Can My SSDI Benefits Be Denied for Failing to Follow My Doctor's Orders?

 Posted on October 13, 2022 in Uncategorized

If you are already receiving Social Security disability benefits or you have a condition that should qualify you for such benefits, it is important to follow your doctor's orders for treating your condition. Failing to do so can result in a denial of benefits. A qualified Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) attorney from The Law Offices of Coats & Todd can help you understand the potential consequences of failing to follow a doctor's orders and what you can do to avoid a denial of benefits.

What Happens if I Fail to Follow My Doctor's Orders?

When you apply for SSDI benefits, you are required to provide supporting medical documentation about your condition and how it is affecting your ability to work. Part of that information should be the specifics of your condition as well as what is being done to treat it. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must follow your prescribed treatment if the treatment is expected to restore—even partially—your ability to work.

If you are applying for benefits and are not following your prescribed treatment without a good reason, you will not be found to be disabled. If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits and you fail to follow your doctor's orders, your benefits may be suspended or terminated. In some cases, you may be able to appeal the decision, but if you do not intend to follow the prescribed treatment, you must have a good reason.

Acceptable Reasons for Not Following Your Prescribed Treatment

The SSA maintains a list of reasons that could be considered acceptable for failing to follow your doctor’s orders. These include, but are not limited to:

• The treatment in question is against the established teachings of your religion

• The treatment in question is a surgery that has already been tried with unsuccessful results

• The treatment in question is unusual or large in magnitude, such as an organ transplant or open-heart surgery, and presents extreme risk for you

• The treatment in question requires an amputation

These are just a few examples, and your case will be handled on an individual basis. In general, the SSA will take into account your physical, medical, linguistic, and educational limitations when deciding if your reasons for failing to follow your prescribed treatment are acceptable.

Work With a Texas Disability Lawyer

Failing to follow your doctor's orders can result in a denial or termination of your Social Security disability benefits. If you cannot afford the medication prescribed by your doctor or if you do not agree with your treatment plan, there may be options available to you. It is important to discuss these concerns with your doctor so that you can avoid a denial of benefits.

It is also a good idea to contact an experienced Dallas SSDI benefits attorney who can help you present your case to the SSA. Call 972-671-9922 for a free case evaluation with a member of the team at The Law Offices of Coats & Todd today.

Sources:

https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-1530.htm

https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di/02/SSR2018-03-di-02.html