Let me tell what a Social Security Disability medical appointment is NOT!!
WARNING!!! WARNING!! WARNING!!! I’m going to get JIGGY in this post so if you’re sensitive and your feelings get hurt easily, STOP READING NOW!
Ok, so you’ve applied for Social Security Disability. You get a letter in the mail telling you that you have an appointment with a doctor that they have scheduled for you. After much waiting, you are fired up and ready go to this doctor. You’re going to let her or him know what the REAL deal is.
It’s important to know that Social Security is within its authority to schedule you for a doctor’s visit in order to determine the extent of your disability. These evaluations are important and provide valuable information for SSA.
However, before you go, I want to let you know a few things so you don’t fall and bump your head.
Here are some things that these doctors ARE NOT:
1) IT IS NOT TIME FOR YOU TO LOSE YOUR DAMN MIND!!!
WHY? WHY? WHY are you in the doctor’s office going off?? What the hell is wrong with you??? Why are you cussing out the receptionist? Why are you being rude to the nurses? Why are you being mean to the doctors? Listen, if you are just looking to get kicked out of the appointment, then you definitely are on the right track. Trust me when I tell you this. These appointments are usually only a ‘one time thing’ so go in and get it over with and keep moving. You are NOT doing yourself any favors by losing your mind. If you do this, two things may happen. ONE, they may not examine you. If they don’t, this evidence (or lack of evidence) will hurt your case. TWO, they may make a note in their record (trust me, I’ve seen them) and judges aren’t moved by people who are nasty (not a good credible move).
2) IT IS NOT an appointment for you to get treatment!
When SSA schedules you an appointment, they usually are scheduling you for something specific. The doctors know what SSA wants them to examine you. In other words, if it’s a breathing test. Then, that’s all you’re going to get. If it’s a back evaluation, then that’s all you’re going to get. Remember, these doctors ain’t trying to be your friend or your primary. They are not going to prescribe meds. They are not going to send another doctor for follow up. So go in, do what they say (to the best of your ability) and keep rolling.
3) IT IS NOT for you to tell them about every condition that you have under the sun!
OOOOOOOO, this happens SOOOOOO many times and I can’t tell you how this PROLOOOOOOONGS your case! Here me when I say this, when you start your case with SSA, TELL THEM EVERYTHING THEN!!!!! AT the beginning of process, SSA wants to know what your problems are so they can medically develop them as necessary. Don’t stroll into the appointment and have a ‘BY THE WAY’ moment! What is a ‘BY THE WAY’ moment? It’s, quite simply, this! “BY THE WAY, my back hurts, too”, “BY THE WAY, I’m depressed!”, “BY THE WAY, I got diabetes!”. Why do I say this? Well, if you forgot to tell SSA about these other conditions, NOW, they have to GO BACK and re-evaluate and redevelop those medical conditions. In other words, by you telling the doctors ALL of these things that you SHOULD have said in the beginning, you are now ADDING time to your case.
4) IT IS NOT for you to decide what they should or should NOT be testing or examining!
Listen, like I said before, SSA is sending you to an appointment because they need something specific. I ain’t trying to be funny but you’re not SSA so you are in NO position to tell the doctor what they should or should NOT be doing. They are given specific instructions regarding what they should cover. You don’t have to like it but you need to respect it.
5) IT IS NOT for you to decide to NOT go to the appointment (unless you have an emergency)!
IF YOU DON’T GO TO THE APPOINTMENT, YOU WILL BE DELAYING THE PROCESSING OF YOUR CASE!!!! I know ya’ll are tired of all of my yelling but I really get frustrated. LOL. I know that alot of people are just not familiar aspects of the SSA case so it’s my position to get you up to speed. However, I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve had people who just DECIDED that they were not going to go to their scheduled appointment. It amazes every time. These appointments are necessary and important so unless you’re in an emergency situation, you need to go.
I know I may have been harsh but its important for you to understand that these appointments are a necessary part of the SSA process. It may be frustrating because a lot of you may not have a full appreciation for every piece of the puzzle but understand that this piece will help you but it can also hurt you. Be smart.
PLEASE don’t act a fool at a Social Security Consultative Evaluation
Now, I know that sounds so simple. In your mind, you’re probably thinking “What does that have to do with anything?”. Well, as silly as it may sound, you may be completely surprised by the amount of people who truly “lose their mind” when it comes to these evaluations.
Usually, at some point of the social security process, the government is going to ask you to attend a consultative evaluation. These evaluations are usually with a physical or a mental doctor who will evaluate your situation and prepare a report which will be used as evidence in your disability case.
It’s amazing the amount of times that I’ve had to give this speech but I think it’s time that I share some things to any of you who find yourself being scheduled for a consultative evaluation:
1) If you don’t go, they use the fact that you didn’t go to deny you AND that information goes in your file.
Most people don’t realize that COMPLIANCE with going to appointment that SSA sets up for you and PAYS FOR is considered when evaluating your case. So don’t think that just because you decide to NOT show up that it won’t affect your case. Trust me. It will.
2) Don’t go thinking they are going to TREAT you like you are their patient.
Read my lips, “THEY ARE NOT YOUR DOCTOR!”. So many times, people think that these doctors are there to treat them like their own doctors. Don’t get me wrong. In some cases, you may establish a relationship with the doctor that might evolve into a doctor – patient relationship. Just remember, you are there to see them ONE time so don’t expect too much.
3) They are only focusing on what YOU said was wrong so don’t go in there ADDING a bunch of stuff you never said before.
Remember all of those posts that I wrote about being consistent on your forms? Well, be CONSISTENT in what you say to the doctors as well. These evaluations are not your time to start giving a laundry list of things that you have NEVER brought up before.
4) Get ready because the appointment will probably be short.
It’s amazing because people get really upset when they find themselves IN and OUT of an evaluation in 15 minutes. I always tell me to not expect too much when you go to these appointments.
5) You may only get one shot so BE on time, BE honest, and DON’T BE a jerk
Let me tell you RIGHT now, if you go in there and act a FOOL, they will tell you to leave and it WILL go in your file. If you lie, it WILL go in your file. If you’re rude, it WILL go in your file. So just remember that this is part of the process and roll with it.
6) Don’t be slick because if they SEE IT they will write it.
I once had a client who alleged that he had a back problem that required a cane and the moment he walked out of the appointment, he put the cane under his arm and walked to the car. Now, what do YOU think happened when the medical personnel from the doctor’s office saw him walking?
7) You don’t know what they are going to write so don’t think what they will tell you will be in the report.
On so many occasions, I have to remind people that they can’t rely SOLELY on what the doctor says. Just because they tell you that they think you should get disability, doesn’t mean that they will write it in the file.
Whatever happens there will be a part of the record.
If you are nasty, if you change your story, if they think you’re faking, if you showed up late, you NAME it, they will put it in the report.
I know it’s hard but I have to constantly remind people that YOU have the burden to approve your case. Don’t think that SSA is trying to help you with anything. It’s on YOU!
