The purpose of the MINE CDR telephone interview is to:
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verify the beneficiary or recipient is alive and not working;
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explain the purpose and nature of the review and answer any questions in a manner
that is sensitive to the beneficiary or recipient's concerns and needs;
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secure a statement that the impairment remains severe; and
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verify that none of the exceptions to the medical improvement review standard (MIRS)
exist. For more information on MIRS exceptions see DI 28020.001.
Telephone contact is intended to expedite the process for cases with a MINE diary.
The DE should make three contact attempts on successive dates, at different hours
of the day. Make every effort to speak directly to the beneficiary or recipient, payee,
or representative. If an interpreter is needed, follow instructions in DI 23040.001.
Review the folder, queries, and other available resources to locate a current telephone
number if needed. The servicing FO may be a resource to locate beneficiaries or recipients
whose telephone numbers are not readily available, particularly in Title XVI cases.
Be prepared to conduct the full interview during this initial phone contact if the
beneficiary or recipient, payee, or representative is prepared to provide the necessary
CDR information and prefers to do so at that time.
NOTE: In Title XVI child cases, if there are any problems obtaining required information
from the child’s payee or representative, make special efforts to identify and contact an additional adult or agency responsible for the child’s
care. The general approach to failure to cooperate issues in DI 25205.020 applies to CDRs as well as to initial claims situations.
The DE must document the name of any beneficiary or recipient contacted, the information
received, and attempts at contact using an SSA-5002 (Report of Contact), claims communication, case note, or other SSA approved method.
Sites using the electronic Claims Analysis Tool (eCAT) should refer to theeCAT User Guide and the Disability Case Processing System (DCPS) guide for electronic CDR (eCDR)
documentation guidance.