Re: Re: Homework from Camp

[Guest guest]

Not completely. If you have done this correctly by the time the paperwork arrives at your office the patient in question already has another doc for this particular issue that is their "disablity". We simply tell the patient again, "We don't do these things. Doc X is your orthopedist for your knee, back what have you, and you need to have him attend to these kinds of issues for you". Works for me....

Re: Homework from Camp

Annie,Thanks for the disability statement. We talked about these issues inour small group on Sat. I am assuming we are still mandated to fillthese evaluations out when they arrive (or just mail records) butyour comments make it clear what the patient can expect. And thanks to all who made IMP camp fabulous, esp Sharon, Gordon, andthe mentors. I wore my IMP shirt to work today. Janice PegelsVestal, NY>> I'm sure many of you came home with scraps of paper reminding you toshare> this or that tidbit from your office. With apologies that I don'trecall> who asked for it, here is the text of my disability determinationposition>

statement. It is also posted on my website if you ever need to track it> down.> > > > POSITION STATEMENT ON DISABILITY EVALUATION> > "It's just a simple form." This is what people often say when theywish to> have me complete paperwork documenting a disabling condition.Because such> matters are often not as simple as they might seem, I am writing toclarify> my position on disability determination to avoid any confusion or> misunderstanding. Please be advised that I do not perform disabilityexams> or evaluations of any kind. This is based on my belief that as a primary> care doctor, my role is to listen, to observe, and to becompassionate. If> you tell me that you believe you can't work, I accept that as a true> statement of your belief.> > With regard to the legal questions of whether someone is entitled to>

benefits on the basis of a disability, I am not able to make thatdecision> due to lack of objectivity. When asked to provide documentation asevidence> in support of a legal position that any individual is entitled tobenefits> based on a disability, I will attest only to information of which I have> direct firsthand knowledge and therefore information that would be> admissible evidence in court. Examples of facts to which I willattest would> be absence or deformity of limbs, absence of one or both eyes, or gross> decrease in consciousness, such as coma or vegetative state. Withregards to> less incontrovertible states, including but not limited to weakness,pain,> cognitive, or emotional difficulties, paralysis, loss of sensation, or> blindness, I must defer to those specialists with the skills andfacilities> to objectively measure those

conditions.> > When completing legal forms regarding any patient condition, I will not> repeat subjective self reports as anything other than a directquote, nor> will I copy another doctor's statements as my own. Therefore, while I am> willing to make statements such as "Mr. tells me that he istoo weak> to stand", I will not state, "Mr. is too weak to stand", as Ihave no> way to verify this as fact. When a previous medical doctor hasperformed an> assessment and declared a person to be disabled, I will state, if I have> seen the report, that "Dr. has previously stated Mr. has a> disabling condition, however I cannot verify whether that condition has> improved, worsened or remained the same." Moreover, if the onlysource for> such information is a verbal report, I must disclose that lack of> documentation. Therefore, if an

independent medical examiner, orspecialist> has previously assessed your condition and declared you to bedisabled, I> recommend that you contact him or her to obtain an updated statement or> reevaluation as he or she deems appropriate.> > I hope this statement of policy is clear and will help avoid> misunderstandings about which services I will and will not performregarding> disability evaluations and disability statements. If you have anyquestions,> please don't hesitate to call and we can discuss the issue further at an> office appointment.> > L. Skaggs, MD> > > > > -- > Annie Skaggs> Lexington, KY>