2019-20444. Extension of Expiration Dates for Two Body System Listings  

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    AGENCY:

    Social Security Administration.

    ACTION:

    Final rule.

    SUMMARY:

    We are extending the expiration dates of the following body systems in the Listing of Impairments (listings) in our regulations: Respiratory Disorders and Genitourinary Disorders. We are making no other revisions to these body systems in this final rule. This extension ensures that we will continue to have the criteria we need to evaluate impairments in the affected body systems at step three of the sequential evaluation processes for initial claims and continuing disability reviews.

    DATES:

    This final rule is effective on September 24, 2019.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Cheryl A. Williams, Director, Office of Medical Policy, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401, (410) 965-1020. For information on eligibility or filing for benefits, call our national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, or TTY 1-800-325-0778, or visit our internet site, Social Security Online, at http://www.socialsecurity.gov.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Background

    We use the listings in appendix 1 to subpart P of part 404 of 20 CFR at the third step of the sequential evaluation process to evaluate claims filed by adults and children for benefits based on disability under the title II and title XVI programs.[1] 20 CFR 404.1520(d), 416.920(d), 416.924(d). The listings are in two parts: Part A has listings criteria for adults and Part B has listings criteria for children. If you are age 18 or over, we apply the listings criteria in part A when we assess your impairment or combination of impairments. If you are under age 18, we first use the criteria in part B of the listings when we assess your impairment(s). If the criteria in part B do not apply, we may use the criteria in part A when those criteria consider the effects of your impairment(s). 20 CFR 404.1525(b), 416.925(b).

    Explanation of Changes

    In this final rule, we are extending the dates on which the listings for the following two body systems will no longer be effective as set out in the following chart:

    ListingCurrent expiration dateExtended expiration date
    Respiratory Disorders 3.00 and 103.00October 7, 2019December 10, 2021.
    Genitourinary Disorders 6.00 and 106.00December 9, 2019December 10, 2021.

    We continue to revise and update the listings on a regular basis, including those body systems not affected by this final rule.[2] We intend to update the two listings affected by this final rule as necessary based on medical advances as quickly as possible, but may not be able to publish final rules revising these listings by the current expiration dates. Therefore, we are extending the expiration dates listed above.

    Regulatory Procedures

    Justification for Final Rule

    We follow the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) rulemaking procedures specified in 5 U.S.C. 553 in promulgating regulations. Section 702(a)(5) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 902(a)(5). Generally, the APA requires that an agency provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing a final regulation. The APA provides exceptions to the notice-and-comment requirements when an agency finds there is good cause for dispensing with such procedures because they are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.

    We determined that good cause exists for dispensing with the notice and public comment procedures. 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This final rule only extends the date on which two body system listings will no longer be effective. It makes no substantive changes to our rules. Our current regulations [3] provide that we may extend, revise, or Start Printed Page 49951promulgate the body system listings again. Therefore, we determined that opportunity for prior comment is unnecessary, and we are issuing this regulation as a final rule.

    In addition, for the reasons cited above, we find good cause for dispensing with the 30-day delay in the effective date of this final rule. 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). We are not making any substantive changes to the listings in these body systems. Without an extension of the expiration dates for these listings, we will not have the criteria we need to assess medical impairments in these two body systems at step three of the sequential evaluation processes. We therefore find it is in the public interest to make this final rule effective on the publication date.

    Executive Order 12866, as Supplemented by Executive Order 13563

    We consulted with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and determined that this final rule does not meet the requirements for a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, as supplemented by Executive Order 13563. Therefore, OMB did not review it. We also determined that this final rule meets the plain language requirement of Executive Order 12866.

    Regulatory Flexibility Act

    We certify that this final rule does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because it affects only individuals. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended.

    Executive Order 13771

    This regulation does not impose novel costs on the public and as such is considered an exempt regulatory action under E.O. 13771.

    Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule does not create any new or affect any existing collections and, therefore, do not require OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

    (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 96.001, Social Security-Disability Insurance; 96.002, Social Security-Retirement Insurance; 96.004, Social Security-Survivors Insurance; 96.006, Supplemental Security Income)

    Start List of Subjects

    List of Subjects in 20 CFR Part 404

    • Administrative practice and procedure
    • Blind
    • Disability benefits
    • Old-Age
    • Survivors and Disability Insurance
    • Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
    • Social Security
    End List of Subjects Start Signature

    Andrew Saul,

    Commissioner of Social Security.

    End Signature

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, we are amending appendix 1 to subpart P of part 404 of chapter III of title 20 of the Code of Federal Regulations as set forth below.

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    PART 404—FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS AND DISABILITY INSURANCE (1950—)

    Subpart P—[Amended]

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    1. The authority citation for subpart P of part 404 continues to read as follows:

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    Authority: Secs. 202, 205(a)-(b) and (d)-(h), 216(i), 221(a) and (h)-(j), 222(c), 223, 225, and 702(a)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402, 405(a)-(b) and (d)-(h), 416(i), 421(a) and (h)-(j), 422(c), 423, 425, and 902(a)(5)); sec. 211(b), Pub. L. 104-193, 110 Stat. 2105, 2189; sec. 202, Pub. L. 108-203, 118 Stat. 509 (42 U.S.C. 902 note).

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    2. Amend appendix 1 to subpart P of part 404 in the introductory text by revising items 4 and 7 to read as follows:

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    Appendix 1 to Subpart P of Part 404—Listing of Impairments

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    4. Respiratory Disorders (3.00 and 103.00): December 10, 2021.

    * * * * *

    7. Genitourinary Disorders (6.00 and 106.00): December 10, 2021.

    * * * * *
    End Supplemental Information

    Footnotes

    1.  We also use the listings in the sequential evaluation processes we use to determine whether a beneficiary's disability continues. See 20 CFR 404.1594, 416.994, and 416.994a.

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    2.  Since we last extended the expiration dates of the listings affected by this final rule in June 2016 (81 FR 37138) and October 2014 (79 FR 61221), we published final rules revising the medical criteria for evaluating hematological disorders (80 FR 21159 (2015)), cancer (malignant neoplastic diseases) (80 FR 28821 (2015)), neurological disorders (81 FR 66137 (2016)), mental disorders (81 FR 66137 (2016)), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (81 FR 86915 (2016)).

    Back to Citation

    3.  See the first sentence of appendix 1 to subpart P of part 404 of 20 CFR.

    Back to Citation

    [FR Doc. 2019-20444 Filed 9-23-19; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4191-02-P

Document Information

Effective Date:
9/24/2019
Published:
09/24/2019
Department:
Social Security Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
2019-20444
Dates:
This final rule is effective on September 24, 2019.
Pages:
49950-49951 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. SSA-2019-0036
RINs:
0960-AI44
Topics:
Administrative practice and procedure, Aged, Blind, Disability benefits, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Social security
PDF File:
2019-20444.Pdf
CFR: (1)
20 CFR 404