QR establishes grace periods in consultation with Disability Programs.

The grace period for adjudicating components to implement use of new or revised policy or procedures, as provided in Program Operations Manual System (POMS) transmittals (TN) and emergency messages (EM), is two full calendar months after the effective date of the issuance. For example, if the POMS transmittal is effective 6/28, the grace period would continue through 8/31.

The date an adjudicating component disability examiner signs the SSA-831-C3/U3 (Disability Determination and Transmittal) determines when and whether the grace period applies.

Quality reviewers will review grace period cases in the usual manner, including obtaining medical or psychological contractor review, if applicable, and return deficient cases to the adjudicating component for corrective action.

The quality reviewer will enter the assigned grace period code in the “Grace Period” field on the QA Initial Allowance tab in QR’s case processing system only if there is a group I deficiency in the grace period case that is directly related to the new or revised policy or procedure.

Quality reviewers will code group I deficiencies in the usual manner in the “Med/Voc Deficiency” field under the QA Initial Allowance tab in QR’s case processing system.

When a quality reviewer identifies a deficiency in a case, that is related to a new or revised policy or procedure covered by a grace period, the quality reviewer will cite the deficiency and return the deficient case to the adjudicating component for correction. The quality reviewer will annotate the SSA-1774-U5 (Request for Corrective Action) with the following remark:

• •

  Informational Only. Group I Deficiency Not Counted in Performance Accuracy Calculations.

NOTE: When a quality reviewer identifies a deficiency in a case, that is NOT related to a new or revised policy or procedure covered by a grace period, the quality reviewer will cite and record the deficiency following the standard quality review process.