[Anneinside]

Last week I received a form for my psychiatrist to fill out to evaluate whether I am still eligible for my disability insurance income. They do this every 18 months or so. It makes me so anxious. I have been lucky. I have SSD and my disability insurance so I am able have a decent life. Now I am afraid... first the insurance company is evaluating me. Last time they did they initially refused my claim but my pdoc and tdoc advocated for me and they changed their minds. ..But now, today, I received an evaluation form from Social Security. It is only a one page form with six questions but the outcome on this form is for making the decision of whether there will be a full evaluation.

Both my sources of income are evaluating whether to continue my income. I am so worried and upset. I filled out the papers honestly but I know every insurance company and SS want to reduce their costs by cutting off people. Tomorrow I will make copies and drop off the originals at my doctor's office for her to complete the physician's part. Then I have to just sit and wait, and wait, and wait, until a letter or a check comes.

[moremi]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

Last week I received a form for my psychiatrist to fill out to evaluate whether I am still eligible for my disability insurance income. They do this every 18 months or so. It makes me so anxious. I have been lucky. I have SSD and my disability insurance so I am able have a decent life. Now I am afraid... first the insurance company is evaluating me. Last time they did they initially refused my claim but my pdoc and tdoc advocated for me and they changed their minds. ..But now, today, I received an evaluation form from Social Security. It is only a one page form with six questions but the outcome on this form is for making the decision of whether there will be a full evaluation.

Both my sources of income are evaluating whether to continue my income. I am so worried and upset. I filled out the papers honestly but I know every insurance company and SS want to reduce their costs by cutting off people. Tomorrow I will make copies and drop off the originals at my doctor's office for her to complete the physician's part. Then I have to just sit and wait, and wait, and wait, until a letter or a check comes.

I believe for disability benefits thats the norm. They do that to everyone. Dont worry it should all be just fine. I am expecting it because my mother in law told me to. As long as you are doing what your supposed to be doing as far as with your treatment and trying to get stable you are fine. I believe they are weeding out the people who are not complying with treatment. Those who arent trying to get better just trying to collect a check.

[Anneinside]

I have had a re-evaluation of my disability insurance every year or two but it still worries me. As for SSD, I have been on it since 2006 or 2007, can't remember which and have never had a re-evaluation. That makes it more distressing as I don't know what to expect. My disability insurance once had me see a psychiatrist for a re-eval who stated that I could do a job if I didn't have to deal with the public or supervision and had accommodations. My pdoc and tdoc had to contact them and object. I even saw a lawyer who said he could fight it but then he would get 1/3 of my money as long as I had disability. Wow! Of course I don't know what the outcome will be from the evaluations. For now I'll just deal with feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I don't know when they will make their decisions or how/if they'll inform me. Does SS tell you the outcome of their evaluations? Does anyone know or do you just keep getting the checks...or not.

[moremi]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

I have had a re-evaluation of my disability insurance every year or two but it still worries me. As for SSD, I have been on it since 2006 or 2007, can't remember which and have never had a re-evaluation. That makes it more distressing as I don't know what to expect. My disability insurance once had me see a psychiatrist for a re-eval who stated that I could do a job if I didn't have to deal with the public or supervision and had accommodations. My pdoc and tdoc had to contact them and object. I even saw a lawyer who said he could fight it but then he would get 1/3 of my money as long as I had disability. Wow! Of course I don't know what the outcome will be from the evaluations. For now I'll just deal with feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I don't know when they will make their decisions or how/if they'll inform me. Does SS tell you the outcome of their evaluations? Does anyone know or do you just keep getting the checks...or not.

Im not sure I will try to find out for you when I talk to my mother in law next.

[faerie_moon_x]

I hope this goes well for you. I don't know much about SSD but I do know they have to re-evaluate it. I think it's normal to be nervous when you rely on it.

[hamster-bamster]

Oh, I would be nervous as heck, too! Hope it goes well for you - hope it is just a formality.

[Anneinside]

I talked to my case manager about my anxieties and she said she would call about it next Thursday to find out the outcome. She had spoken to several other case managers and they stated their clients often didn't hear anything unless they were going to have the complete evaluation. Afraid it hasn't helped my mental state but maybe it will be better after next Thursday.

[faerie_moon_x]

It's awesome how these organizations leave clients hanging when they know they have mental illness and anxiety already... sheesh... >.<

Hopefully she hears back and you're not left hanging.

[thickntired]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

Does SS tell you the outcome of their evaluations? Does anyone know or do you just keep getting the checks...or not.

Hi Anne I.,

Wow, I just got on SSDI and I have never heard of a re-eval. I wonder if I will have one as well. Do you know if that is standard?

About your question, for my first mental eval. I faxed a signed letter to my social work case mng to release all notes on my eval to my pdoc who then gave them to me. I don't think they will release to you as a client. I wanted to do this in case I was refused SSDI, so I could review my notes and because I'm nosey.

Peace & Hugs

TnT

[hamster-bamster]

Anne, how is it going with the eval?

[Anneinside]

Still waiting. I called the nurse's line on Friday and asked them to check and see if the eval for the insurance company had been completed by the doctor. I haven't heard anything yet. My case manager called social security and left a message asking for information... she hasn't heard anything yet either... I wait. Thanks for checking up on me. I appreciate it.

[Anneinside]

Still no answers. I am going downhill. Teary, trouble thinking (couldn't remember how to close an app on my iPod - and it only has 1 button), problems concentrating, very tired-no energy, sleeping 4 to 6 hours a night, and some, not many, passive suicidal thoughts. I saw my tdoc yesterday and we looked up when I had the last eval with the insurance company and found that I received the paperwork about 3 weeks before ending up in the hospital. It is really stressful for me. I feel like crap. I do have ECT scheduled for next Wednesday so I hope I can keep from sliding more before then.

I can't remember who asked, but I have been told that for SSD, you can expect a re-eval every 3 to 6 years. First they send a double sided 1 page form for you to fill out. Then depending on what they think of your answers the eval is dropped or you go to a complete eval. I did the one page thing and am now waiting for the response.