Speeding Up Disability Benefits -- Social Security To Pay Doctors $15 For Electronic Transmission Of Records

New York Lawyer Steven J. Schwartzapfel says move could cut significant backlog of cases, helping disabled persons in desperate need of benefits.

New York (PRWEB) January 21, 2010 -- A New York lawyer whose firm handles Social Security disability claims is applauding a move by federal officials to pay health care providers $15 to electronically submit applicants' medical records.

Steven J. Schwartzapfel

Disabled New Yorkers should not have to wait months or years to have their disability claim considered.

"We are glad to see Social Security officials making this change and believe this step should have been taken months ago," said Steven J. Schwartzapfel, an attorney with the New York law firm of Schwartzapfel Truhowsky Marcus P.C. "Disabled New Yorkers should not have to wait months or years to have their disability claim considered."

The Social Security Administration says it has a backlog of disability claims, in part because it makes millions of requests each year for patient records. Medical records are used to make disability determinations for as many as 2.6 million people annually when they apply for benefits. The wait for medical records, especially paper documents, can take months, putting disabled applicants' cases in limbo.

The Social Security Administration placed a notice in the Jan. 11 Federal Register which stated, "We are experiencing a significant increase in the number of initial claims for disability insurance benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments on the basis of disability, and we expect this trend to continue."

Social Security officials hope the $15 reimbursement for transmitting medical records will speed up the process and cut down on its case backlog.

"We will be able to request and receive medical information within minutes, rather than the days or months it may take to receive medical evidence by traditional methods," the notice states.

"Given the significant delays, even with this change, we encourage claimants seeking disability benefits to obtain the advice of a qualified attorney who can help guide your claim through the Social Security system," Schwartzapfel said.

About Schwartzapfel Partners

Schwartzapfel Truhowsky Marcus P.C. is one of the most prominent and well-respected plaintiff personal injury and Social Security disability firms in New York. With more than 150 years of combined experience and highly competent co-counsel throughout the country, Schwartzapfel Partners serves all your legal needs.

The firm concentrates in all types of personal injury litigation, including Social Security disability, motor vehicle accidents (auto, truck, motorcycle, taxi), medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, wrongful death, defective products and drugs, construction accidents, workplace injuries and workers’ compensation. To contact the law firm, call 1.800.966.4999 or go to www.fightingforyou.com for more information.

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