SSDI hearing next Friday - any suggestions?

[Momelie]

Hello all!

I really didn't want to have to do this, but due to changes in my DH's insurance which will result in Remicade being a financial impossibility (they are switching it from major medical to pharmaceutical coverage, which has a 6K/year cap), I need to get some type of medical coverage, ASAP.

Our BCBS plan will be closing the loophole on biologics in January, making it necessary to go through their "specialty pharmacy", and subjecting all drugs to the $6,000/year cap. As we all know, that's not going to go very far with any of the biologics, especially Remicade.

Anyway, my rheumy suggested filing for SSDI, and is supportive of it. I called Social Security, and they gave me an appointment for next Friday morning!!! I was amazed at it being that quickly! It certainly doesn't give me much time to prepare and gather records, for sure.

In addition to having to amend a tax return (I've been a self-employed antique dealer up until my hips and hand quit working, and one year I had to take a massive loss when an idiot knocked over a case of carnival glass, and I didn't have the "quarters" for that year), I'm frantically trying to make lists and gather records.

Can anybody tell me exactly what information I need to take with me? What type of lists should I make? Do I need to make a list of things I can't do anymore? Doctors I've seen, with dates? Medications I've tried? Employment records - how far back? Before I was self-employed, I was a legal secretary, do they need to know that?

I'm freaking here - thought I'd have more time! I appreciate any help or insight you could give me!

Thanks,

Deb

[sandibg]

Deb,

I am also filing for disability for my psoriatic arthritis. I can't stress enough how important it is to hire an advocate to plead your case. Sort of like going into court....you would want a lawyer.

I have been dealing with allsup for my claim and I have been very happy with their level of service.

Good luck

Sandra

[mary j]

all of your records for the last 15 years on employment. tax forms from last year. Current earnings for this year. need detailed discription of your job duties bending stooping standing and how freq each day. All meds who ordered and why addresses of all treating docs with phone numbers. Then sit down and write yourself a list of things you can;t do anymore and if you need help who helps they want everything then expect to be turned down in about 3-4 months. Good Luck I was denied applied in May got letter today someplace on ss website there is a packet that will help take a look

[RichJ]

hi sandra,
welcome to the p family and you have met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to met you

have a good night all

richard

[whats in a name 06]

I got the entire application form off the ssdi website. I write better than I speak and have a hard time remembering and keeping things straight. So, I did the LENGTHLY report, gathered all my papers, got all addys and names of doc, etc. I took it with me to the appt. I was so flustered, the interviwer just asked if I wanted her to take the relavant facts from my report to enter on her screen. She still kept mine which was good, but, was able to concisely enter what was needed, since I tended to ramble a bit on my paper.

Another good reason for this, is that I was able to make copies of everything I had given to ssdi, for future reference. I also went to the place that had a ll my films and got copies of the radiologist reports. The more you do on your own, the faster it will be. Plus you will know that they got something that was particularly important. No stress or worry about them missing it. I was worried that maybe a film might be checked out by an MD when they went to get it.

Hope that helps

[Momelie]

One question I have is if I will be able to supplement the records after they request them?

Reason I ask is that my annual x-rays are supposed to happen in late November - will I be able to include the report from them at a later date? Will they accept additional documentation?

I did go today to get my IRS self employment stuff done, and that went fairly smoothly, all things considered.

I think I'm working myself into an ulcer, LOL!

[whats in a name 06]

I was told that I would be able to. In my case, I was given a particular contact person. It's not the person that interviewed me. I suppose he would be the one for me to contact if I need to bring in new documents. Personally, I would bring the reports in to them, rather than notifying them of new films.