FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ABOUT THE ACCELERATED BENEFITS DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
WHAT IS THE ACCELERATED BENEFITS DEMONSTRATION?
The Accelerated Benefits (AB) Demonstration is a special project sponsored by the Social Security Administration. It will look at how providing immediate health benefits and care management to new Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries affects their health, independence, employment outcomes, and other benefits. The demonstration is for beneficiaries whose medical conditions could improve or are likely to improve with appropriate medical treatment.
WHO IS SPONSORING THE STUDY?
The study is being sponsored by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the federal agency responsible for administering retirement, disability and survivor benefit programs to workers and their families. For more information about SSA, please visit their website at http://www.ssa.gov.
WHO IS CONDUCTING THE STUDY?
MDRC and Mathematica Policy Research (MPR), two national policy research organizations, are working together on this project. POMCO is the agency responsible for administering the AB health benefits. POMCO will contact all eligible participants to enroll them in a health plan.
HOW DID YOU GET MY NAME?
Your name was selected from among persons who recently became eligible for Social Security benefits.
I AM NOT INTERESTED.
Let me reassure you that we are not selling anything. The questions we ask are designed to help the SSA improve services to people who are recently disabled and unable to work. There are no right or wrong answers. We’re interested in your experiences and opinions.
MY NAME IS ON A “DO NOT CALL” LIST. YOU SHOULD NOT BE CALLING ME.
The laws governing the Federal “Do not call” list can be confusing, but research calls are not included in the law that applies to telemarketing calls. Most lawmakers understand the value of legitimate research and the need for the public to participate. We will not sell you anything, nor will we sell your personally identifiable information. Your privacy will be respected and your cooperation is appreciated.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T PARTICIPATE IN THE SURVEY?
Your participation is voluntary and will not affect your eligibility to receive your regular Social Security benefits. However, you cannot be enrolled in the AB program without first completing a telephone interview. Your experiences and opinions are very important to the success and improvement of programs like this.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE TELEPHONE INTERVIEW?
The interview will take approximately 4025 minutes to complete.
WILL MY INFORMATION BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL?
Yes. All of the information we collect in the survey is completely confidential and will be used for research purposes only. Your answers will be combined with the answers of other survey participants. Your name will never be used in any reports. However, if you are selected to receive the AB benefits, we will share your name and contact information with POMCO so that they can call you to enroll in the AB health plan.
WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
For questions about the research study, please call MDRC at xxx-xxx-xxxx and ask for _______. You can learn more about MDRC at their website, http://www.mdrc.org.
For information about the survey, please call Mathematica toll free at xxx-xxx-xxxx and ask for _________. You can also visit Mathematica’s website at http://www.mathematica-mpr.com
For more information about the health plan and your eligibility status, please contact POMCO toll free at xxx-xxx-xxxx and ask for ______________,or visit their website at http://www.pomcoplus.com.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | MEMORANDUM |
| Author | Rebecca Weiner |
| Last Modified By | Davidson, Liz |
| File Modified | 2007-05-10 |
| File Created | 2007-05-10 |