The Medical Improvement Review Standard

According to the Medical Improvement Review Standard (MIRS), an individual’s disability benefits may be terminated on a finding that the disability has ceased, does not exist, or is not disabling only if such finding is supported by substantial evidence of at least one of the following: (1) Medical improvement: There has been any medical improvement in the individual(s) impairments, which is related to the individual's ability to work, and the individual is now able to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA); or (2) Medical/vocational therapy: New medical evidence and a new assessment of the individual’s residual functional capacity (RFC) demonstrate that the individual is a beneficiary of work-relevant advances in medical or vocational therapy or has had work-relevant vocational therapy and is now able to engage in SGA; or (3) New or improved diagnostic techniques: New or improved diagnostic techniques show that the impairment(s) are not as disabling as they were considered to be at the time of the most recent prior decision and therefore the individual is able to engage in SGA; or (4) Error: The prior determination was in error.

1.	In your opinion, to what extent, if at all, does the MIRS result in individuals being continued for benefits whereas under a de novo review, benefits would have been ceased? (Select one.)
	1.		To a very great extent – Continue.
	2.		To a great extent – Continue.
	3.		To a moderate extent – Continue.
	4.		To a minor extent – Continue.
	5.		Not at all (GO TO SECTION: Interpretation/Implementation of the Medical Improvement Review Standard)
	6.		No basis to judge or no opinion (GO TO SECTION: Interpretation/Implementation of the Medical Improvement Review Standard)

2.	In your opinion, why does the MIRS result in individuals being continued for benefits whereas under a de novo review, benefits would have been ceased? Note: This box and all similar answer boxes will scroll forward to accommodate longer responses.

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Full Report: GAO-07-8

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