Disability benefits algorithm audit

Dear Todd Feathers:

This email is to confirm receipt of your public records request. If this request requires extensive use of resources, this office will contact you again once an estimate of the costs associated with producing the records you seek is prepared. The tracking number associated with your request is in the subject line of this email. If you have any questions, please let me know. Your request was received in this office on 3/15/2023 and given the reference number P094886-031423 for tracking purposes.
Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Florida Sunshine Law, I request the following records regarding algorithmic tools used by your agency to guide decision making for the administration of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and/or supplemental state disability benefits:

For the purposes of this request, the term algorithmic tools refers to computer software or code that employs machine learning techniques (sometimes described as artificial intelligence or predictive analytics). It does not apply to other types of algorithms, such as Excel formulas.

My request applies to all algorithmic tools developed in-house by your agency, purchased for use by your agency, or otherwise used by your agency since Jan. 1, 2018 to help administer Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and/or supplemental state disability benefits. Such algorithmic tools include, but are not limited to, models for:

- Fraud detection
- Rate setting
- Benefit use prediction (e.g., models that predict for how long individuals will require benefits or what the total cost will be)
- Enrollment prediction (e.g., models that predict enrollment rates among the larger population)
- Case management (e.g., models that group similar cases together or determine caseloads for adjudicators)
- Investigations (e.g., models that prioritize complaints for investigation or flag claims for additional review)
- Advertising/outreach prioritization (e.g. models used to decide where or to which groups to advertise)

For each algorithmic tool your agency has used since Jan. 1, 2018, I request the following records:

1) Executive summaries, project overviews, or comparable records that describe the scope and purpose of the algorithmic tool.

2) Contracts, statements of work, successful RFP submissions and bid packets, or comparable records that describe the purchase and/or construction of the algorithmic tool.

3) User handbooks, guides, training manuals, agency policies, or comparable records that describe the tool’s functions and its appropriate uses..

I ask that all fees be waived as I am a journalist and intend to use the requested records to publish articles in the public interest. In the event you choose to impose fees, I request a detailed breakdown of the fees, including the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of processing the request and an explanation justifying the employee hours required to complete the request.

Should you choose to reject this request or redact portions of it, I ask that you provide a detailed breakdown of the statutory exemptions and associated case law underlying your decision to withhold each/any portion from public review.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Todd Feathers

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Florida Department of Health

Good afternoon,

The Florida Department of Health, Division of Disability Determinations does not have any records responsive to this request.

You may want to reach out to the Social Security Administration (Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) at Social Security (ssa.gov)<https://www.ssa.gov/foia/>) for further information.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Brian Garber
Director
Work: 850-617-4951 ext. 5010
Work Cell: 850-528-2136
Fax: 850-617-4932

Florida Department of Health
Division of Disability Determinations
2415 N. Monroe Street
Suite 1700
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Mission: To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.
****************************
Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state officials regarding state business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure.
Please note: All information transmitted electronically concerning Social Security clients is protected under the 1974 Privacy Act.

Customer Name: Todd Feathers
Email Address: requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>

Describe the Record(s) Requested: Pursuant to the Florida Sunshine Law, I request the following records regarding algorithmic tools used by your agency to guide decision making for the administration of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and/or supplemental state disability benefits:

For the purposes of this request, the term algorithmic tools refers to computer software or code that employs machine learning techniques (sometimes described as artificial intelligence or predictive analytics). It does not apply to other types of algorithms, such as Excel formulas.

My request applies to all algorithmic tools developed in-house by your agency, purchased for use by your agency, or otherwise used by your agency since Jan. 1, 2018 to help administer Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and/or supplemental state disability benefits. Such algorithmic tools include, but are not limited to, models for:

- Fraud detection
- Rate setting
- Benefit use prediction (e.g., models that predict for how long individuals will require benefits or what the total cost will be)
- Enrollment prediction (e.g., models that predict enrollment rates among the larger population)
- Case management (e.g., models that group similar cases together or determine caseloads for adjudicators)
- Investigations (e.g., models that prioritize complaints for investigation or flag claims for additional review)
- Advertising/outreach prioritization (e.g. models used to decide where or to which groups to advertise)

For each algorithmic tool your agency has used since Jan. 1, 2018, I request the following records:

1) Executive summaries, project overviews, or comparable records that describe the scope and purpose of the algorithmic tool.

2) Contracts, statements of work, successful RFP submissions and bid packets, or comparable records that describe the purchase and/or construction of the algorithmic tool.

3) User handbooks, guides, training manuals, agency policies, or comparable records that describe the tool's functions and its appropriate uses..

I ask that all fees be waived as I am a journalist and intend to use the requested records to publish articles in the public interest. In the event you choose to impose fees, I request a detailed breakdown of the fees, including the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of processing the request and an explanation justifying the employee hours required to complete the request.

Should you choose to reject this request or redact portions of it, I ask that you provide a detailed breakdown of the statutory exemptions and associated case law underlying your decision to withhold each/any portion from public review.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Thank you,

Kendra Washington
Public Records Manager

Florida Department of Health
Office of the General Counsel
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A-02
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Telephone: 850-617-1408
Fax: 850-245-4790
Email: Kendra.Washington@flhealth.gov<mailto:Kendra.Washington@flhealth.gov>

Mission: To protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, & community efforts.

Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state officials regarding state business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure.

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

Todd:

The Florida Department of Health, Division of Disability Determinations does not have any records responsive to this request.

You may want to reach out to the Social Security Administration (Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) at Social Security (ssa.gov) for further information.

Office of Communications
Florida Department of Health
850-245-4111