Posts Tagged ‘Doctors | Medical Treatment | Records’

This is one of the most difficult issues in a Social Security disability case.  You might look “normal,” but you know that there is no way that you can work. 
If you tell someone that you are applying for Social Security, they may raise their eyebrows in surprise, or even tell you, “you don’t look disabled.”
When [...]

San Francisco disability attorney Geri Kahn wrote about her experiences with providing records to Social Security:
Before filing a new initial claim I always order the records and then submit them directly to the Social Security field office immediately after I have filed the claim electronically.  I recently was at an interview in one of the [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

As a general rule, if you are applying for Social Security disability benefits or appealing a Social Security denial, Social Security will penalize you for noncompliance with your doctor’s instructions. That means Social Security may deny your disability claim if you do not do what your doctors tell you.
But there are exceptions!!! Social Security [...]

Your doctor’s opinion of your disability is critical evidence in your Social Security disability case. If your doctor does not believe in you, you and your lawyer are facing an uphill battle.
Chances are, Social Security either sent you to one of their doctors for a consultative examination, or had your medical records reviewed by a [...]

In Colorado the cost of medical records are based on the number of pages you get. This means getting your records can quickly get expensive. But, you do not have to request every single scrap of paper, phone message, or referral that was ever generated by your doctor’s office. If you want to, you [...]

It is vital to get regular medical treatment when you are appling for Social Security disability benefits. I have even seen Judges roll their eyes when a claimant says there are no doctors they can see.
But, I don’t have insurance and I can’t afford to see a doctor on a regular basis. What am I supposed [...]

I hear a number of reasons for not seeing a doctor on a regular basis: 
I don’t like going to the doctor.
I prefer herbal medicine.
I have a high threshold for pain.
When I hurt I just stay in bed.
This is unfortunate because regular and ongoing treatment is one of the foundations of building a Social Security case.
Why? [...]