Can My Health Care Provider Charge Me To Get A Copy Of My Medical Records For Disability
In Maine, there is no regulation that prevents health care providers from charging you for a copy of your medical records that are being used for Social Security applications or appeals. Health care providers can charge you $10 for the first page and $0.35 for each additional page. There is no limit to what your health care provider can charge altogether.
While you can get your own copies of your medical records and submit them to Social Security with your application, if you are unable to afford them, Social Security can obtain them. Social Security has the obligation to request medical records that are not provided to them so that they have a complete view of your medical impairments.
If Your Application Is Denied
After we review your application and the information you provided, we may decide you do not meet the qualifications for disability benefits.
If you disagree with our decision, you have the right to ask us to look at your application again. The notice you receive from us that says you don’t qualify will explain how to appeal our decision and the time period in which you must make the request.
If we decide you don’t qualify:
-
Because you are not disabled under our rules, you can appeal our decision online.
The online disability report will ask you for updated information about your medical condition and any treatment, tests, or doctor visits since we made our decision.
Americans With Disabilities Act Of 1990 And The Ada Amendments Act Of 2008
The ADA is one of Americas most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in the mainstream of American life to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in state and local government programs and services. Modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the ADA is an equal opportunity law for people with disabilities.
To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability, which is defined by the ADA as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.
Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973
No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
For more information on the ADAAA, visit the ADA website or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission webpage.
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Show Up With Your Documents
When you call for the appointment, be sure to ask the Claims Specialist which forms you should bring, and take notes. It may require some time to locate your documents, but if you cannot find all of them, bring what you have.
If you forget a document or cant find it, you may need to make another trip so its worth checking the notes you took while speaking with the Claims Specialist.
You should always bring your Social Security Card and a copy of any personal identifying information . If you have a US passport or US birth certificate, take them with you.
If you are not a US citizen or are naturalized, bring all documentation relating to your temporary or permanent resident status to your appointment.
Bring A List Of Questions
It can be intimidating to sit down with a Claims Specialist when you have limited time and are unfamiliar with the SSA application process. For this reason, everyone should bring a list of questions.
Give some thought to what you dont understand about the disability or retirement process, and write it down. There is no such thing as a dumb question!
Your goal is to make sure everything gets answered. Some examples of good questions to ask if you are applying for disability:
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Is There Someone Who Can Help Me If I Want To Return To Work After Being Disabled
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation under the Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services is the office in Maine that helps people who are disabled to find and keep a job. Those who receive SSDI or SSI are immediately eligible for these services. To apply for services, you should contact your local DVR office. Contact information for the local offices can be found on the DVR’s website.
Calendar Your Ssa Appointment
Making an appointment is simple: call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday between 7 am and 7 pm. The best time to call is first thing in the morning or in the last hour of the day, from 6-7 pm.
An SSA employee will give you a call back if you leave a message before the office opens at 9 am. Set up your appointment, and do your best to keep it. The sooner you get there, the faster you can begin your application process. Write the date and time in your calendar and make it a priority.
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Applying For Social Security Disability Typically Has Three Steps:
- Step One You file a disability application, wait about six months. Then, get denied.
- Step Two You file a Request for Reconsideration, wait about another six months, and get denied again.
- Step Three You Request a Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. It usually takes 12-16 months to get the hearing date after you request it. Your chances of winning in front of the Judge are approximately 50%. If you have an attorney representing you, you are even more likely to be successful.
It is important to be working with a doctor who understands your limitations and supports your claim. Benefits are awarded if your condition meets or equals the listing of impairments with specific requirements, or if your condition is such that a review of your age, education, and past work experience, along with your current limitations, makes it impossible for you to return to any employment. The closer you are to retirement age, the more likely you are to be determined disabled.
Years ago, it was fairly easy to get awarded Social Security Disability and SSI benefits. Those days are gone. It has become more complicated to achieve success. Having an experienced disability lawyer at your side will reduce your stress and greatly increase your chances of success.
We have been handling SS disability and SSI claims since the 1980s. Weve attended hundreds of hearings in front of the Administrative Law Judges. Let our experience help you through this process.
Making Claims For Disability In Maine
Maine Disability Claim Advocates: If youre located in Maine and have a disability, then you need to know how to make a disability claim. That way, you can start getting payments in the future that help you to make ends meet. Just make sure you go through this process the proper way so you get the results youre looking for.
Youre going to want to work with a professional claims specialist of some kind that can help you through the process. A lot of the time if you try to make a claim on your own, youre going to get denied. When you get denied youre able to make an appeal but if youre not working with a disability claim professional you may not know how to work through the appeal process on your own. So, try to hire someone that can help you get through this the right way so you know you have a good chance.
Your disability may have been going on for quite some time so you probably already live a frugal life. How do you pay for disability claim assistance if you dont have any money? The good news is most people like GAR Disability Advocates and claim specialists are not going to charge you unless you are granted disability. This is good because it means that if they are working with you, then they believe in your case. When you are approved, you sometimes get back pay for the time it took them to approve you and then some depending on when you get disabled. With this back pay you can afford to pay a professional that helps with claims.
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Some Publications That Will Give You More Information On Disability Benefits
The Disability Starter Kit will help you get ready for your disability interview or online application. Kits are available for adults and for children under age 18.
The starter kits provide information about the specific documents and the information that we will request from you.
The kits also provide general information about the disability programs and our decision-making process.
Here are some additional resources with information on disability benefits:
- Disability Evaluation Under Social Security – Medical criteria for evaluating Social Security disability claims
Apply For Me Disability Permits
You can apply for a disabled placard or license plate from the Maine DMV:
- OR
- In person.
To apply, you must submit a completed Application for Disability Plates/Placard with the medical certification section completed by one of the following:
- Physician.
- Nurse practitioner.
- Registered nurse.
Handicapped placards and license plates are free however, you will still need to pay your vehicle registration fees.
You can submit your application:
- to:
- In person at a Maine BMV office.
To be eligible for a Maine disabled license plate or removable windshield placard that allows you to park in designated disabled parking spaces, you need to be certified by a physician as having a disability that impairs your ability to walk. Specifically, you must come under any of the following definitions:
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How To File For Disability In Maine
This article was co-authored by Lahaina Araneta, JD. Lahaina Araneta, Esq. is an Immigration Attorney for Orange County, California with over 6 years of experience. She received her JD from Loyola Law School in 2012. In law school, she participated in the immigrant justice practicum and served as a volunteer with several nonprofit agencies.There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 15,137 times.
The Social Security Administration provides disability benefits to workers who can no longer be gainfully employed because of a qualifying disability. In Maine, you can file online or at one of the states nine field offices. Dont be surprised if you are initially rejected. Fortunately, you can bring several appeals, and most people who receive benefits get them after a hearing.
Community Work Incentives Coordinators
Paul Connair, CWIC
Paul has lived and worked in Portland since 2003. He initially joined DVS as an Employment Specialist in 2013 to work for the grant-funded ASPIRE Vocational Assessment Project. When the grant ended in 2016, Paul left briefly but came back as a CWIC in 2017. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in theology from Gordon College in 2001. He is passionate about seeing people live their best life and work in a career they love. When he is not working, Paul enjoys reading and running as well as listening to and playing music.
Kate Hamlin, CWIC
Kate joined MMC Vocational Services as a CWIC in 2020. Prior to joining DVS, she served as a healthcare representative and patient advocate within the Maine Medical Center community for seven years. She has a passion for advocacy and working with people.Kate was born and raised in Milo, Maine and has been in Portland since 2010. She has a degree in both English and Political Science from the University of Maine at Orono. In her free time she enjoys watching her three nieces grow up, enjoying time with friends and family as well as reading.
Noreen Hutcherson, CWIC
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Maine State Supplements For Ssi
Since 2015, a claimant of Supplemental Security Income can receive up to a maximum of $733 per month. In the state of Maine, a claimant may be eligible for a small additional payment on top of their monthly SSI payment. How much extra an individual can receive in benefits depends on their current living situation. Claimants living by themselves, with others or in a Medicaid facility can receive an additional $8-10 per month while individuals living a boarding home can receive an additional $217 to $234 per month.
This program is run by Maines Department of Health and Human Services. For assistance, contact your local office or call 287-3707.
Getting Legal Help With Maine Disability Benefits
Anyone facing the prospect of being unable to earn a living wage knows how important it is to be able to obtain disability benefits when they are so badly needed. But just because you have been told by your doctors you are disabled does not mean that the SSA will agree. It’s important to be able to present your case effectively, showing all the required documentation and having answers to any questions that may arise. In tough cases, it can require the representation of an experienced disability lawyer to present your case properly. If you are denied benefits, consult with a consult with a disability lawyer.
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Who Do I Contact In Maine About My Disability Application Or Appeal
After you submit your application, you can contact Maine Disability Determination Services for help. If your application is denied and you choose to request an appeal hearing, you can contact the Office of Hearings Operations with questions. Below is the contact information for the DDS office and OHO offices that cover Maine.
Disability Determination ServicesDepartment of Health and Human ServicesState House Station #116
Portland, ME 04101-4092
Phone: 877-701-2137
Why Is This Offered By Maine Medical Center
Maine Medical Center has a thirty-year history of providing employment services to people with disabilities. When the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 authorized the creation of Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach programs across the country, MMC Department of Vocational Services recognized the importance of providing “benefits counseling” services to people with disabilities receiving Social Security Disability Insurance , Supplemental Security Income , Medicare and MaineCare. This information is critical to help people make informed decisions about their benefits when considering a return to work.MMC DVS applied for and was awarded the BPAO cooperative agreement from the Social Security Administration to provide this service to the State of Maine from 2001-2006. From 2006-2012 continued services were possible through the awarding of SSA’s Work Incentives Planning and Assistance cooperative agreement to MMC. Although SSA WIPA funding ended in July 2012, continued services were made possible through utilization of other federal funding and strong state support. In September 2013 SSA’s Work Incentives Planning and Assistance cooperative agreement was again awarded to MMC DVS.
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How Do I Apply For And Get Disability Benefits In Maine
You apply for disability benefits through a local Social Security office , and your application is reviewed to make sure that you have meet all of the technical requirements for benefits . Then your application is sent to a claims examiner at Maine Disability Determination Services , a state agency in Augusta, for a medical decision to be made on your records.
If the claims examiner at DDS denies your claim, you can ask that it be reconsidered by a different claims examiner. If it’s denied again, you can request a hearing, and your claim will be sent to the Office of Hearings Operations , a branch of Social Security in Portland, where a judge will decide your case at a disability hearing.
Maine Ssdi Hearing Wait Times & Approval By Office
Maine is part of the Social Security Administrations Region 1, which is headquartered in Boston. There are 1 hearing office in Maine. You can see waiting times for hearings & case dispositions for each office below, with comparisons to Maine and National Averages.
The Hearing Wait Time is, on average, how long it takes in between when an applicant asks for a Hearing and when that hearing occurs.
The Average Disposition Time is, on average, the number of days in between when an applicant asks for a Hearing, and when the Administrative Law Judge who hears their case actually makes a decision on that case.
The Average Approval Rate is percentage at which cases are decided in favor of the applicant.
| Hearing Wait Time | |
|---|---|
| 307 | 64.5% |
As the table here and the chart below indicate, in 2020, the Portland office has a very short wait time compared to the national average. However, their approval rate is 13.4% above the national average.
These waiting times and approval rates only highlight how important it can be to have a qualified representative such as an Advocate from Citizens Disability working on your case. The Government Accountability Office has done research that shows that an applicant who has a representative has an up to three times greater chance of being approved than a person who goes it alone.
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