10Nov

Should I talk to my doctor before applying for Social Security disability benefits?

By Tomasz Stasiuk, November 10th, 2009 | Building a Case | 7 Comments

If you have a long-standing history with your doctor, it is often a good idea to speak with your doctor early on during the Social Security disability application process.

Here are some things you should discuss:

Let your doctor know that you are applying for Social Security disability benefits.
Ask your doctor if he or she feels that you are disabled? Does your doctor think you would be able to do some type of full-time work?
Is the doctor willing to write a statement to Social Security, or fill out a form from your lawyer, about your limitations?
Even if not, ask your doctor would be willing to help out in some other way. The doctor may have a suggestion that might help your case.

Keep in mind that depending on your age you may not need to prove that you cannot perform any kind of work to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. That can definitely work to your advantage! Even if your doctor thinks you can still do some type of work, or part time work, it may be worthwhile to get a supporting statement from the doctor.

However, it all depends on which age group you fall into. Your lawyer can help you figure that out.

Sometimes however, your doctor may tell you:

I do not believe in Social Security disability.

I don’t think anyone is disabled.

You look fine to me.

Even if you don’t get the answer you want to hear when you talk to your doctor, it is still valuable to know if your doctor does not believe in you or your disability. If you get one of these answers, it may be time to find a new doctor.

But, you will not know if your doctor will support you, or not, unless you have this discussion. So, get to it and start talking!

Tomasz Stasiuk is the founding attorney of the Stasiuk Firm - a law firm devoted to exclusively handling Social Security disability cases in Colorado. Contingent fees available.

http://www.twwlawfirm.com/ Josh

should i try to find a new doctor if he doesn't give me the answer i'm looking for? i'm relatively young and i'm afraid my doctor won't feel i'm disabled… thanks for the article.
http://www.ColoradoSocialSecurityLaw.com TomaszStasiuk

I don't advocate shopping for a particular opinion. I just think it is a good idea to have the conversation with one's doctor to know if the doctor is going to be supportive or not.
http://www.twwlawfirm.com/ Josh

thanks Tomas… long story short, i asked because i had a friend whose doctor wasn't supportive because the mri's weren't conclusive, but he got a second opinion, a new mri (i think a standing mri) and it revealed other issues. but, that was mostly medical issues and opinions, not necessarily opinions about disability. thanks, again!
http://www.twwlawfirm.com/ Josh

thanks Tomas… long story short, i asked because i had a friend whose doctor wasn't supportive because the mri's weren't conclusive, but he got a second opinion, a new mri (i think a standing mri) and it revealed other issues. but, that was mostly medical issues and opinions, not necessarily opinions about disability. thanks, again!
http://www.winyourdisabilityclaim.com/ SS Disability

This is such an excellent blog! I wish I would have stumbled upon it way before now!

Deciding to apply for a SS Disability can be a tough one, and I think one of the things the potential claimant needs to know is whether or not their doctor is going to support them in their claim. The Social Security Laws generally require the SS Disability Judge hearing your case to adopt your primary care physician's opinion on your disability. Therefore, it is important to know if your doctor is going to back you up in your claim for SS Disability. Writing a letter on your behalf and filling out forms as to your residual functional capacity are critical steps in winning a SS Disability claim.

If you can no longer work, and your doctor is not backing you up in your claim for SS Disability, then I would definately seek out another doctor to at least get a second opinion (if not to transfer your care).
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Great! it is still valuable to know if your doctor does not believe in you or your disability.