When visiting the doctor, most of us go with the idea that the doctor is going to tell us something. We go for things that are causing us problems at that time. We tell the doctor that we have a sore throat. He swabs our throat with a long Q-tip and tells us we have strep throat. He then sends us on our way with a prescription for an antibiotic. Visit over. This scenario is very common, but what most people do not know is that it also may be a missed opportunity!
For those Michigan Social Security Disability claimants who have chronic medical problems, this time can also be used to keep the physician informed of other important issues as well. For example, if you have degenerative disc disease, you can use this time to let your doctor know if your pain is getting worse, or if you can no longer stand as long as you used to. If you suffer from pain every day, you may not think to discuss it with your doctor when you go see him for a cold or other acute problem. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to help your medical records support your chronically disabling condition as well.
In your claim for Social Security Disability benefits, medical evidence is necessary to prove your disability. The medical records from your doctor’s visits will eventually be submitted as evidence to help support your claim. If you are visiting an internal medicine physician, he may ask you about each of your body systems (Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth/throat, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, Endocrine, Extremeties, Skin, Musculoskeletal and Neurologic). Whatever your condition is, it will fall within one of the above categories. Don’t be afraid to tell your doctor about each one of the issues you are having, not just the one that brought you in that particular day. Use this time with your doctor to:
- Manage all your health issues, both acute and chronic,
- Get referrals to other appropriate doctors concerning your conditions,
- Get whatever type of diagnostic testing that is recommended, and hopefully,
- Increase your chances of having consistent, supportive medical evidence of your disabling conditions.
The road to obtaining Social Security Disability benefits can be a long and challenging one. There are some things that you as a claimant will have little control over in the process. When it comes to your health, and to your claim for Social Security Disability benefits, being proactive may just make a difference.
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