Digital process reduces VA claims backlog The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that more than 30 percent of its disability claims inventory is now digital. This is a key part of transforming outdated, paper processing into an electronic system. All new claims are transformed into digital records for electronic processing. Tons of paper documents handled each year related to veterans’ claims created a massive backlog in processing. Digital conversion improves processing timeliness by eliminating paper folder transport, reducing manual data entry, streamlining the review of medical records, and standardizing correspondence with veterans and beneficiaries. More than 1 million images are added each day. “Finding a key piece of evidence in a thick paper file folder takes time,” said a claims specialist. “With digital claims records, we can find all the key information related to the claim with a keystroke.” The backlog of claims pending over 125 days has been reduced by nearly 12 percent. Priority is given to disability claims from homeless veterans, those with extreme financial hardship, the terminally ill, former Prisoners of War and Medal of Honor recipients.

Social Security is not so secure

The Social Security Board of Trustees, in its annual report, projected that the retirement trust fund will be depleted in 2033 -- unchanged from last year. It said that unless Congress acts, at that point the program will be able to pay only 77 percent of promised benefits from ongoing contributions. The disability trust fund will be depleted in 2016 when the program will be able to pay only 80 percent of promised benefits. More than 57 million people were receiving Social Security at the end of 2012. Approximately 161 million people paid payroll taxes on earnings covered by Social Security. Total money held in reserve rose by $54 billion in 2012 to $2.73 trillion. Cost to administer the program in 2012 was 0.8 percent of total expenditures -- $6.3 billion.

Medicare will not call for verification

Scammers are making fraudulent telephone calls involving Medicare cards. Claiming they will send a new Medicare card, callers ask beneficiaries to verify their bank account and social security numbers and their address. Medicare does not call beneficiaries for such information. Beneficiaries must call Medicare, or go online, to request a new card. If you are aware of any such calls, notify the Medicare Fraud line at 1-800-633-4227.

The Retiree Activities Office is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit the office in Building 1604 at California and Colorado Avenues or call us at 301-981-2726. Our e-mail address is rao@andrews.af.mil. Call the office before your visit to ensure a volunteer is on duty. The RAO has a website at www.andrews.af.mil; Under “Helpful Links” click on “Retirees Activity Office” for information on retiree subjects, including past copies of “Retiree Corner.”