March 12, 2008
Why Do Physicians Charge to Write Medical Narrative Reports?
Why is it a doctor will say they will help you to get disability because they believe you are disabled but then require extra money just to write an attorney a letter?
–Shannon
Jonathan Ginsberg responds: Shannon, there is nothing inconsistent in a doctor's desire to help you and that doctor's need to earn a living and to provide for his family. Like lawyers and other service professionals, doctors earn their livings by selling their expertise and time. Writing letters uses up time and I, personally, have no issue with a physician asking for a reasonable fee when he performs a service for you – especially a service that you and your lawyer will use in a court proceeding.
Filed under Disability Lawyers, Disability hearings, Strategies for winning by
Comments on Why Do Physicians Charge to Write Medical Narrative Reports?
I would like to respond to this person about the Drs. writing a report for disability. I never regret having paying a physician for their work for me. The real crux of the problem is when they charge $120 and they write a
narrative report against you! This happened to me!
I feel very disheartened. I have no insurance and I am still repsonsible to pay this bill!
I think that Vicki raises a good point. If a doctor is going to charge a patient who has little or no money for a report, the least he can do is advise the patient if that report will not be helpful.
Vicki's comment raises another issue – sometimes doctors want to help but don't know how. This is where a good attorney can come in. This is also why I wrote my book the Disability Answer Guide" which contains sample forms already completed.
Lets not forget that doctors have spent a lot of time and money to become doctors, so of course they want to be well compensated.
Vicki: I'm sorry to hear that.
I recently went to a neurosurgeon for a consultation and surgery info. A letter for disability would cost $680.00!!!!!
It could also be that the chart notes aren't detailed enough and they need more information documented.
I understand that the lawyers and doctors have families to take care of but I feel that some disabilities (life threatening) should be handled in a timely manner. I suffer from liver failure, Kidney stones and a number of other illnesses. Just how sick do you have to be! And if the attorneys are overwhelmed with the number of cases they have or disability takes all these years they should not be so reluctant to let the client find an attorney who can lighten the burden. I sure dont want to die before I receive these benefits and leave my child with nothing.
If a physician does NOT disclose this cost to the patient prior to treatment, in writing, the physician is obligated to write this report free of charge. It is unethical to charge a fee that has not been previously disclosed to the patient in new patient forms prior to any treatment being offered. A physician loses the ability to charge this fee if he or she does not give the patient the choice of declining services based on this potential fee.