Hi Debi,

It is a very frustrating process.

"Don't we pay them enough for them to put detailed notes in ?"
Usually ? No, we don't. Most docs book patients in 15 minute increments. If you "used" up that whole 15 minutes talking, he doesn't have much time left for documentation.

I have the same "wants" from my docs as you.....for a thorough job that adequately addresses our concerns and medical needs. That doesn't come automatically, as many of us feel that it should.

I've heard that some doctors charge a "consultation fee" to complete the documentation needed for our ssdi applications. Personally, I feel that's ridiculous, that completing the paperwork to help us collect ssdi is part of their job. If a doc doesn't feel the same, we have to choose between switching docs or trying to compromise/work with them. I understand that the ssdi paperwork takes extra time. I want my doc to understand that he can shave some time off discussing my high blood pressure or diabetes. My pain issues and stress over ssdi (and the health insurance that MC will provide that will be necessary for my future medical care) are absolutely as critical to my health and long term survival as my bp. While I believe docs SHOULD help with the ssdi paperwork as part of our regular care, if it took paying a consult fee of a few hundred bucks to get an hour of my docs time to do it right, I'd do it.

You might check with your docs to see if you may have to set up a special time with them to manage the ssdi application.

I think it's important to consider that a doc's "normal" goals in documenting a patient visit are about whether or not his findings are expected and what his medical plan is to treat symptoms that a patient experiences. That's his legal requirement. Unfortunately, that doesn't do much to PROVE disability to the SSA. Your doctors might not understand exactly what you need the focus of their documentation to be to help you get approval.

Was your 15 minute conversation about your health issues related to your disability or was it about completing documentation that shows how your symptoms make you disabled ?

I wish this process wasn't so complicated.....and that you didn't feel like you were back to square one with this. Good luck, Debi.