article The New SOAR Functional Assessment Statement (FAST) Medical Summary Report (MSR)

The New SOAR Functional Assessment Statement (FAST) Medical Summary Report (MSR)

In 2025, we developed a revised SOAR MSR with a renewed focus on a Functional Assessment Statement (FAST) and providing the information that Disability Determination Services (DDS) examiners need to make their decisions. This FAST MSR provides a comprehensive and complete picture of how the applicant meets disability criteria, summarizing information from medical records, interviews with the applicant, and collateral source statements. 

The FAST MSR is a letter that describes the individual and their limitations in functioning. It supports the medical records submitted and provides a clear link between an applicant’s illnesses, conditions, and functional limitations. In many states, it takes the place of the SSA-3373 Function Report. The FAST MSR is medical evidence when co-signed by an Acceptable Medical Source. It is sent directly to the DDS examiner and answers the question: “Can the person work and earn at a substantial gainful activity (SGA) level?”

FAST MSR Development Process

The SOAR MSR has a 20-year proven track record of effectiveness. Statistical analysis of SOAR outcomes has shown that submitting an MSR in support of an application results in a higher likelihood of approval. Staff at PRA have since completed years of research and information gathering from expert SOAR practitioners, seasoned Disability Examiners, peer support providers, attorneys, and people with lived expertise of the disability application process. Based on the feedback gathered, internal reviews, and external focus groups, we developed and tested the streamlined FAST MSR.  

The template is intended as a guide and structure for what information and detail to include. In terms of instruction, it expands upon what was included in the original MSR template and encourages the writer to use headings and bolding to organize the information in a more helpful, easy-to-find way.

The FAST MSR enhances evidence presentation, accelerates efficiency, saves time, and increases approval rates. 

Components of the FAST MSR

•  Introduction
•  Occupational History
•  Physical Health Treatment
•  Mental Health Treatment
•  Substance Use and Materiality
•  Functional Information 
•  Summary

Introduction

• Introduce the writer and applicant
• Bold all physical and mental health conditions
• State when the applicant was last able to work

 Occupational History

• Provide employment history 5 years before the onset of disability
• Bold the last date of work and the last date at SGA
• Describe their impairments at work and capability levels

 Physical Health Treatment

• List all physical diagnoses
• Organize the information by treatment provider
• Focus on the SSA Listing criteria
• Bold key information, documentation of symptoms, and test results

 Mental Health Treatment

• List all mental health diagnoses
• Organize the information by treatment provider
• Focus on the SSA Listing criteria
• Bold documentation of symptoms that align with the listing criteria

 Substance Use and Materiality

• If applicable, list their substance use diagnoses
• Organize the information by treatment provider
• Focus on materiality
• Bold documentation of symptoms and evidence of nonuse

 Functional Information

• Bold subheadings for all four areas of mental functioning
• Provide 1-2 detailed paragraphs for each area
• Use specific examples
• Bold strong examples of impairments

  Summary

• Keep it concise
• Use the language in the template
• Bold all physical and mental health conditions
• Include signature lines for the writer and Acceptable Medical Source