Don’t risk getting your disability claim denied! Discover how to speak with a disability doctor when applying for social security disability benefits.
Part of your Social Security Disability application process may include meeting with a disability doctor to obtain their professional opinion about your disability. Read on to find out more about what not to tell a disability doctor.
How to Speak With A Disability Doctor
After you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, you may need to have a particular medical examination or test before the Social Security Administration can decide whether you qualify. It’s your responsibility to take the exam or test and cooperate with the doctor examining you. However, there are certain things you may not want to tell a disability doctor. These things include:
1. Unrelated Personal Stories
You want to ensure you utilize the time with your disability doctor to focus on your medical disability issues. Do not stray from the facts of your disability and how the symptoms affect your daily life.
2. Non-Medical Information (Stick to the Facts)
The doctor will ask you if you need to provide any relevant non-medical information. Do not provide information such as “work was easy today” or “I walked nine miles on a hike this weekend” unless the disability doctor asked specifically. Please remember, you should always tell the truth.
3. Undocumented Medical History
You may want to refrain from telling your doctor about undocumented medical history information. This may confuse the Social Security Administration and make it seem that there are issues with your medical history with your ability to provide accurate information to your disability doctor.
4. You Didn’t Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
An element of obtaining disability benefits from the Social Security Administration is that you are following the doctor’s suggestions and orders for your disability. Make sure to follow your Doctor’s order. If a medication is not working and you decide on your own to stop taking it, SSA may hold that against you. You will want to work with your doctors on finding a better medication if that happens to you.
5. Exaggerations of Your Symptoms
You also do not want to exaggerate your symptoms if they do not exist. This means that if you cannot walk one mile, you do not wish to say that you can’t walk at all. Try to be as specific as possible.
6. Downplaying Your Symptoms
At the same time, you do not want to downplay your symptoms. Make sure you are honest with your disability doctor about your symptoms.
7. Your Diagnoses or Opinion
You do not need to provide your own self-diagnosis. Please remember you did not go to medical school, the whole point of the disability doctor appointment is that the disability doctor can evaluate you to obtain Social Security Disability.
8. Information on Previous Legal Disputes
You do not need to provide past information about your legal disability disputes. Do not waste valuable time with the disability doctor about things that do not concern them, like your previous attempts at applying for disability.
9. Complaints About Past Doctors
Do not seem argumentative over past medical doctors or disability doctors. It is not the time or the space to air your complaints about your past medical teams. Try to remember that this time with the disability doctor is very limited.
10. Your Financial Struggles
While it may be hard to have financial struggles while attending the disability doctor’s evaluation, it is not the time nor the place to air out your financial fights to the doctor. This will not help your claim.
Also Read: How To Increase Social Security Disability Payments (7 Ways)
What Does a Disability Doctor Look For?
The medical disability doctor will gather specific medical information on your symptoms – the consultation is not intended to treat you or to create an exhaustive medical treatment plan.
If the doctor needs to see it, however, you may be required to take an X-Ray, CT Scan, or other relevant medical tests for your condition.
What Happens After You See a Disability Doctor?
After you see a disability doctor, they will fill out an assessment report and send it to the Social Security Administration for further deliberation on your disability.
Don’t Risk Getting Your Benefits Denied. Call Evans Disability Today.
The Social Security Disability Attorneys at Evans Disability have years of combined knowledge and skills working with disability determination doctors to advocate on your behalf to obtain Social Security Disability. Call them today at (855) 360-1010 to get started with your disability claim.
Social Security Disability Doctor FAQ
What Is a Consultative Examination (CC)?
If the evidence provided by your medical sources is inadequate for the Social Security Administration to determine if you are disabled, additional medical information may be sought by re-contacting the treating source for further information or clarification or arranging a Consultative Examination.
Do I Have to See a Doctor to Keep SSDI?
If the Social Security Administration requests that you receive an evaluation by a specific disability doctor, then yes, you have to see a doctor to keep your SSDI benefits.
Can My Doctor Put Me on Disability?
The doctor (or other medical professional) who sees you will only conduct the exam or test and get specific information requested by the state agency. The doctor will not decide whether you have a disability and will not prescribe treatment or medication for you. The doctor will send a report of the exam or test to the state agency.
Can a Doctor Refuse to Fill Out Disability Forms?
Yes, a doctor can refuse to fill out your disability forms. They may refuse to fill out your disability forms if they do not feel you are disabled, they have an office-wide policy not to fill out disability forms, or for other reasons.
