On Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, 2016, the Social Security Administration (SSA) partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to launch an online eHealth Exchange to speed up the disability process for veterans and their families.
The exchange will expedite pending disability cases by allowing local SSA locations to receive medical documents electronically directly from VA facilities, solving the problem of records lag times.
The SSA asks for almost 15 million medical records per year from healthcare organizations and providers. Medical documentation is an integral part of the SSA’s disability decision making process for all applicants. In the past documentation had to be faxed or mailed to each office.
With the ability to receive documents electronically, the secure process is automated and does not require people to handle requests. Medical documents can be transferred from the VA to the SSA in just minutes, unlike in the past when the SSA could wait weeks or months to receive paper documentation.
The SSA is able to receive electronic records from more than 50 health partners and nearly 7,000 Department of Defense locations throughout the U.S.
For veterans and their loved ones, this partnership means faster disability decisions, resulting in quicker disability eligibility and financial assistance. It also benefits the VA and SSA by saving money and time.
Disability benefits can assist veterans who have been injured while serving in the armed forces. It can offset lost income due to an inability to work, steep medical bills for treatment of injuries related to service and can provide a financial safety net.
If you are a veteran and need to file for Social Security Disability benefits, contact our experienced disability attorneys. Dayes Law Firm PC is committed to guiding veterans through the application process. We can also help you through the appeals process if your application has been denied.
We provide a complimentary consultation to review your claim. Contact us to set up your appointment today.
Call 1-800-503-2000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form.