DOCTOR, HELP ME!





Sadly, more and more doctors refuse to help claimants with their Social Security disability claim.  The reason is usually that doctors fear getting involved in the process, probably because they misunderstand the process or they fear the misconstrued time commitment involved.

Actually, the process is simple and not time consuming.  Your doctor completes a brief form (mostly consisting of check marks) - you get your benefits with income and Medicare to pay past and future medical bills.  It's a win-win for the claimant and the doctor.

Many doctors mistakenly feel that when they complete the form they are "signing up" their patient for disability benefits and they are reluctant to make the commitment. Doctors are actually providing only one piece of medical evidence that will be considered. Social Security can accept or reject the doctor's opinion at their discretion, along with all other medical evidence they receive.  Doctors cannot "sign up" patients for disability benefits under the law.

Also a doctor will never be required to appear or give further testimony in the claim.  So there is no risk of a greater time involvement.  I've never known a doctor to receive a subpoena required him to attend a hearing.  It just isn't done.

Unless the doctor provided willfully false or misleading information, there is also no risk of legal liability on his/her part.  He/she is giving only a professional opinion.

The final reason that doctors may not help with your Social Security or disability claim is that they see it as something other than a medical problem.  Some doctors feel that they are in business to practice medicine and that's all. Get the patient in, write the prescription, and get on to the next patient. Your disability problem is not a medical problem, as they see it.  It is, of course, a medically related problem and requires medical evidence to adjudicate.  Your doctor knows your medical history better than anyone else and is uniquely qualified to give an opinion.  It can hurt when a doctor refuses to do so.

THE FORSYTHE FIRM
 Social Security Disability Specialists
7027 Old Madison Pike NW
Huntsville AL 35806
(256) 799-0297 or (256) 431-1599

Contact the Forsythe Firm 






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