The Documented Patient helps patients and caregivers prepare appointments, generate chart‑ready summaries, and navigate disability benefits and insurance safely. Built by patients, for patients.
Most disability claims are denied because applicants don’t provide enough medical documentation.
Vital:
Your medical documentation must clearly connect your diagnosis, symptoms, and condition to
how they limit your ability to work.
Our Solution: Our tools guide you step by step to capture your medical history, daily experiences, and the impact on your ability to work. They turn your information into clear, benefits‑safe summaries that help your doctor document your disability for SSDI and protect your eligibility.
History • Experiences • Work‑related limits • Outcomes — short, respectful, and SSDI‑safe.
Describe how symptoms limit job‑like tasks consistently (concentration, persistence, pace; attendance; physical tolerances).
Tip: send this summary to your provider ahead of time so it’s part of your permanent record and they can prepare for your visit.
After your visit, use this section to capture what your provider said and what happens next. Record diagnoses, treatments, tests, referrals, medication changes, and any follow‑up plans.
Born from a 2015 health crisis and years of fighting to be believed, The Documented Patient exists so no patient has to navigate alone. Our mission is to provide the tools, information and resources you need to manage your own medical journey and ensure you receive the care and benefits you deserve.
Complete the HERO Form and send the pre‑appointment summary to your doctor so it becomes part of your official medical record, gives your provider time to review it beforehand, and helps keep the visit focused on your priorities. Can’t fill out the full HERO Form? Bring a concise one‑page summary of your symptoms, questions, medications and goals — our printable HERO form can serve as that one‑pager.
Turn daily notes into provider‑ready summaries and disability evidence. Use our upcoming Symptom Tracker to record your day‑to‑day experiences; track key factors like severity, duration, triggers, relief, and impact on work, plus notes. When you’re ready, generate a summary for your appointment or disability paperwork.
Guidance to use language carefully to avoid jeopardizing SSDI benefits and preserve your eligibility.
Prepare your provider with a clear, concise email before your visit. Fill out the fields below to generate a benefits‑safe summary. When you’re done, copy the text or open your email app to send.
SSDI‑safe framing: This tool helps you communicate medically relevant facts; it’s not medical or legal advice.
Legit programs that save money or protect benefits.
Links are provided for convenience; verify details on the official sites.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is tied to your work history and pays benefits to you and certain family members if you have a disability and worked enough years and paid Social Security taxes. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) doesn’t require a work history and provides cash assistance to people who are 65 or older or have a disability with limited income and resources.
Original Medicare lets you see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, usually requires 20% coinsurance after your deductible, and doesn’t cap annual out‑of‑pocket costs. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers; they typically have provider networks, include prescription drug coverage, set a yearly limit on your costs, and may offer extra benefits.
If you have limited income, you may qualify for Medicare’s Extra Help program, which helps pay Part D premiums and reduces your medication costs. You can also explore nonprofit organizations like NeedyMeds, which provides information on prescription assistance programs and other resources.
The Social Security Administration periodically reviews whether you still meet disability rules. To avoid losing benefits, keep up with visits to your doctors, follow prescribed treatments (or discuss alternatives with your provider), respond promptly to any SSA letters, report major changes in your condition, and complete all forms thoroughly. Consider using the HERO Form to prepare for each appointment and to ensure your doctor documents the most important details in your medical record.
Warning: You must be prepared to defend your disability case if your medical records don’t support your claim — yes, this does happen! Doctors often don’t document your regular notes with disability paperwork in mind. So you need to have that in mind and advocate for yourself.
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) offer free, unbiased counselling to help you understand Medicare and related benefits. You can also call your state’s Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office for help applying to programs like Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs.
Your body, your data, your voice. Use these to set respectful boundaries.
“I use recordings to keep details straight. Are you comfortable if I record for personal recall?” (Check state law.)
Some doctors perform pelvic exams under anesthesia without explicit consent. A pelvic exam is a physical examination of your reproductive organs. Many states require informed consent, but nearly half still allow such exams. Before surgery, insist that your consent forms clearly prohibit unnecessary pelvic exams and ask about your provider’s policy. Make sure to check the laws in your state and advocate for stronger protections.
Check the laws in your state.
Define who can access your medical record. Share only what’s needed for the goal at hand.
Coming soon!
Get launch updates, new tools, and patient‑first guides. Low volume. High value.
Educational/advocacy only. Tools are provided for educational purposes and do not constitute medical or legal advice.