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There are several questions you could ask your doctor when you are applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. Four particular questions will help you determine whether you have grounds for pursuing a claim. Your doctor’s answers to your questions may also serve as documentation you can use in your application for SSD benefits.
One question to ask is whether your doctor believes you are unable to work a full-time job because of your health conditions. Being deemed disabled by a qualified medical professional is generally the first step towards obtaining disability benefits. You may have many more questions, and a Rutherfordton social security disability lawyer from our team can answer them. We can also lead your application for benefits and any related appeals you need to pursue.
What to Expect at Your Disability Exam
During the application process for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may require you to undergo a physical examination with a disability doctor. The purpose of this exam is solely to determine whether you meet the SSA’s definition of “disabled”—not to offer treatment.
While the disability doctor will not be the final decision maker in your case, their opinion can affect whether the SSA approves or denies your application.
During this exam, you can expect the doctor to:
- Ask questions about your disability and how it affects your daily life
- Perform a mental and/or physical examination (depending on the nature of your disability)
- Request any necessary additional tests, such as x-rays
- Send a report about your exam to the state agency representing the SSA
This appointment is also a great opportunity for you to ask questions about your disability and your qualification for benefits. You may also want to ask questions of your treating doctors.
Ask Your Doctor These Four Questions
Asking pointed, thoughtful questions is particularly important when speaking with any medical provider about a disability that may entitle you to SSD benefits.
You must always promote your claim’s success, and you can do that by asking your doctor the following four questions:
1. Do You Believe I Am Disabled (or Able to Work in Any Capacity)?
The SSA will evaluate your eligibility for SSD benefits based on your ability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). “SGA” refers to your ability to earn more than the monetary threshold established by the SSA, and the evaluation involved a determination as to whether you can work on a full-time basis.
2. Do You Believe My Disability Is Temporary or Permanent?
In general, you must be unable to work for at least one year to qualify for SSD benefits. Therefore, it is worth asking your medical provider whether they believe your disability is permanent or temporary, and if temporary, how long they expect it to last.
3. How Can I Document My Disability?
Per the SSA, you will need “detailed information about your medical illnesses, injuries or conditions” to apply for SSD benefits. The same medical provider who evaluates and treats you may provide this documentation, which could include:
- Medical images of injuries (or symptoms of illness)
- Their detailed diagnoses of your medical condition(s)
- Notes and bills detailing the medical treatments you’ve received
- Any other medical records or documentation that provides insight into your health condition
Our attorneys frequently work with medical professionals to document our clients’ disabilities. We will assist in this way during your claims process.
4. Can You Provide a Comprehensive Treatment Plan?
You will want to protect yourself from any potential challenge to your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim. One way to do so is to follow your doctor’s treatment advice—which you can only do if you know what that advice is.
Even if your doctor proactively provides treatment advice, you might ask them whether there is anything else you can do to promote recovery (to the extent that recovery is possible for you).
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A Social Security Disability Attorney Will Pursue Fair Benefits for You
Treating doctors play a critical role in the SSD claims process, but the role of your SSD benefits lawyer can be just as monumental. Your attorney may:
- Encourage you to obtain treatment from a medical professional qualified to diagnose disabling conditions, if you have not yet seen one
- Ensure you are prepared for any meetings with disability doctors or your treating doctor (including being ready to ask the right questions)
- Gather all relevant documentation of your disabilities
- File your disability claim(s)
- Demand fair compensation from the SSA
- Lead any appeals you need to file
The process of receiving fair benefits for a disabling health condition is anything but simple. Considering that you’re already struggling with your health, you do not need to face the stress that comes with an SSD benefits claim alone.
Allow our legal team to fight for you by using our substantial experience and resources to advance your claim.
Understanding the True Value of an SSD Benefits Attorney
When you choose to work with a North Carolina SSD benefits lawyer from our team, you get the benefit of:
- Our lawyers’ many years of experience dealing with the SSA
- Our firm’s financial support for your claim
- Our extensive network, which includes medical professionals and other experts
- The protection and advice your attorney provides you (both of which are priceless for those in circumstances like yours)
You deserve to have an experienced legal team fighting for the benefits you deserve. That’s what our firm offers.
What Losses SSD Benefits May Cover
Rather than covering specific losses, SSD benefits come in the form of fixed monthly payments. These payments often help the recipient with:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- The financial burden of lost income
- The cost of mental health services, as being disabled can be immensely distressing
- Other economic and non-economic burdens that often result from, and coincide with, disabling health conditions
Receiving benefits through SSDI or SSI can be a game-changer for:
- Your financial security
- Your peace of mind
- Your quality of life
- The quality of life of those who depend on you
You don’t have to pursue these critical benefits on your own. Allow an experienced disability attorney from our firm to provide answers to your questions, guidance, and valuable legal services.
Call Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC Today for Your Consultation About Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney
Asking your disability doctor the right questions is just one of many steps in a successful SSD benefits claim. While you may be the only one in the room with your doctor, we can handle every other step for you, including gathering medical documentation of your medical condition(s).
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC has recovered over $100 million for injury and disability clients. Our attorneys are intently focused on their practice areas, so trust that your North Carolina SSD attorney will have the experience you seek. Call Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC today for your no-risk consultation.
