Message from the Claims Administrator
December 02, 2004
Dear Claimants and Counsel:
As you know, claims are reviewed in the order in which they are received. This includes the initial reviews and any subsequent reviews to resolve deficiencies in the original submission. Because most initial claim submissions are deficient, the majority of the claims being reviewed by the Claims Office at this time are re-reviews.
For your information, the most common deficiency noted in claims for benefits is missing medical records. Submitting all your medical records with your initial claim or any request for a re-review can help prevent or cure this deficiency. To receive the most efficient review of your claim, your submission should include all underlying office charts, radiology/pathology reports and laboratory test results from any health care professional that provided you with medical care. Examples of health care professionals whose records that should be submitted, in addition to the records from any required board-certified physician, include those from your treating physician, your pharmacy, your dentist (for dry mouth or oral ulcers), your optometrist or ophthalmologist (for dry eyes), a chiropractor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, physical therapist and any other specialist that may have examined you.
Jean M. Eliason
Claims Administrator for the Revised Settlement Program