Social Security Disability Medical Records

Your medical records play a critical role in any Social Security disability determination. Unfortunately, the presentation of medical records isn’t always clear and straightforward. If you’ve been struggling with a medical condition for some time, your medical records may run to hundreds or even thousands of pages, and physicians responding to requests from the Social Security Administration (SSA) don’t always know exactly what to include or how those records should be organized.
As a result, the decision-maker is often presented with a mass of information in no particular order. Yet, important information may be lacking.

Presenting Medical Records Clearly and Effectively

We know that assembling clear and complete medical records can be daunting for you, and even for your treating physicians. Our experienced Social Security disability advocates can help bring order to the chaos that raw medical records often present, and ensure that all necessary medical information has been included.
We will assist you in assembling the necessary medical records. and work with your doctors to ensure that they understand exactly what the complex forms require of them.

Tips for Assembling Social Security Disability Medical Records

Of course, we can’t tell you everything about what it takes to effectively assemble medical records for a Social Security disability case on one web page. Every case is a little different, and a seasoned advocate makes determinations based on the specifics of the disability and treatment history. That said, there are some high-level things you should know about submitting medical records to the SSA:

• The opinion of your long-time treating physician will carry the most weight, since he or she has had the opportunity to observe your condition and the effects of treatment over time. Depending on the nature of your medical condition, this may be a specialist or your family doctor.
• The SSA will consider records from other treating physicians as well, including those in emergency rooms, walk-in clinics and other settings where you may have received shorter-term care or assessment.
• If there is no doctor who has been providing ongoing care, SSA may want you to attend a consultative exam, in which a doctor of their choosing will see you briefly and assess your condition.

Knowledgeable Guidance Matters in the Social Security Disability Process

Assembly and submission of medical records is just one of many areas in which good planning and a solid understanding of the disability application and assessment process can mean the difference between an award of benefits and a denial. Give yourself the best opportunity to receive the benefits you deserve by working with an experienced Social Security disability advocate. Call today for a free consultation.