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SSA RIN: 0960-AG89 Publication ID: Fall 2008 
Title: ●Redefining a Medical Source Opinion (3487P) 
Abstract: We propose to change the type of information we ask for in medical source statements. Specifically, we will ask medical sources to assess the limitations and restrictions caused by a claimant’s medically determinable impairment(s) rather than estimating the claimant’s capacities. Our current process asks medical sources to evaluate claimants in terms of what activities they can perform despite their impairment(s). This change comports with current medical practice, wherein medical sources describe the limiting effects of a patient’s impairment(s), and will make it easier for medical sources to provide the information we need to evaluate a claimant’s disability. We propose that this change apply to all levels of our administrative process. We also propose to give our adjudicators additional methods for handling claims that contain inconsistent or insufficient medical evidence. Currently, when the quality of the medical evidence prevents us from determining whether a claimant is disabled, we must recontact the treating medical sources for additional information. We propose to revise our regulations to state that where the available medical evidence is inadequate to determine disability, is unclear, or conflicts with other information in the file, our adjudicators may: (1) Contact either the claimant or the appropriate medical source for clarification; (2) evaluate all of the evidence in the file to attempt to adjudicate the claim; or (3) order a consultative examination. This proposed rule will also clarify that our adjudicators are required to make every reasonable effort to obtain the requested information. We also propose to clarify that we base disability determinations and decisions primarily on a review of the longitudinal evidence of your impairment(s). We will emphasize the importance of considering claimants overall functioning, rather than their functioning at a single point in time. This long-standing policy will not change the outcome of disability determinations or decisions; however, it will make our policy more transparent. 
Agency: Social Security Administration(SSA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: Undetermined  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 20 CFR 404.1502    20 CFR 404.1512    20 CFR 404.1513    20 CFR 404.1519a    20 CFR 404.1519n    20 CFR 404.1520    20 CFR 404.1520b (New)    20 CFR 404.1527    20 CFR 404.1545    20 CFR 416.902    20 CFR 416.912    20 CFR 416.913    20 CFR 416.919a    20 CFR 416.919n    20 CFR 416.920    20 CFR 416.920b (New)    20 CFR 416.927    20 CFR 416.945   
Legal Authority: 42 USC 402    42 USC 405(a)    42 USC 405(d)(h)    42 USC 416(i)    42 USC 421(a)    42 USC 421(i)    42 USC 421(m)    42 USC 421 note    42 USC 422(c)    42 USC 423    42 USC 423 note    42 USC 425    42 USC 902(a)(5)    42 USC 1382    42 USC 1382c    42 USC 1382h    42 UC 1382h note    42 USC 1383(a)    42 USC 1383(c)    42 USC 1383(d)(1)    42 USC 1383(p)    42 USC 1383b   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  09/00/2009    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Shirleen Roth
Social Insurance Specialist
Social Security Administration
Office of Disability Programs, 6401 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401
Phone:410 966-1174

Richard M. Bresnick
Social Insurance Specialist, Regulations Writer
Social Security Administration
Office of Regulations, 6401 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401
Phone:410 965-1758