THE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROBLEM

Under 20 CFR 404.1527, Social Security approves certain medical providers as "acceptable medical sources."  These providers can supply medical evidence to Social Security.  Unaccepted medical sources are not given a great deal of weight by Social Security decision makers.

The problem is that a lot of people now get their primary medical care from a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), not from a medical doctor (MD).  This can cause a problem when the patient tries to file a claim for Social Security disability.  They suddenly find that the nurse practitioner is not recognized by Social Security as an acceptable medical source.

Nurse practitioners are required to have a supervising doctor.  We recommend if you see a nurse practitioner regularly, you try to occasionally be seen by the supervising doctor.  Also, any forms filled out by the nurse practitioner should also be signed by the MD if they are going to be used as Social Security evidence.

You will run into the same problem with chiropractors and licensed professional counselors (LPC).  They are also not recognized by Social Security as accepted medical sources.

We are not suggesting that you should not see a nurse practitioner, chiropractor or LPC.  Just be aware that Social Security does not consider their evidence in the same way that they will consider a doctor's evidence.

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