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Sections 5.00 and 105.00, Digestive System and sections 8.00 and 108.00, Skin Disorders, of appendix 1 to subpart P of part 404 of our regulations describe those disorders that we consider severe enough to prevent a person from engaging in any gainful activity, or that cause marked and severe functional limitations for a child claiming Supplemental Security Income payments under title XVI. We are revising 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.

Statement of Need:

These changes would modernize our criteria for evaluating digestive and skin disorders, consistent with current medical and scientific evidence and standards of care.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

Sections 4.00 and 104.00, Cardiovascular System, of appendix 1 to subpart P of part 404 of our regulations.

Sections 8.00 and 108.00, Skin Disorders, of appendix 1 to subpart P of part 404 of our regulations.

This proposed rule is not required by statute or court order.

Alternatives:

We considered continuing to use our current criteria. However, we believe these proposed revisions are necessary because of medical advances, technology, and treatment since we last revised these rules.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

The results of the actuarial analysis indicate a small net increase in scheduled OASDI benefit payments for digestive disorders updates ($93 million), a small net decrease in Federal SSI payments ($4 million), and small net decreases in scheduled OASDI benefit payments for skin disorders updates ($83 million) and in Federal SSI payments ($40 million) over a ten year period.

Risks:

None.