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Cost Effective Ways of Going Through the Social Security Disability Process

So, you’ve filed your application for disability benefits.  Now, you’re freaking out.   Why?  You’re asking yourself all kinds of questions:
How am I going to get treatment?
How can I pay for treatment?
How can I afford the medication?
How can I pay for the medical records?

Your mind is running a mile a minute.  You don’t know what to do.  You’ve never gone through this before.   You are still trying to figure out how you’re going to survive while you wait through this process.    Food, clothing and shelter are more of a priority than treatment, medication, and medical records.

Unfortunately, treatment, medication and medical records are what you need to prove your disability case.  But, how do you do that with no insurance?  You can’t afford the co-pay.  Out of pocket is almost impossible.  What can you do?

Before you start freaking out, take a breath first and step back.  For most people, the journey into the uninsured population is a new one but it can be navigated.  More importantly, if you are trying to prove you’re disabled while uninsured, you have a few cost effective options:

1. While your case is at the Local Office level, make sure you let SSA know the names of all of your doctors.

SSA typically gets all of your records when the case is pending at the local office level.  Let them know so they can get the records for you-for free.

 

2. SSA will only pay for a certain dollar amount so if they don’t have everything, be prepared to get it yourself.

When someone contacts a medical facility for records, the facility usually will charge for copying the records.  SSA normally puts a cap on the amount of money they spend for records.  Make sure you find out what SSA was able to get so you can get whatever they don’t have, instead of also paying for documents they already have.

 

3. The moment your case is turned over to the hearing office, review the file to find out what they have and don’t have.

A lot of time people have no clue what SSA has or has not been able to retrieve from their providers.  Make sure you look at the file as soon as the file is at the hearing level.

 

4. Start looking for a free clinic or low cost clinics.

The moment you no longer have insurance, you need to start looking for free clinics or low cost clinics in your county.  If you have them, use them.

 

5. After you’ve seen your doctor, immediately ask for a copy of your records.

In most situations, the clinic you attend will provide you a copy of your records if you ask. Whenever you have a visit, ask if you can get a copy of the records

 

6. Contact your county health department for treatment programs and services.

Most people don’t know where to begin to find resources to help them.  The health department is the best place to start.

 

7. Don’t be afraid to ask for free samples of medications.

Sometimes, doctors have the ability to provide free samples to you.  Don’t be afraid to ask.

 

8. Pace yourself and your money.

Remember, the process can take a while so try to do the best you can to make your money stretch over the entire process.   Make sure you stress to your doctors your financial situation.

 

9. Doing something looks better than doing nothing.

Most people don’t realize that, at some point, you will have to go before a judge.   If you don’t have treatment, the judge is going to ask why.  It’s better to tell the judge what you have done to try and get treatment as opposed to saying you haven’t done anything.

Remember, the process can take up to a year or longer.  Focus on your health and well being and use the resources available to the best of your ability

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