FAQs for Physicians
Treating physicians are regularly asked by Augusta, GA disability attorneys and the Social Security Administration (SSA) for opinions and information concerning the impairments of their patients. The following questions and answers address the types of requests physicians receive regarding Augusta Social Security disability claims.
Why is a treating physician’s opinion necessary when claiming disability?
Augusta, GA Social Security disability attorneys will tell you that as far as the Social Security Administration is concerned, the medical professional most qualified to give a detailed, specific, longitudinal assessment of the medical impairments a claimant possesses, is his or her treating physician.
The medical evidence of a disability case is given a unique perspective from the treating doctor’s opinion that is not always available from such things as individual examination reports, Social Security Administration arranged consultative examinations, brief hospitalizations, or objective medical evidence. The treating physician’s opinion is given special consideration by the SSA.
What information is needed by the SSA from a treating physician?
Augusta, GA disability attorneys will advise that a treating physician may be asked by the Social Security Administration questions concerning:
- The effect treatment has on the claimant (as well as side effects).
- The length of time the claimant’s functioning ability is expected to be limited by the impairments.
- The duration, extent, severity and nature of the claimant’s impairments.
- The level of function the claimant possesses.
- What effect the impairments have on the claimant’s sustained functioning ability when performing daily living and work activities.
Social Security Administration adjudicators rely on a treating physician’s opinions regarding these issues to be able to accurately determine the claimant’s impairment level and remaining work capacity.
Contact Augusta Social Security Disability
Augusta, GA social Security disability attorneys have years of experience and knowledge working with and on behalf of Social Security disability claimants. If you have questions concerning your disability case and would like to visit with experienced and competent Augusta, GA social Security disability attorneys, please contact us.