You may know in your gut that you have a debilitating illness or injury that makes it impossible to maintain substantial employment activity. But even so, you must get confirmation from your treating physician. Their support may make a world of difference for your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits application. That said, read on to discover why you should visit the doctor before applying for SSDI benefits and how a seasoned New Jersey SSDI attorney at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur can help you put your best foot forward with your application.
Why must I visit my doctor before applying for SSDI benefits?
First of all, you must visit your doctor’s office to ask them to send your medical records to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Then, during your appointment with your treating physician, you can ask them to write a statement on your behalf. Generally speaking, this statement may cover the debilitating illness or injury they have diagnosed you with and its associated limitations that may keep you from working.
Importantly, your doctor’s word may not automatically guarantee your eligibility for SSDI benefits. That is, upon receiving your application, the SSA may order you to a separate consultative exam with an independent medical evaluator, who may be trusted to assess the scope of your disability. But ultimately, visiting your doctor’s office to obtain your medical records and a personal statement may do nothing less than help your SSDI benefits application.
Is it possible to be denied benefits if I fail to visit my doctor frequently?
Alongside the other medical evidence you supplement your SSDI benefits application with, you may provide a copy of your doctor’s prescribed treatment plan. This may entail a general outline of the medications you have been prescribed to take; the frequency of the physical therapy sessions you are supposed to attend; the surgical procedures you have scheduled in the coming months or years; and more.
Well, it is equally important that you supplement your application with proof that you have followed this treatment plan diligently thus far. Otherwise, you risk the chance of the SSA denying your claim outright for “treatment non-compliance.” This is because they may determine that if you abided by the treatment plan like you were supposed to, your illness or injury would not be in such a debilitating state. Therefore, you would have otherwise been able to maintain gainful employment activity.
There is far more to explain on this topic than this blog cannot even begin to cover. So for more information, please get in touch with a competent New Jersey SSDI attorney at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur. We look forward to collaborating with you.
