TIPS ON CHOOSING YOUR TREATING DOCTOR

WHY IS YOUR TREATING DOCTOR SO IMPORTANT?

Your treating doctor plays a central role in your disability claim. The SSA gives great weight to opinions from doctors who treat you regularly. This doctor sees you over a long period of time and understands your symptoms, limitations, and response to treatment. That insight helps explain how your condition affects daily function and your ability to work. Clear medical opinions coupled with progress notes are the key to proving you cannot work.

In order to win SSDI and SSI benefits, you must prove that your disability prevents you from working for 12 months in a row or longer. While you are waiting for the SSA to award benefits, you should not be working at any job. Part time work or unsuccessful work attempts are only seen by the SSA as proving that you can work, not that you can’t.

Many people call our office and state they believe they can earn up to $1690 a month while they await an award of benefits. However, if you earn that much per month from working, then the SSA judge will simply believe you can work one more hour a month. Once you go over $1690 you no longer qualify to even apply for the benefit. So, don’t misread the law. Instead, ask yourself this question:  why a judge would award you disability benefits, which are based on the fact that you cannot work, when you are actually working?

You should only file an application for disability benefits if you cannot work and you have the support of your treating physician. The strong support of your treating doctor is often what separates approved claims from denied ones.

WHAT IS A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR?

A primary care physician (PCP) oversees your general health and medical treatment. This doctor often becomes your first point of contact for symptoms. Primary care doctors manage chronic conditions and monitor your overall health. Their records often span several years. Additionally their records will show if they referred you to an expert for your medical symptoms and if you followed their advice.

A long term relationship with your primary care doctor creates a comprehensive medical history. The doctor tracks how different conditions interact and worsen. These observations help explain complex disability claims that involve multiple medical conditions. The SSA values this medical perspective. They want to make sure that the medical record supports the opinion of your treating doctor.

Primary care doctors also refer you to experts when needed. These referrals confirm your symptoms and justify testing. Referral records show appropriate medical care. So, make sure you follow through and see the expert or, for example, a surgeon if your PCP says to do so. Your actions strengthen the overall medical evidence that you submit to the SSA.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TREATING DOCTOR?

Choosing a primary care doctor is often a matter of personality. Both yours and that of the doctor. You should choose a doctor that you get along with. However, you should also choose a doctor who listens to what you have to say and documents your visits thoroughly. Detailed notes can help explain how your symptoms affect daily life and your ability to work. A doctor who rushes appointments may overlook important symptoms.

Accessibility to your doctor also matters. Regular visits to the doctor will help create consistent treatment records. Missed appointments, however, create gaps that weaken the credibility of your disability claim. If your doctor has an office that is located near you, then it will encourage you to visit. It will also help you comply with treatment.

If you are a veteran, then you may already be getting treatment through the VA. You may get excellent treatment. However, you may see a number of different doctors. Do your best to build a relationship with one doctor. If you cannot see the same doctor, then consider getting treatment outside of the VA system. Learn how to get treatment from our Benefit Guide for Veterans.

When you find a doctor, make sure they take the time to review your medical records. Additionally, ask if they are willing to write a letter or complete forms for you. Obviously, the doctor is going to say no if you state  you are only visiting the doctor is to prove disability. However, some doctors recognize how your medical conditions will affect your work capacity. It is a good idea to ask up front if they are willing to support your disability claim.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A TREATING EXPERT?

You often do not get to choose a doctor who is an expert in their field. Instead, your primary doctor refers you to the expert. For example, you may see your main doctor because you have back pain. But, when your primary doctor believes you need surgery, then she will send you to a surgeon. Surgeons are experts in what they do.

A treating expert focuses on one condition and understands it in depth. This doctor knows what to look for and how symptoms usually present. That experience matters when conditions become complicated or severe. The SSA gives strong consideration to the opinion of a medical expert. For example, a treating surgeon will want your back surgery to solve your pain and heal your back. If it doesn’t work, however, then they are usually willing to say that the surgery failed.

When you are seeking a surgeon or an expert, remember that communication matters. You need an expert who will listen and give you clear explanations as to your treatment and the outcome of treatment. The SSA reviews your records and looks for practical details, not medical jargon. Well written expert opinions can support your disability claim.

DO ONE TIME DOCTOR EXAMS HELP YOUR DISABILITY CASE?

One time doctor exams rarely tell the full story of your medical condition. However, these exams usually happen at the SSA’s request. If the SSA decides to send you to one of their doctors, then the medical exam is free to you. You must attend the exam. If you don’t, then the SSA will deny your claim for failure to cooperate. The doctor they hire is supposed to be objective. It is best if you bring medical records from your treating doctor to the exam. The SSA doctor meets you and prepares a report based upon the exam.

On a mental exam, you visit the psychologist. The psychologist will interview you to see if you suffer from  anxiety, PTSD, or any another mental condition. Find out  about SSD benefits for depression. Anxiety can also qualify you for SSD benefits. Likewise, information about PTSD is also available.

You should use the SSA doctor visit as an opportunity to explain your mental problems. However, the SSA places more value on doctors who treat you over time. Long term care shows how your symptoms persist despite treatment. You still attend required exams when scheduled. Cooperation matters for your claim. These exams add context but remain limited. Treating doctors information is the most important.

HOW TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR TREATING DOCTOR

A strong relationship with your doctor begins with honest communication. Make sure you describe symptoms clearly when you visit the doctor. If you go to the doctor and tell them you are fine, when you are not, then the doctor will not be able to treat your symptoms.

Accurate reporting helps doctors document your symptoms and treat them. It can be nerve racking to visit the doctor, because there usually isn’t enough time to talk about everything. Therefore, it helps to write down a list of your problems and take it with you to the appointment. That way you won’t forget anything. For example, you may have diabetes type II and you tell your doctor about the neuropathy in your feet. But, you fail to tell your treating doctor about the numbness in your hands.

Also, another problem occurs when you visit the doctor and focus on only one aspect of their health.  For example, you may tell the doctor you have back pain, but you never to talk about your knee or ankle pain. Don’t do that. Make sure you talk about all of your symptoms.

You should also explain how your symptoms affect your daily life. Doctors focus on treatment, but they also need to know how you are responding to treatment. Following your treatment plans also matters. Your compliance with your treatment plan shows commitment to your care. The SSA looks at your records to see if you are trying to get better. Active participation in your treatment supports the opinion of your treating doctor.

WHAT MEDICAL EVIDENCE DO YOU NEED TO SUBMIT TO THE SSA?

The SSA looks for complete and consistent medical records from your treating doctor. These records include treatment notes, imaging, and testing results. The evidence must show how severe your condition is and how long it will last. Therefore, submit all of your medical records.

With the advent of the internet, most hospitals and insurance groups now offer patients a “portal.” That portal contains a copy of your medical records. It will also contain a copy of your surgeries, MRIs, CT scans, or other tests. If you have a procedure at a clinic, then the records are in your portal. Additionally, you can communicate with your doctor in the portal. The portal is secure. You have the right to access your portal, download your records, and share those records with your attorney. Do it.

Mental health evidence also plays a major role in your case. Therapy notes show your ongoing symptoms and discuss your  treatment. Medication records also demonstrate your effort to treat your disease. It is important to document all of your mental limitations. Ask your therapist to submit your records to the SSA. Do not worry that the progress notes may contain personal information. All records do.

HIRE AN EXPERIENCED SSD LAW FIRM TO WIN YOUR SSD CLAIM

We will use our legal skills to help you through the Social Security benefits process. It is our goal to win your case and to make it easier for you. We offer a free review of your case. And, there is no pressure to become a client. You can simply ask questions. We will try to help you, even if you don’t become our client.

It also doesn’t cost you money upfront to hire us. Why? Because we are only paid if we win your benefits. If we do not win, then you do not pay an attorney fee. But, how much is the fee? The fee is 25% of your back benefit. However, the fee is capped by the SSA. You pay whatever amount is less and 25% of your back benefit is usually less than the cap on fees. Learn about attorney fees in disability cases.

If there are costs in your case, then you pay for those costs. Costs are minimal. They are usually less than $100. Typically, the only cost you will pay for is a copy of your medical records. And, we only charge you what the doctor charges us. You will owe costs whether we win or lose. In order to hire most lawyers, you have to pay an upfront fee. We don’t work like that. You don’t have a job. So how can we expect you to pay? We can’t. That is why you only pay if you win benefits. Contact us today.

HIRE US TO HELP YOU WIN BENEFITS

Our SSD law firm focuses on disability claims every day. We work closely with your treating doctor to build strong evidence. We help present limitations clearly and consistently. Our approach keeps your story front and center. Preparation strengthens your claim. We want to be your Social Security legal team.

If you need help winning your SSD benefits, then you have found the right law firm. You can learn about the attorneys and staff at our SSD law firm on our About Us page. For example, you may want to know that Dianna Cannon has been helping her clients win Social Security benefits for over thirty years. Additionally, Brett Bunkall and Andria Summers have also won thousands of SSDI and SSI cases. Together, over the past 35 years, we have won over 20,000 SSDI and SSI cases for our clients. Our experts can help you file for SSD benefits using the SSA’s website.

Our SSD law firm stands ready to help. We fight for the benefits you need. Contact our firm to move forward with confidence. And don’t forget to choose the best treating doctor you can find to help you win your case.