Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet with a group of family medicine doctors at Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU). In our hour-long session, I was able to share with them critical information about their role in the disability process and respond to their concerns about patients who apply for disability benefits.
Here are some of the key points I shared with the doctors:
- Not every person who manages physical and/or mental health problems will be eligible for disability. There are many folks who will not satisfy social security’s rules for receiving benefits.
- Family medicine doctors have a special role in the social security disability process. Their chart notes and their ultimate opinions as to their patient’s ability to work are generally given great weight in the decision-making process.
- Just because a patient does not get disability benefits immediately upon applying, does not mean that they are not ultimately going to be successful. The disability process moves slowly and many people can wait over two years to get a favorable outcome.
- If a doctor believes that there may be something standing in the way of their patient working full-time, it is best to refer that patient to a local and competent social security attorney who can help evaluate the patient’s eligibility for disability.