kaybee

My husband went for an independent medical exam at the request of SSA. It lasted almost 2 hours. It sort of supported what the neuro wants to do for my husband so we considered it a second opinion. My husband is facing 3 major surgeries over the next year although I imagine the recovery will make it longer. There is no promise he'll ever return to a 'normal' lifestyle as indicated in one of his dr. reports. Incidentally, the physical part of the exam was fairly extensive and put my husband 'out of commission' for most of the following week.

Anyhow, the IME did go so far as to say he didn't know how SSDI was going to handle this - if they would do a temporary award of disability until he recovers from his surgeries completely or what. He also said, 'Well, you definitely can't return to your old job'. That statement in itself can hurt dh's case more than anything. I would love to see the report but won't find out what was written for a few more weeks. The IME did offer some advice that I think is worth sharing:


When awarded SSDI and eventually medicare, keep your current healthcare coverage (if any) in addition to the medicare. We figure that my dh will reach his lifetime benefit possibly in the next 5 years, then what? Hopefully with an award, he won't have to worry about it.