Each State agency is responsible for comprehensive oversight management of its CE process and for ensuring accuracy, integrity, and economy of the CE process. SSA regulations require the DDSs to:

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  Achieve and authorize appropriate rates of payment for purchased medical services consistent with Federal and State laws;

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  Monitor referrals and the purchase of CEs in accordance with SSA policies;

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  Determine rates of payment for medical or other services if the State (the DDS parent agency) does not set a fee schedule;

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  Authorize CEs;

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  Maintain good working relationships with the medical community in order to recruit sufficient physicians and other providers of medical services to ensure ready availability of CE providers.

DDSs at a minimum must provide procedures for:

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  Monitoring referrals and purchasing of CEs to ensure only required examinations and tests are purchased;

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  Performing medical license verifications to ensure only qualified providers perform CEs for disability determination services;

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  Ensuring close attention is given to specific evaluation issues involved in each case;

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  CE scheduling intervals;

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  Ensuring timely completion and submission of CE reports;

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  Handling claimant complaints;

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  Reviewing CE reports;

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  Conducting annual onsite reviews of key providers;

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  Conducting ongoing recruitment, orientation and training for CE providers.