Skip to main content

INNOCENT THINGS YOU SAY TO YOUR DOCTOR CAN GET BENEFITS DENIED

What's the most common response to a greeting, "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing fine," or "I'm all right."  We all say that.  And no one pays much attention, except Social Security when they review your medical records.

The doctor rushes into the little exam cubicle on the day of your appointment and casually says, "Hi, Mr. Patient, how ya doing?"  You reply, "Doin' just fine, Doctor."

Here's how I've seen innocent remarks that used in Social Security decisions:

"The claimant saw Dr. Peter Feelbetter on 5/3/23.  He told the doctor that he was doing fine.  He made no complaints of pain or difficulty with activities of daily living.  The doctor found normal respiration, normal  cardiovascular function and there was no sign of deformity to the spine. or joints. Reflexes are +2 in all extremities.  The claimant was able to get on and off the exam table without assistance. "

Let me say, you should be absolutely honest with our doctor.  I am not suggesting that you ever exaggerate symptoms or problems.  I am only suggesting that certain things you say to your doctor can be taken completely out of context.  And what you don't say can give the wrong impression.

When Mr. Patient said, "Doin' just fine, Doctor," it was not the same as saying, "I'm in perfect health, Doctor; I don't have any medical problems at all."  But that may be the way it gets interpreted (out of context).

So, what are we suggesting?  Be sure your doctor is aware of problems you are still having.  For example, "I'm still having a lot of back pain," or "I don't sleep well and I feel exhausted."  If true, you might tell your doctor, "I struggle to do my housework," or "I need a lot of help with things like shopping and driving."

While you never want to exaggerate, your doctor does need frank information about your pain levels or difficulty with doing daily activities.  In short, don't tell the doctor, "Hey, doc, I'm really doing just great," if that is not the case.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

RED FLAGS IN SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASES

  RED FLAGS IN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASE A red flag is something that causes concern or raises a problem in a Social Security disability case.   In short, it’s something that may get the claim denied or cause a big problem. Here are some of the red flags that we see crop up: ·          Work after the alleged onset date (AOD).   Since the process takes so long, many claimants feel that they are forced to return to work for income.   Social Security often sees this as a sign that the claimant is not disabled. ·          Severe substance abuse.   Chronic and frequent abuse of drugs or alcohol can pose problems. ·           A skimpy work record.   A claimant who has worked very little or has jumped from job to job frequently may not have good credibility. ·          Quitting wo...
Post a Comment
Read more

WHAT YOU WILL BE ASKED AT A DISABILITY HEARING

Most Social Security disability claims will be denied twice:  First at the end of the Application process, and again after the "Reconsideration" process.  The third stop will be a hearing before a federal Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). It is here at the hearing level that most SSDI claims are paid.  So, what do you need to know about your Social Security disability hearing?     First, the judge will follow the rules established by the Social Security Administration.  His or her job is to determine whether you meet the particular laws and rules to receive disability payments.  So, it is a legal proceeding where you must prove certain things in order to get paid. Among the things you must prove:  Your insured status with Social Security:  You have worked recently enough and paid into the Social Security trust fund to gain the required "work credits" to support your claim.  You have a severe medical or mental impairment supported by adequa...
Post a Comment
Read more

HOW TO COMPLETE A FUNCTION REPORT OR ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING FORM

After you apply for Social Security Disability (SSDI), you will be sent a FUNCTION REPORT to fill out and return.  This form asks a lot of very detailed questions about your daily activities:  driving, cooking, cleaning, dressing, visiting others, hobbies, etc. The Social Security Administration will use your answers to determine whether you can work or not.  You must show on this Function Report that you have limitations that do not permit you to work a full-time job.  You do this by showing your limitations in activities of daily living. Your goal in the Function Report is to show the struggles and challenges you have with everyday life.  It may not be sufficient to answer a question with "Yes" and fail to explain. For example:  "Can you drive?"  If you answer "Yes," Social Security will assume that your ability to drive is unlimited:  you can drive anytime, anywhere and as often or as far as you want.  That may not be true and would need t...
Post a Comment
Read more