How does a Medical Source Statement (RFC Form) help win a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim?A medical source statement is a statement supplied by a physician regarding an individual's medical condition. The statement generally includes a diagnosis of the condition, or conditions, as well as the various functional capabilities and functional deficits possessed by the person. A medical source statement is essentially synonymous with the RFC, or residual functional capacity, form used by the social security administration to rate a claimant's remaining, or residual, functional capabilities. SSA uses both physical and mental RFC assessments to make decisions on cases and RFC forms are completed by disability examiners who make decisions on SSD claims and SSI claims. RFC assessments are also made by the medical consultants (M.D.s) and Psychological consultants (Ph.D. level psychologists) who assist disability examiners in their decision-making process. How is a medical source statement different from an RFC form and assessment? An RFC form and a medical source statement may look practically identical as they are usually multi-page check off lists that ask a claimant's doctor to rate the claimant in specific functional areas such as their ability to stand and sit for certain lengths of time, the distance they are able to walk, their ability to reach, their ability to bend, squat, kneel, and so forth. In fact, for all intents and purposes, they are exactly the same thing. The only real difference between an RFC form and a medical source statement is the following: A) An RFC form is used by a disability examiner to rate a claimant's functionally abilities and is supported by the opinion of a medical consultant who is part of the disability examiner's case processing unit (in other words, a medical doctor whose job is simply to read the medical records of claimants and issue an opinion as to their capabilities though he has never met nor treated them). B) A medical source statement is typically obtained to present to an ALJ--administrative law judge--at a disability hearing. In the vast majority of cases, a medical source statement has been obtained by the claimant's SSD disability attorney or non-attorney disability representative. How does the representative or attorney obtain the statement? In the same way that medical records are obtained, by sending a written request to the claimant's treating physician. Will a treating physician usually comply with the request to provide a statement? Most will; however, some doctors will state that they do not have time to fill out the form (which usually requires 10-15 minutes). Some doctors, though they are in the minority, will also attempt to charge for the completion of a form. Working in disability claim representation, I myself have seen doctors attempt to charge up to five hundred dollars for completing a medical source statement form. If the doctor states that he will not complete the form without being paid, will a disability attorney or disability representative decide that the form is still worth getting? In many cases, yes. This is because a medical source statement can very often provide crucial evidence that strongly supports "a finding of disabled" from a federal administrative law judge. While disability examiners at the level of an application for disability or the first disability appeal (the reconsideration request) will very often ignore a statement from a claimant's treating physician, or not give it the consideration it deserves, judges at hearings almost universally give such statements full consideration and considerable weight as long as the doctor's statement is in sync with their own history of providing treatment to the claimant. In other words, medical source statements are often instrumental in winning cases at disability hearings. This, of course, brings up the inevitable question of who will pay the doctor for the statment. Inevitably, the claimant will be the one who pays for the statement, though many attorneys and representatives will "advance for costs" (such as for obtaining medical records and physician statements) meaning that they will pay the doctor and then have the claimant reimburse when the case is concluded and, hopefully, won. Medical Source statement PDF download About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Disability in North Carolina under age fifty Social Security Disability Medical Evaluation Form, Can A Doctor Be Forced to Complete One? Disability Attorneys- Will they do your forms for you? What to do (forms to complete) if you receive a Denial on a Social Security Disability or SSI Case How does a Medical Source Statement (RFC Form) help win a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim? What Forms will I need to Complete when I apply for disability? Will getting retirement affect my application for disability based on COPD? Receiving Social Security Disability benefits if you are blind Social Security Disability and Bilateral Hearing Loss Will I qualify for disability Benefits in New York Getting a Disability Lawyer in New York How do Disability Lawyers in New York get paid their fees? |
