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.
