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Recommendations Database

GAO’s recommendations database contains report recommendations that still need to be addressed. GAO’s priority recommendations are those that we believe warrant priority attention. We sent letters to the heads of key departments and agencies, urging them to continue focusing on these issues. Below you can search only priority recommendations, or search all recommendations.

Our recommendations help congressional and agency leaders prepare for appropriations and oversight activities, as well as help improve government operations. Moreover, when implemented, some of our priority recommendations can save large amounts of money, help Congress make decisions on major issues, and substantially improve or transform major government programs or agencies, among other benefits.

As of October 25, 2020, there are 4812 open recommendations, of which 473 are priority recommendations. Recommendations remain open until they are designated as Closed-implemented or Closed-not implemented.

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Results:

Subject Term: "Disability programs"

2 publications with a total of 4 open recommendations
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Social Security Disability: Action Needed to Help Agency Staff Understand and Follow Policies Related to Prescription Opioid Misuse
GAO-20-120, Jan 9, 2020
Director: Elizabeth Curda
Phone: (202) 512-7215

2 open recommendations
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Recommendation: The Commissioner of the Social Security Administration should clarify policies and procedures to remind staff that a diagnosis of a substance use disorder is not necessary to conduct a Drug Addiction and Alcoholism evaluation. (Recommendation 1)

Agency: Social Security Administration
Status: Open

Comments: SSA agreed with this recommendation. The agency stated that it had revised related policies in February 2020, and had planned to issue guidance and video-on-demand training to further clarify policies and procedures in this area. However, SSA said its efforts to maintain mission critical activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic have delayed further implementation of this recommendation and a specific implementation date could not be provided at this time.
Recommendation: The Commissioner of the Social Security Administration should ensure that staff document their rationale for decisions involving the Drug Addiction and Alcoholism evaluation process. (Recommendation 2)

Agency: Social Security Administration
Status: Open

Comments: SSA agreed with this recommendation. The agency said it had planned to issue guidance reinforcing its policy on properly documenting decisions involving the Drug Addiction and Alcoholism evaluation process. However, SSA said its efforts to maintain mission critical activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic have delayed implementation of this recommendation and a specific implementation date could not be provided at this time.
Railroad Retirement Board: Actions Needed to Improve the Effectiveness and Oversight of Continuing Disability Reviews
GAO-18-287, Feb 21, 2018
Director: Elizabeth Curda
Phone: (202) 512-7215

2 open recommendations
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Recommendation: To improve RRB's ability to make accurate disability benefit eligibility determinations, including CDRs, and to decrease the potential for making improper payments, Congress should consider granting RRB access to the Department of Health and Human Services' quarterly earnings information from the National Directory of New Hires database. (Matter for Consideration 1)

Agency: Congress
Status: Open

Comments: As of March 2020, no legislation has been enacted resulting from this matter to Congress. RRB's (the Board) fiscal year 2020 budget proposal included a legislative proposal to provide the Board access to the NDNH. Although the Board reported that the resulting proposed legislation drafted by HHS - the entity that maintains the NDNH - would, if enacted, provide access to the NDNH, the Board opposed the proposal in part because it would not waive associated fees to access the NDNH, and concluded access to the NDNH would not be cost-effective. In January 2020, the Board informed GAO it is not currently seeking legislation to gain access to the NDNH, resulting in the Board continuing to use earnings data that may be outdated in its continuing disability reviews, but that it may seek access in the future.
Recommendation: To enhance RRB's ability to manage and oversee its CDR program, RRB should routinely compile and analyze CDR program data, such as the number of cases selected for review, the number of beneficiaries in each medical improvement category, outcomes, and the costs and benefits of conducting CDRs, to improve program oversight. (Recommendation 3)

Agency: Railroad Retirement Board
Status: Open

Comments: RRB agreed with this recommendation. In June 2020, RRB reported that its Program Evaluation and Management Services (PEMS) section will compile and analyze all relevant CDR program case and cost data to better oversee CDRs. RRB said that its first analysis would cover CDR's adjudicated from April 2019 through September 2020; as of June 2020 they had adjudicated 107 CDR cases. In addition, RRB reported that its monthly reporting on CDRs to the Director of Disability includes information on the type of CDR completed, the medical improvement category for medical CDR, and the disposition of the CDR. In August 2018, the agency had reported that it began reporting in October 2017 weekly pending CDR type action cases to the Director of Programs, and that it had begun tracking CDR reason codes for each medical improvement category. To close this recommendation, RRB will need to include an analysis of the costs and benefits of conducting CDRs, including any overpayments or underpayments processed, and share its complete analysis of CDRs through September 2020 after it is completed. At that point GAO will review the analysis and decide if it provides a sufficient bases for program oversight.