How to deal with limited medical resources when applying for Social Security Disability
One of the toughest parts of Social Security Disability is the fact that when you apply, YOU have the burden of proving that you are disabled. The unfortunate part of the process is that most people who are applying don’t have the medical insurance in order to prove their case. As a result, these people are stuck in the position of trying to figure out HOW they are going to prove that they are unable to work.
I always hate being asked the question “How can I prove I’m disabled if I don’t have medical insurance?”. My usual answer is “do the best you can!”. This answer doesn’t provide much comfort but it is the unfortunate situation that most people find themselves in when they are applying for disability benefits.
However, here are a few things that you may want to think about when you are trying to get treatment:
1) Free Clinics. Contrary to popular, a lot of areas have free clinics to provide treatment to those who are underinsured or have no insurance.
2) Health Department. At the end of the day, the best place to start is the health department. Some counties provide limited health insurance to individuals and these programs are typically run by the health department.
3) University Medical Schools. Interestingly enough, alot of medical schools have special programs which enable them to provide treatment to the poor.
4) Community Health programs. Sometimes, non profit organization may provide limited health services and benefits to those with low income.
Most people don’t appreciate it when I say “Some treatment is better than no treatment. Get what you can.”. The simple fact is that most people don’t have the financial means to obtain the medical treatment they desire or require. As such, I encourage people to do whatever they can to obtain the medical treatment they need in order to prove their case.
