5. Who can sign the EAEDC medical report?
To prove disability, you will need a completed medical report form. 106 C.M.R. § 703.191(A)(1). See Appendix A.
DTA will give you a medical report to bring to a health care provider to be filled out. The report must be signed by a "competent medical authority," which includes:
- physicians, osteopaths, nurse practitioners or psychologists licensed by the state of Massachusetts or connected with the Veterans Administration (VA), Department of Public Health or Department of Mental Health. 106 C.M.R. § 701.600.
- Nurse midwives can certify pregnancy-related incapacity.
- Advanced practice psychiatric nurses (MS APRN) or psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists can certify psychiatric or mental health disabilities.
- Physician assistants can complete the medical report but a physician ("medical doctor or M.D."), psychologist, nurse practitioner or osteopath must co-sign it.
In this Guide, the term "doctor" is intended to include all professionals listed above as competent medical authority.
You or your provider can also submit other documents that show you are disabled with the medical report or after the report has been received by DTA. This could include an evaluation by a licensed clinical social worker or any other reports, tests, or evaluations.
Advocacy Reminders:
- If you do not have a doctor who can complete the medical report, ask your DTA worker to refer you to one and to schedule an appointment for you.
- If the medical report was not completed by a competent medical authority, your DTA worker should offer to help you find one.
- Remember to sign the “Authorization to Release Information” section on page two of the medical report to allow your doctor to complete the report.
DTA Policy Guidance:
DTA Online Guide: EAEDC > Categorical Requirements > Disability > Medical Report