Social Security disability applications may be easier in retirement living communities

People in retirement living communities may never see the system in use, but a recently announced partnership between Microsoft and the Social Security Administration could mean easier disability applications for seniors.


Commissioner Michael J. Astrue announced that the administration will be testing HealthVault, an electronic health records system, to help streamline the process for those applying for social security disability benefits.


"The use of personal health records holds great promise for ensuring that the medical information we collect from someone applying for disability benefits is accurate and complete," said Astrue.

"Combined with other advancements in health information technology, our use of HealthVault should result in faster decisions for disability applicants."


Microsoft has been working to develop relationships with a variety of stakeholders in the healthcare reform debate, from insurers to consumers, since it launched the HealthVault product in 2007.


President Obama has focused on automating health records as one way to reduce mounting medical costs, and advocated billions of dollars worth of initiatives towards increasing the use of healthcare information technology systems.


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