Using State Funded Medical Care to Support your Social Security Disability Claim

10/08/08

While it is possible for somebody who is not yet 50 years of age to obtain Social Security disability benefits, it is quite a bit more complicated than for somebody who is over 50 years of age. For those that are younger than 50, obtaining disability benefits is dependant on their ability to prove that there is no work they are currently able to do. For an older individual, they typically only have to prove that they can no longer do the work that they did in the past 15 years. Those people who do not have medical insurance of their own can visit Social Security doctors for evaluation. These Social Security doctors are not actually there to treat you, but to examine your case impartially and methodically. Because of this, having a record of treatment from independent (non Social Security) doctors is generally the best way to provide proof of your disability. Doctors that know you and know what you are going through.

If, however, you have no access to medical insurance, you have two different options for obtaining care. Your local county clinic and vocational rehabilitation. County clinics are there for people who do not have medical insurance. If you decide to use a county clinic, the best way to go about it is quietly: it is best not to tell them about your current disabilities. Why? Because underfunded county clinics often turn away those with complex medical problems, insisting that they do not have enough money to treat you. When they hear of the depth of your disability, they may turn your away without letting you see even one doctor. Instead of providing a long medical history, when you speak to a county clinic, simply state that you a person without medical insurance who needs to see a primary physician. Do not give any details. Then, when you get in to see the doctor, you can provide details about your condition and concerns. Often times, they will send you to specialists for your conditions and pay for it.

Your other medical care option, the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, is paid for by the state and works to train people for a vocation or career. But before they send you to work, they will look at your existing medical records from previous medical providers and they will also send you to their doctors. They will pay for doctor visits, medications, tests and even surgeries and/or procedures, if warranted. When all this is finished, they will then decide whether or not they believe you can go to work. If at the end of the decision process the program determines you unable to work, they will then send you over to Social Security to apply for benefits. This can help your claim, because the experts in the field of getting you back to work say you cannot. At the same time, you have gotten medical treatment and medications for free. On the other hand if they believe that you can work then they will train you and help you find a job. The records from the doctors that vocational rehabilitation sent you to can also be used as evidence in support of your claim for disability benefits.

Once again, without medical treatment, especially for younger individuals, it is almost impossible to get Social Security Disability Benefits. Therefore, you have to get into medical treatment as soon possible.

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