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SSA

RIN: 0960-AF69

Publication ID: Fall 2011

Title: Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Mental Disorders (886F)
Abstract: Sections 12.00 and 112.00, Mental Disorders, of appendix 1 to subpart P of part 404 of our regulations describe those mental impairments that we consider severe enough to prevent a person from doing any gainful activity, or that cause marked and severe functional limitations for a child claiming Supplemental Security Income payments under title XVI. We will revise the criteria in these sections to ensure that the medical evaluation criteria are up to date and consistent with the latest advances in medical knowledge and treatment.
Agency: Social Security Administration(SSA)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 20 CFR 404.1500, app 1 20 CFR 404.1520a 20 CFR 416.920a 20 CFR 416.934
Legal Authority: 42 USC 402 42 USC 405(a) 42 USC 405(b) 42 USC 405(d) to 42 USC 405(h) 42 USC 416(i) 42 USC 421(a) 42 USC 421(h) 42 USC 421(i) 42 USC 423 42 USC 902(a)(5) 42 USC 1381a 42 USC 1382c 42 USC 1383 42 USC 1383b

Legal Deadline: None

Statement of Need: These regulations are necessary to update the listings for evaluating mental disorders to reflect advances in medical knowledge, treatment, and methods of evaluating these disorders. The changes will ensure that determinations of disability have a sound medical basis, that claimants receive equal treatment through the use of specific criteria, and that people who are disabled can be readily identified and awarded benefits if all other factors of entitlement or eligibility are met.

Summary of the Legal Basis: Administrative--not required by statute or court order.

Alternatives: We considered not revising the listings or making only minor technical changes. However, we believe that these revisions are preferable because of the medical advances that have been made in treating and evaluating these types of disorders. We have not comprehensively revised the current listings in over 15 years. Medical advances in disability evaluation and treatment and our program experience make clear that the current listings do not reflect state-of-the-art medical knowledge and technology.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: Savings estimates for fiscal years 2010 to 2018: (in millions of dollars) OASDI-315, SSI-370.

Risks: None.

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
ANPRM	03/17/2003	68 FR 12639
ANPRM Comment Period End	06/16/2003
NPRM	08/19/2010	75 FR 51336
NPRM Comment Period End	11/17/2010
NPRM	11/24/2010	75 FR 71632
NPRM Comment Period End	12/09/2010
Final Action	03/00/2012

Additional Information: Includes Retrospective Review under E.O. 13563.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes
Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: Cheryl A. Williams Director Social Security Administration Office of Medical Policy, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401 Phone:410 965-1020 Email: cheryl.a.williams@ssa.gov Fran O. Thomas Social Insurance Specialist, Regulations Writer Social Security Administration Office of Regulations, Office of Regulations and Reports Clearance, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401 Phone:410 966-9822