invite public comment on this proposal.
Rate for Assessment on Direct Payment Fees to Representatives in 2011
Document Number: 2010-32566
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-12-28
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are announcing that the assessment percentage rate under sections 206(d) and 1631(d)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act (Act), 42 U.S.C. 406 (d), and 1383(d)(2)(C), is 6.3 percent for 2011.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request
Document Number: 2010-32107
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-12-22
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Proposed System of Records and Routine Use Disclosures
Document Number: 2010-31700
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-12-17
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (e)(11)), we are issuing public notice of our intent to establish a system of records, the Central Repository of Electronic Authentication Data Master File (hereinafter referred to as the e-Authentication File) and its applicable routine uses. The e-Authentication File will maintain personally identifiable information (PII) we collect and use to verify the identity of persons using our electronic services. We discuss the e-Authentication File and its routine use disclosures in the Supplementary Information section below. We invite public comments on the e-Authentication File.
Amendments to Regulations Regarding Withdrawal of Applications and Voluntary Suspension of Benefits
Document Number: 2010-30868
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-08
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are modifying our regulations to establish a 12-month time limit for the withdrawal of old-age benefits applications, allow one withdrawal per lifetime, and limit the voluntary suspension of benefits for purposes of receiving delayed retirement credits to months for which you have not received a payment. We are making these changes to revise current policies that have the potential for misuse.
Regulations Regarding Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts to Medicare Beneficiaries' Prescription Drug Coverage Premiums
Document Number: 2010-30276
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-07
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are adding a new subpart to our regulations, which contains the rules we will apply to determine the income-related monthly adjustment amount for Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums. This new subpart implements changes made to the Social Security Act (Act) by the Affordable Care Act. These rules parallel the rules in subpart B of this part, which describes the rules we apply when we determine the income-related monthly adjustment amount for certain Medicare Part B (medical insurance) beneficiaries. These rules describe the new subpart; what information we will use to determine whether you will pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount and the amount of the adjustment when applicable; when we will consider a major life- changing event that results in a significant reduction in your modified adjusted gross income; and how you can appeal our determination about your income-related monthly adjustment amount. These rules will allow us to implement the provisions of the Affordable Care Act on time that relate to the income-related monthly adjustment amount for Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums, when they go into effect on January 1, 2011.
Listening Session Regarding Improving the Accessibility of Government Information
Document Number: 2010-30273
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-12-02
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
This notice announces a listening session being conducted in response to a memo dated July 19, 2010, from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on ``Improving the Accessibility of Government Information.'' Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d) requires Federal agencies to buy and use electronic and information technology (EIT) that is accessible. The July memo directs agencies to take stronger steps toward improving the acquisition and implementation of accessible technology. In order to better understand the needs of diverse communities and provide better solutions, the U.S. Council of CIOs, in collaboration with the Chief Acquisition Officers Council, the GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy and the U.S. Access Board, is holding the second in a series of listening sessions to engage citizens and employees in expressing concerns and proposing ideas. Persons with disabilities, their advocates, technology companies, government employees and other interested parties are invited to participate.
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