FAQ

Trying to write the Medical Summary Report (MSR), a key component of the SOAR approach, can seem challenging at first. Everyone is going to have a different approach to writing that works for them.

We recommend starting with the Medical Summary Report Worksheet as a template.  Work on only one section in each sitting.  Breaking it up into smaller chunks can take some of the pressure off of writing a long report. It may also help if you don't set a target length. Think about just writing a letter that tells all you know about someone's Personal History, Psychiatric History, or Functional Information. If you can get a couple sections complete and then put them together, you will likely see that the MSR comes together easier than you anticipated.

For more information about Medical Summary Reports, see the SOAR Library.

We recommend using headings throughout the MSR to divide information so that DDS can quickly find the evidence they are looking for. These headings typically include: personal history, employment, physical health, psychiatric health, and functional information. You can include sub-headings in these categories to further organize the information if you’d like.

Naturally, information may overlap in some of the sections. For instance, in legal history you may talk about how an applicant’s incarceration was related to their symptoms and then add extra information about symptoms in medical history. In these areas of overlap, there’s no need to repeat information you have already provided. By avoiding excessive repetition in the MSR and grouping the information using broad headings, we can help walk DDS through the documentation of how the applicant meets the disability criteria.

The SOAR TA Center is available to review Medical Summary Reports from SOAR practitioners. To submit your MSR for review, email soar@prainc.com and attach your MSR with the applicant’s name, birthdate, and Social Security number removed for HIPAA compliance.

Yes. By signing the MSR, the AMS is only indicating that they believe the included information to be true. It is likely that the provider has spoken with the individual about his/her mental illness, seen some records to that effect, and/or has witnessed some symptoms. In order to treat a patient properly for physical health conditions, the provider would need to be aware of medications and mental health treatment.  If the doctor does not want to sign off on anything that does not pertain to their specific field of practice, they could sign a reduced MSR that does not include reference to the other treating sources, but does include reference to all of the conditions that the doctor feels comfortable attesting to.