It’s possible to have very strong reasons for not following a physician’s recommended course of treatment, such as:

• No insurance
• Extreme financial hardship
• Mobility issues
• A disability that interferes with your capacity to follow up on recommendations

Unfortunately, non-compliance with a physician can count against you in an SSDI claims hearing. In order to protect yourself from an automatic denial, you’ll need to explain your reasons for not complying and back them up with supporting evidence.

If financial hardships in particular will make it difficult or impossible to follow your treating physician’s orders, contact your county’s hospital district or the California Health and Human Services Agency to learn of any options available to you before filing a claim. Even if you are unable to obtain assistance, taking this step will help you gather more evidence for your case.

Other documentation that might help

Take pains to demonstrate every effort you’ve made to lessen your symptoms or obtain treatment for your disability. Collect documentation of consultations with any medical professional who has examined or treated you for issues related to your condition, including:

• Physical therapists
• Mental health practitioners
• Clinicians
• Nurse practitioners 
• Chiropractors 
• Social workers

Finally, don’t forget any alternative treatments you may be using to deal with symptoms, including:

• Medical devices, like braces or walkers
• Over-the-counter drugs
• Therapeutic exercises
• Herbal supplements
• Relaxation exercises
• Massage
• Acupuncture

Any Northern California SSDI claim with special circumstances will benefit from a consultation with a Chico Social Security disability attorney. Fill out the contact form below, or call 888-761-7383 to schedule a free case review today.