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If you've spoken with disabled individuals on a daily basis for a number of years as I have, you begin to notice that, although everyone's case is somewhat unique, the problems encountered by disability claimants are very much the same.
What are those problems? Quite simply, and quite obviously:
Regarding finances, visitors to this site may wish to read "Going broke while waiting on disablity" to see if any of the tips mentioned in that article are helpful. Regarding the issue of health insurance, while it may be very difficult for claimants to obtain needed care, some doctors will actually continue to see a patient if they know the claimant has filed for medicaid, so this may be worth doing (even though the reality is that most medicaid applications will be denied until disability benefits have been awarded). Other possible treatment options include seeking care at a free clinic or a hospital ER (not a pleasant option, but sometimes the only one left). Regarding the issue of no access to medications, this is probably the issue that is most problematic and on two separate levels. First of all, the disability evaluation system will actually penalize an individual who does not have health insurance. For example, a judge who reviews a claimant with severe back pain, seizure disorder, asthma, or a psychiatric disorder, will often issue a denial if the claimant was prescribed medication but did not take it. The fact that the claimant had no health insurance and no money to buy the medicine out-of-pocket is irrelevant to the judge hearing the case. Does this sound fair? Of course not, but it happens all the time. Secondly, even for the claimant who is lucky enough to get seen by a doctor, such treatment is nearly useless without the ability to obtain medications, simply because any visit to a doctor will generally entail the doctor writing a prescription. What's the solution to this problem? There doesn't really seem to be one. Individuals who can get medication samples from a doctor should do so, but, generally, this is a very short-lived option. Others who may be in the position of buying medications at a lower, more affordable price may wish to investigate a canadian pharmacy (see the canadian pharmacy article). Unfortunately, this is one of the most heinous short-comings of the social security administration's disability system: because the evaluation process takes so long to get through, most claimants will find themselves judged on the basis of whether or not they are taking prescribed medications and getting regular medical treatment...despite the fact that, by the time most claimants get to a hearing before a judge, they will have long ago exhausted their medical coverage and their ability to get prescriptions filled. Disability Advocates Help with Claims Free Case Evaluation |
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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ATTORNEY, REPRESENTATIVE LAWYER LIST ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 3 ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 4 |
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