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

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

MISTAKES THAT RUIN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPLICATION

MISTAKES THAT RUIN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPLICATION  The paperwork for Social Security disability is daunting:  page after page of never-ending questions.  But, since most applications will be denied, it behooves you to complete the application correctly.  Here are some mistakes on your Social Security disability application that may ruin your claim.   Failing to Fill Out the Forms —The Social Security Administration (SSA) will send you a lot of forms to fill out. It’s up to you to make sure that you fill out every part of those forms correctly.  Don’t forget: if a question doesn’t apply to you, put “not applicable” or “N/A” in the provided space.   Do not leave anything blank. Return all forms within 10 days. If you don't your application may be discarded or withdrawn. Writing Illegibly —If your case reviewer can’t read your answers, then he/she can’t really say that you answered that question. Be sure the  answers to questions are nea...
Post a Comment
Read more

WHAT TYPE OF DENIALS DOES SOCIAL SECURITY ISSUE?

In Social Security disability, the most common denials are medical denials.  This means that Social Security doesn't believe the medical evidence in your case meets the exacting standards for an award of disability.  There are technically two kinds of medical denials: 1.  You are able to perform some of your past relevant work.  They have looked at your work history for the past 15 years and judged that your medical conditions permit you to perform one or more of your past jobs.  This is what we call a "Step 4 denial." 2.  You are not able to perform any of your past work - but there is other work in the national economy that you are able to do.  This is called a "Step 5 denial" because it occurs at the 5th and final "step" in the decision making process. There are other types of denials, not nearly as common as the two above.  We sometimes think of these as "automatic" denials or "technical denials."  They are not medical decisions...
Post a Comment
Read more