Posts under ‘Doctors, Records, & Medical Treatment’

One of my colleagues in the fight to help disabled individuals get their Social Security disability benefits, attorney Johnathon Ginsberg, tackles whether you have to submit unfavorable medical evidence to Social Security.
I see this frequently in cases where there was a workers’ compensation case. “Company doctors” often minimize symptoms and generate records indicating that [...]

Let’s say you are reviewing your Social Security exhibit file before your disability hearing and you discover that some of your doctor’s (or other records) are not there. I have mentioned before that it is not unusual for the medical records in a Social Security file to be a year or more out of date.
What [...]

The American College of Rheumatology has a great overview of what a rheumatologist is and when you should consider seeing one.
A rheumatologist is an internist or pediatrician who is qualified by additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles and bones. Many rheumatologists conduct research [...]

It can be very difficult to win Social Security disability benefits based on fibromyalgia. However,  it can be done!
While Social Security no longer considers fibromyalgia as a “imaginary” condition, or a “junk” diagnosis, you still need to make sure the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is backed up by medical findings.
I have reviewed many medical records which [...]

 
I am often asked whether seeing a specialist will help in a Social Security disability case.
Do I need to see a specialist? I have my own doctor. What else can a specialist tell me about my case? How can they help?
I have seen numerous cases where Social Security has downplayed the opinion of a treating [...]

eNewsMediaMagazine has some tips on building a strong Social Security disabilty claim:
Tip #1: Choose the right doctor(s).
Regardless of your specific disability, you will need medical documentation. The only way to do this is to visit at least one physician. Ideally, that would be an experienced, respected doctor in the field of your disability. The more [...]

The answer to this is “yes,” and “no.”
When Social Security requests medical records from a treatment provider (doctor, hospital, walk-in clinic, physical therapist, chiropractor, etc.), and they put a cap on how much they are going to pay for those records.
Unfortunately, they do not put any cap on how much the medical records provider can charge [...]

Here are some common questions I hear when Social Security schedules an evaluation or examination with one of their doctors:
Do I have to attend the consultative examination?
Since you are applying for Social Security benefits, you have a duty to assist Social Security in obtaining the information it needs to evaluate your case. This includes [...]

Has Social Security sent you to a doctor for an examination? Here are some things you should know when going to a consultative examination. 
The examination begins earlier than you think:

You are observed from the moment you enter the office. 
The observation continues in the waiting area and you may even be observed when you walk back to your car. 
The [...]

If you request medical records from a doctor or hospital in Colorado, the maximum you can be charged is set by 6 C.C.R 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 5.2.3.4. In 2008, the maximum price for medical records is “not to exceed $16.50 for the first ten or fewer pages, $.75 per page for pages 11-40, and $.50 per [...]

ALISON (Automated Licensure Information System Online), is the online licensing database for the state of Colorado. I previously wrote about how this site is a great resource for finding an address for your doctor.
This site also has another use. If your doctor has been suspended, this will show up Alison.

When you apply for Social Security benefits, you will need to provide the name and address of each doctor you have seen for the last several years.
You may have this information for your current doctors, but finding the addresses for your older doctors may be trickier.
How do I find your doctor’s address if she has [...]

The State of Colorado has allowed medical records copiers to increase the prices they charge to provide your medical records.
Medical records are one of the foundations of a Social Security case. The main way you establish the existence and severity of a medical condition is through medical records. ALL attorneys whose practice revolves around [...]

Whether you are working with a lawyer or are trying to get Social Security disability / Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits on your own, you will probably be reading medical records at some point.
Here is a quick primer on how a large portion of medical records are set-up.
Most of the medical records I see from [...]

You already know how important it is to get a Medical Source Statement in your Social Security disability case.
The best source for this is your own doctor.
However, I typically see Social Security have one of their technicians or a Social Security doctor, who has never seen or examined you, determine your limitations.
When I discuss this with my [...]