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Getting Dr's to complete Disability paperwork

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Posted 1/20/2019 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Darla, when you received your packet of forms from SSD they included several medical authorizations for the claimant to sign & return. These are used by SSD to obtain copies of medical records from the drs that are listed that treated you. This is the only thing the drs will receive from them. They do not send them any forms to be filled out or ask questions. It's a slow process gathering the medical information, usually takes a few months. A lot depends on how fast the drs office responds in sending the medical records back too.
Posted 1/20/2019 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Susie. I know what you are referring to and Mercy and Grace I think said the same. That is fine with me, if that is the case, but my the Rheums I see (a Dr and a PA who works with him) referred to something they get that they fill out. My understanding is that it is an RFC...a functional assessment the Dr fills out, though it might be something else. When I discussed this with the Dr he said the PA fills the forms out and she will call you if she has any questions. The PA said she did not know if the patient sends her the form or if SS sends them directly, they just appear in her inbox (likely from the Dr passing them along).

I am pretty sure the less the Drs need to do the better, but other than that I am not worried. I am curious...both of you are certain what the Drs need to do and my Drs suggested something different (or I misunderstood)...maybe this is different in different states?
Posted 1/20/2019 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
No, it does not matter what state a person lives in, the protocol is the same across the board. The medical records are reviewed & a determination is made. Keep in mind SSD can send a person for an independent evaluation too.

It is not uncommon to be denied the first time. Going through the appeal process & going before a judge is quite common. A lot of people will not appeal their denial for one reason or another. A lot of folks think they need to pay a lawyer upfront to handle their claim. That is absolutely incorrect. A lot lawyers that handle SSD claims take cases on a contingency basis, meaning if they win the claim, their fees come out of any past due benefits. If they lose nothing is owed to them by the claimant. SSD has a cap on what an atty can charge too. They have to provided a detailed account of time spent on the file too.

Since you have hired a group to handle your claim, it's better to contact them with questions rather than asking the drs. Basically drs do not know much about SSDI claims. The waiting is the worst.
Posted 1/20/2019 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
I think age makes a difference too. I applied at 61 years and would have retired at 62 for health reasons regardless of the decision. I filled out the paperwork online and electronically signed a release of my medical records. I put an approximate date that the disability started. I only got one phone call from SSD to clarify a few things. It was approved shortly thereafter and it said the actual disability start date was 6 months prior to what I said it was. I don't think my doctors were ever involved except for what was already documented in my medical records.

I truly wish Seashell would post something!
Posted 1/20/2019 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Susie and DadCue. DadCue, are you saying that SS actually gave you a start date prior to the date you said you were? Wow. I am guessing you had stopped working and that is what they used since the benefits can't be applied for to cover times you worked. Maybe you had been out sick or using leave for that time? Interesting! Glad it went smoothly for you...I hope I have a good tale to tell as well! The PM dr told me that my 'conditions and age' would be good points in my favor.

Susie, I am only asking Drs for what they see on their end since they do deal with a good number of people who end up filing for disability. It is interesting that I think you are saying there is nothing for the Drs to fill out, just sending the medical records. Sounds like you know. I just looked into this further (internet) and I think the SSD person fills out an RFC (Residual Functional Capacity) form for the claimant. But, how would they know without asking the medical person? They asked me, so they have my opinion. Again, interesting! I wonder if these secrets will be revealed to me one day, lol.

Susie, you are so right...I am not good at waiting. But, there is a gap from leaving work and it has been filled with catching up on things but also with the SSDI stuff. Applying kept me busy and now the sit and wait part. I will be disappointed if I am not approved no matter how many cautions I get but I will certainly go to the next round. The rep service has been good so far! Made the app easier to complete though still overwhelming.
Posted 1/20/2019 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
I worked in the legal field. When a client became disabled for whatever reason we handled their SSDI claim. We knew their history & already had their medical records on hand. I did all of the paperwork that went to SSD. It is really a cut & dried process filing for it. Each claim is different. There are no secrets with SSDI, lol.

My dr never told me I would get disability or what my odds may be, this was out of his realm. It would have been improper for him to tell me otherwise. His words were "you need to file for medical disability, I will provide any letter they need". They obtained his medical records of course, but I never saw the letter if there was one. There is no way for anyone to predict if a person will be awarded benefits.
Posted 1/20/2019 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Susie! I knew you KNEW what you were talking about!! Thanks for sharing that information. I appreciate it!
Posted 1/20/2019 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
I took sick leave for my knee replacements and was out 5 months because of doing them one after the other. The recovery process went reasonably well. I actually went back to work for about 1 month before deciding to call it quits. The reason for the decision had little to do with the knee replacements but they were a factor. Since I was a few months shy of being 62, I was advised by my employer to apply. I put the disability onset date as my last day of work.

When the lady called me about 5 months later she mostly wanted to clarify some dates. When I told her about the month I went back to work I think she said "failed work attempt". A month or so later, I got a letter with the disability onset date effective as of the date of my first knee replacement surgery. The whole process took about 6 months . By that time I was 62 and technically retired anyway. I think the payments for SSDI are slightly higher than what regular social security would have been at 62.
Posted 1/20/2019 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Dadcue that's a good story, really. The SS person looked to assist you fairly. That's good! The SSDI payment depends on what you have contributed over your working life. My payment (positive thinking) is going to be higher than my early retirement would be and I'm 3 years from that
Thanks for sharing!
Posted 1/21/2019 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
When the lady said "failed work attempt" I thought she meant that I had failed in my attempt implying that I should go back and try harder. I expected to get denied so I was pleasantly surprised when the letter came and said it was approved.

The couple other things to know is that you can still work and receive SSDI. I'm not sure what the rules are but after being approved you are allowed to earn a certain amount per month but you have to report it. Even if you exceed the allowed amount in any given month it is only counted as 1 strike. You are allowed something like 12 strikes before it is revoked. I think it raises red flags in the system and it may cause your case to be reviewed.

I continued to work occasionally when my employer called to see if I could. I had a hard time keeping track of what I was earning each month so it wasn't very often.
Posted 1/21/2019 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
It's a "return to work" program offered by SSD & there are a lot stipulations involved. Any one wanting wanting to participate has to very careful & understand the rules of the program, otherwise they will lose their benefits. This program applies to people that has been approved for disability.
Posted 1/21/2019 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
The RFC for doctors you are referring to. is a form many attorneys ask them to fill out. There is a RFC only the DDS adjudicator and ALJ fill out. They use the medical records and non medical evidence to fill out the form.

Early retirement is at a reduced rate for the,rest of the persons life. SSDI is higher than early retirement.

A claimants Established Onset Date is determined by medical records, non medical evidence and SSA laws. It can be before, after or the same as the Alleged Onset Date. Retroactive benefits for SSDI can only go back 17 months prior to filing. That includes the 5 month waiting period.
Posted 1/21/2019 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info. I am not going to return to work unless something changes drastically. Even if benefits are denied I do not think that would be the case or I would not have stopped. I already had reduced my working to just from home and not the full workload I had previously and it was just too much. I agonized about leaving work and knew SSDI would be a long process so I am looking ahead.

What a knowledgeable group! Mercy and Grace, that is interesting to know. I assumed the date I would be looking at for any benefits would be the date the application was entered as received at SS. I am so eager to hear something from them! Just to know how it is going, where they are at, etc. I know it does not work that way, just saying I would love to know.

Thanks for the info everybody!
Posted 1/21/2019 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Just so you know. If you make over $1,220 a,month before taxes in 2019. You are not considered disabled.

The rules for working are different after you are approved. The first 24 months after approval. They are stricter than afterwards.
Posted 1/21/2019 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Mercy&Grace, I have not worked in 2019 and don't see that happening but it is good to know! My last position was so stressful mentally and physically (aren't they all?) I just can't see going back unless I am desperate. I hope I won't be. Thank you!
Posted 2/6/2019 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
For those keeping score I was denied SSDI today. I will appeal and likely be denied and then tell it to the Judge. I am waiting for my actual letter with the info but the examiner thought I was not severe enough. My dr's said they had not been contacted so I am interested (very) to see what they based it on. They decided in a few weeks with no further info requested. Really?
Posted 2/6/2019 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Don't be discouraged. It's part of how they wean people out -- denial, appeal, second denial, appeal, then approved before a judge. That's how it worked for me. Plus they had me visit 2 of their Drs for reviews - one medical, one mental. Just keep doing the next thing!
Posted 2/6/2019 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
You can request a copy of the CD from your local SSA office. The CD should have everything the adjudicator used to make the decision. Doctors are not usually aware of medical records requests. Office staff deal with them.

Your state may or may not have Reconsideration. If they do not, you're next step will be a hearing. It can take 12-24 months to have a hearing scheduled. It is always best to have an attorney at this phase. Make sure the attorney specializes in Social Security Disability Law.
Posted 2/6/2019 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Lynnwood ♥️ thank you. That is encouraging. And thank you M &G. I appreciate the information! I appeal now to the same place and then the judge. Not giving up but frustrated. I don't think anyone gave me serious consideration but I'm not finished. Thank you!

Post Edited (Darla) : 2/6/2019 3:51:16 PM (GMT-7)

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