Better Management Needed in Social Security Administration's Toll-Free Telephone Service to the Public
MASAD-82-3
Published: Oct 28, 1981. Publicly Released: Oct 28, 1981.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the Social Security Administration's (SSA) toll-free telephone service to the public.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of SSA to: (1) assign to the Communications Systems Branch central management responsibility for ensuring that toll-free telephone services configurations are the most cost-effective method to the Government; (2) ask the Communications Systems Branch to conduct the annual economic analysis of toll-free telephone services required by Federal Property Management Regulation 101-37.312; and (3) instruct SSA offices to discontinue promoting public use of collect calls for contacting its offices, unless extenuating circumstances exist. |
An accomplishment report was processed for a $7 million cost reduction in the SSA telephone service. While the remaining recommended actions are valid, they are no longer priority items. The National Security and International Affairs Division no longer has responsibility for this area and does not believe that continued followup of the remaining items is justified.
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Topics
Cost controlCost effectiveness analysisProgram managementTelephonesTelephone servicesTelecommunicationsSystems acquisitionFederal property managementEconomic analysisTorts