• Welcome
• Why TSAC?

• Getting Started
• How Our Office Works
• Insurance
• Disability Policy
• Downloadable Forms

• Further Reading
• What is Rheumatology?
• Patient Story
• Resources and Links
• Medicare Updates

Disability Policy

The Seattle Arthritis Clinic is dedicated to providing the highest quality care possible. Please be aware that your time with your physician, nurse, provider or nurse practitioner is dedicated to evaluating, diagnosing and treating your medical and physical conditions. Although disability-type activity may be very important, it is not considered part of your healthcare treatment, and is not covered by your insurance plan. "Disability-type activity" includes such things as filling out forms for your employer or disability insurer, making a determination about your ability to do a job, communicating with an attorney, filling out any governmental form such as Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), ferry or parking handicap passes, etc.)

Your healthcare staff cannot become involved in any disability-related activity until you have seen your physician or nurse practitioner at least three times over at least 6 months. This is to insure we have developed as accurate a diagnostic picture and treatment approach as possible.

Disability Resource Center: We have developed a "Disability Resource Center" to facilitate assisting with disability-related needs. Upon your request, your physician, nurse, provider, nurse practitioner or medical assistant will give you a referral for the Disability Resource Center for you to schedule an appointment. There is a nominal charge for the initial assessment.

• The initial assessment charge may cover the entire cost for some relatively simple activities.
• Referral to the Disability Resource Center and assistance does not imply your physician or provider will support or endorse your request. This is simply the first step in trying to address your concerns. Your request will be given every professional consideration in the context of your health and treatment plan.

Physician or medical staff time: Some disability-related activity requiring minimal time can be accomplished readily and at no additional cost. However, any disability-related activity requiring physician, provider, nurse practitioner or staff time beyond this minimal time (less than 5 minutes) will incur a charge. A list of activities and charges is available to you, and we ask that you review and sign this with your understanding of these non-covered costs.

Our endorsement of any impairment, limitation or disability has professional implications for us: we need to know and understand your restrictions. This may require further assessment such as psychological or vocational evaluation; psychosocial, cognitive or rehabilitation testing; or an evaluation to measure your physical capacities. Some of these may be covered under your health insurance, some may not. We will make every reasonable effort to assist you to understand your costs in advance.