? for rich and whomever may have an idea

[grace4et]

I dont have and havent had a primary care doctor since my dx in 05' and only have a neurologist, gyn etc...my insurance allows you to go directly to speacialist if they accept my insurance so ive been so swallowed up in all of the complications of my ms "stuff" that i dont have energy to go to doctors that i dont need as i dont have any other problems except for the occasional cold and just look up a general practitioner if i need something.


i was wondering would the not having a primary care doctor affect me when/if i need to apply for ssdi?

[MSW1963]

I'm not aware of a SSDI stipulation that requires a primary care doc in order for a SSDI disability claim to be approved.

If your disability is MS related at the time you apply for SSDI, wether or not you have a primary care doc should not be a consideration for review and approval of you MS related SSDI claim.

Primary care doc's are the gate keepers for most private health insurance plans. Primary care doc are required to help private plans control cost via referrals for patients to receive more expensive care from a specialist.

[grace4et]

thanks for the reply!

[MSW1963]

Welcs and best of luck.

[Rich Feingold]

Hello, grace4et and MSW1963. SSA does have a preference in terms of specialists and can give more weight to the opinion of a specialist vs. non-specialist in certain situations. Sometimes the primary care provider can provide important records and an opinion when there are multiple impairments. SSA is supposed to consider the combined effects of one's multiple impairments, for example, including physical and mental impairments.

Rich

[grace4et]

thanks rich!

[Rich Feingold]

You are welcome, grace4et. Sorry it took me a while to get back to you.

Best of luck to you and let me know if you have further questions.

Rich