Keeping your Social Security attorney’s office informed of any changes in your medical condition and where you are treating for your conditions is imperative to proving to the Social Security Administration that you are disabled.
A large portion of the evidence used to prove your case comes from the medical records obtained from your treating sources. If your attorney’s office is unaware of a source for medical treatment, significant information documenting your disabilities may be missed.
To begin with, you should provide your Social Security attorney’s office with a complete list of all physical and mental health clinics and hospitals you are currently visiting and all the ones you’ve seen over the last 12 months. Specifically the names, addresses and phone numbers for all clinics and hospitals are needed.
Once this information is provided we do not need to be informed every time you have an appointment for medical treatment at one of these facilities, but inpatient hospitalizations and major changes to your condition should be reported to your case manager. You should also report new diagnoses, scheduled surgeries and any further limitations to your ability to work.
It is also very important to keep your case manager informed of any new facilities you treat at once your case has begun. Informing your case manager of any new medical treating sources makes it easier to keep Social Security up to date on your current condition and ensures that the appropriate medical evidence can be obtained in supporting your disability claim.
During this process you may have to visit many different clinics and hospitals as part of your medical treatment. Keeping your own detailed list of these providers will ensure that all the appropriate medical records are submitted to help document your disabilities.
To learn more about how Social Security decides whether you are disabled under its rules visit: http://www.ssa.gov/disability/determination.htm
