STEP 1:Start with reality: your doctor does not want to get involved.
Your doctor’s opinion on your ability to function in a work-like setting is very important, though it is not required. But unfortunately most doctors do not want to get involved in helping you win your social security disability benefits. Its not that they are bad people. Doctors want to heal, and supporting a disability claim is an admission that they have failed. Moreover, many think that once people get on disability they stop “trying” to get better. Most doctors have patients seeking disability that they really don’t think should be on disability. And let’s face it: doctors are busy, and already have too much paperwork thanks to the government and insurance industry. They are not excited to add to that burden by filing out forms and dictating a letter of support in your disability case.
STEP 2: Adjust your attitude: “get over” the fact that your doctor will have to be “courted” to help you in your disability case.
STEP 3: Make the “space” for a conversation with your doctor about your ability to work.
Your first goal is to have a conversation with your doctor about your disability, the problems you are continuing to have, and your ability to work. But first you need to be sure that she in the right “mood” for that conversation.’
To understand your doctor, you must first realize that, as much as she wants to help you, she is feeling pressure to end your consultation and move on to the next patient. Its just the reality of a busy medical practice. If, as your consultation is wrapping up, you tell your doctor that you want to talk about your disability, she will not fully receptive to that conversation. She will likely have one hand on the door knob, and doing her best to quickly end the conversation. You will likely find her answers unsatisfactory, and your pressing her for more information will further inflame her sense of being pressured.
Let your doctor decide when and how this important conversation happens. If she says “now” she is more open to a full conversation, since she agreed to it. If she wants to schedule a separate appointment, simply agree to that.
Either way you must give her control of how that discussion of your disability takes place.
STEP 4: Have a real doctor-patient conversation about your condition and ability to work.
The major problem I have seen is a disconnect between the doctor and their disability-seeking patients. The issue is seldom discussed, and most patients really don’t know whether their doctor supports their claim for social security disability-or wrongly believe their doctor does support their disability application. The point of this conversation is to get your doctor’s true opinion, not to persuade or convince her that you are disabled.
STEP 5: Tell your doctor why you are considering or pursuing a disability claim. Then ask for your doctor’s opinion of your ability to work.
Be totally honest about your condition. If you and your doctor have been together for a while and pursing different therapies, tell her in what ways you have improved. People seldom see no improvement from medical treatment, and your doctor will be pleased her efforts have given you some benefit. Be precise about the areas of your work-related functioning (sitting, standing, walking, dealing with stress, pain, etc) that you think keep you from working.
Step 6: Ask your doctor’s opinion of your ability to work.
Do not ask your doctor whether she thinks that you are “disabled”. Ask her precisely:
As my doctor, what is your opinion on my ability to work?
This might be the point at which your doctor starts being evasive. Obviously you could get a variety of different answers. Equally obvious is that your goal is to get a “YES” from your treating doctor – that he agrees you cannot work. If you get this kind of answer, skip to Step 8.
If you get a “no” answer (your doctor does not think you are disabled) I would recommend you remind him of the problems you have that you say keep you from working. See if you can persuade her, but keep you cool, and back off if you don’t get a more cooperative stance.
More than likely, though, you will get an answer that is evasive, and unclear like the following
“I don’t get involved with disability matters”
“You need a different kind of doctor’s opinion for disability”