Social Security Disability Medical Records

When filing for Social Security Disability medical records are very important to your case. Clients often have many questions concerning their doctors and medical records.

Are some records more important than others?
What if I am seeing a new doctor for my disability?
Should I include medical records with my application?
What about the records from my old doctor?

These are just a few of the questions we get.

Your Social Security Disability Medical Records

In an ideal world, Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) disability claims would include medical records from your long term treating physician.

Generally, treating physicians are in a better position to document:

The onset date of the impairment
How the impairment should progress over time
Any physical or mental limitations it places on the patient’s ability to work.

Medical records from hospitals and clinics are also valid forms of documentation. However, you need to make sure that you are getting care from a licensed health care provider.

Social Security prefers the medical opinions of licensed MDs, DOs, psychologists and optometrists. Reports from licensed providers are considered “acceptable medical sources “. Reports and records from other sources may not be admissible if the person signing the reports is not considered “acceptable”. Here is a list of the sources that are considered acceptable for Social Security Disability Medical Records.

Long Term Relationships

Disability examiners tend to pay closer attention to the opinion of long-time treatment sources. The records resulting from a short hospital stay or visit to the ER tend to carry less weight.

The best medical records to support a disability claim are those from a physician that you have a longstanding relationship with. Because of this relationship, they will be able to document how the disability has affected your overall health. They have a baseline to measure your impairment since the disability. And having that history can also help to forecast what your recovery can be.

Treatment for Your Disability

If you have seen any provider for your disability, long-term or new, the medical records are important. Make sure that if you are filing for disability, you include all medical records. This includes any place in which you have received medical treatment for your impairment.

Medical records from your treating physician are best. However, don’t leave out any medical records from past or present acceptable medical sources.

If you are not sure what is acceptable, contact one of our Jacksonville Social Security Disability Attorneys. We will help you understand what is important.

Copies of Medical Records

If you have the actual medical records themselves, it is always a good idea to submit the records along with your application. It is always a good idea to get copies when you are being treated. Collecting these records and sending them in with your application can benefit your case.

At least, it is important to make sure you tell Social Security about all doctors and hospitals you have seen for your conditions.

This will give them the best picture of your disability. Furthermore, they can speak to how it is affecting your ability to work and your quality of life in the future.

Jacksonville Social Security Disability Attorneys

At Harris Guidi Rosner, we understand that the Social Security Disability process can be frustrating. Sometimes the process can go on for an extended amount of time, rules and laws change. Additionally, you are not experts on the fine points of Social Security Disability law. That is where we can help.

Our experienced team of Jacksonville Social Security attorneys have that experience. We are available for a free consultation. We will work with you to understand your case. Then we will be able to lay out a plan for you to help you get the benefits you deserve. Call our Jacksonville office today at 904-777-7777. Or you can use our simple online contact form.