When you apply for a disability benefit, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will expect you to provide medical records which describe your disability.
This means you will have to ask your doctor to provide results of a medical examination and your diagnosis. The SSA will also want to know if you are able to work. Without the examination and medical records from a doctor it can be difficult to prove you have a severe condition.
I Can’t Afford to See a Doctor
If you are no longer working due to your medical condition you may find it hard to afford to see a doctor and pay for the medical treatment you need to treat your condition.
You may not have sufficient insurance or any at all if it is too expensive for you to buy once you have lost your job because you are unable to work.
If you cannot afford a doctor, the SSA will still review you application as long as you make it clear why you have not visited a doctor.
Can the SSA Send Me to a Doctor?
In some situations the SSA may be able to offer a consultative exam (CE) with a private physician so that it can get the required medical evidence to prove that your disability prevents you from working for at least 12 months.
The CE will not cost you anything. When you are applying for a Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefit, the disability examiner is the person who will make a decision on your claim and who may ask you to attend a consultative examination.
What is a Consultative Exam?
A consultative examination (CE) is a free medical examination conducted by a disability examiner to evaluate a disability claimant’s medical condition.
This examination is requested if there isn’t sufficient medical evidence provided proving your disability prevents you from working for at least 12 months.
If you are asked to attend a CE a letter will be sent to you from the Disability Determination Services (DDS) giving you the date, time and place of the exam.
If you fail to respond to the request it could cause delays in the processing of your Social Security disability application, and could even lead to a denial. Before you attend the examination it would be helpful to your claim to provide some of your medical records.
How to Get Medical Records
Having your own medical records does help in verifying your eligibility for disability benefits. If you are unable to afford a doctor then try a free clinic or an emergency room as there should be one you can use in your area that will provide you with a medical report including results of tests required to confirm your diagnosis.
Get Help Today
If you are unable to find a doctor to diagnose and treat your medical condition it makes it more difficult to win your claim for disability benefits. However, if you seek help from a lawyer they will be able to help you get the disability medical records you need.
