Principal Attorney
Telehealth has grown in popularity since the pandemic, as many patients and medical providers find it more efficient than in-person appointments, especially when providers only need to talk to patients rather than physically examine them or conduct tests. As a result, an increasing number of SSDI benefit claims involve telehealth records, which can provide the critical evidence needed to support an individual’s right to benefits.
The Importance of Medical Records in SSDI Claims
When a person applies for SSDI benefits, they must present medical evidence to prove to the Social Security Administration that they have a condition that meets the regulatory definition of a “disability” and that their condition limits them from maintaining gainful employment. In many claims, having consistent, detailed medical records often determines whether the SSA approves an applicant for disability benefits. Conversely, many claim denials occur due to insufficient medical documentation or gaps in the medical record.
Telehealth Records as Evidence in SSDI Claims
When patients see providers on telehealth platforms, the platform may create various kinds of records about the patient’s care, such as doctors’ notes, patient histories, diagnostic reports, and visit summaries. Individuals who apply for SSDI can use telehealth records the same way they’d use records from in-person medical appointments. Many people find telehealth more convenient and less expensive than in-person care, especially when they have difficulty traveling to appointments or cannot afford co-pays or out-of-pocket medical costs. By using telehealth visits to plug in the gaps between in-person exams, individuals can show consistent symptoms and ongoing treatment to the Social Security Administration, which can strengthen a disability claim.
The Hidden Value of Telehealth Records
Because patients can “see” telehealth providers more frequently, telehealth records can provide critical benefits for an SSDI claim. Some of the advantages of telehealth in a disability benefits claim include:
- Symptom Tracking – With more frequent visits, telehealth records can more accurately document a person’s regular symptoms, which may not appear in records from quarterly or annual in-person medical exams.
- Specialist Access – Telehealth services can allow individuals to access providers in a specific specialty or who have specialized experience with the individual’s disease or condition. Those specialists can provide more persuasive narrative letters explaining the individual’s functional limitations from their condition.
- Consistency – The ease of telehealth visits can encourage people to seek regular treatment, avoiding temporal gaps in medical records that can prove fatal to disability benefits claims.
- Technological Benefits – Some telehealth platforms automatically create visit summaries, including by using AI and recordings to write detailed notes about a visit. These records can provide in-depth evidence to support a disability claim.
Common Issues and How to Overcome Them
Common challenges that can arise from using telehealth records in an SSDI claim include:
- Missing records or gaps in the record
- Difficulty accessing electronic records
- Skepticism from disability benefits claims reviewers about the value or reliability of telehealth records versus records from an in-person examination
Fortunately, SSDI applicants can overcome these issues by following best practices, such as:
- Request copies of telehealth visit summaries after each visit.
- Ensure that your telehealth doctor includes specific functional limitations in your records, rather than simply noting a diagnosis.
- Work with an SSDI attorney with experience using telehealth records to incorporate this evidence most effectively into your disability benefits claim.
Why Legal Help Matters
An SSDI lawyer will understand how to use telehealth records as part of a robust, compelling claim for disability benefits. When your medical record primarily consists of telehealth visits, an attorney can use those telehealth records in the most effective way to demonstrate your symptoms and limitations. A lawyer can also help with your SSDI claim by identifying missing documentation, contacting your telehealth providers to request additional records, and coordinating with providers to obtain in-person examinations, if necessary.
Contact an SSDI Attorney Today
If you’ve sought telehealth services for your disabling medical condition, records from those services can help you secure SSDI benefits. Contact Disability Advocates Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an SSDI lawyer to learn more about the vital role that telehealth records can play in your SSDI claim.
