Medical Release Form (SSA-827): Authorizing Your Records
TL;DR: Form SSA-827 authorizes the SSA to request your medical records from each provider you list. You sign one for each doctor, hospital, clinic, and therapist. List every provider who has treated your conditions in the last 5 years, including ERs and urgent care. The authorization is valid for 12 months. If you miss a provider, the SSA never gets that evidence, which can lead to denial.
The SSA-827 is a short form, but it carries enormous weight. It is the legal authorization that lets the SSA collect your medical records from every provider you have seen. If a provider is not listed, the SSA will not contact them, and that evidence disappears from your claim.
What the SSA-827 Authorizes
By signing this form, you give the SSA and your state Disability Determination Services (DDS) office permission to:
- Request and receive your medical records
- Request and receive your mental health records
- Request information about your ability to perform work-related activities
- Contact your providers directly for clarification
The authorization covers records from the date of your alleged onset through the present. It is valid for 12 months from the date you sign it.
How to Fill Out the SSA-827
Section 1: Your Information
Your name, Social Security number, and date of birth. Make sure these match exactly what is on your disability application. Mismatches cause delays.
Section 2: Source of Information
This is where you list the provider whose records you are authorizing. You will complete a separate SSA-827 for each provider. Include:
| Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Name of source | Doctor's name or facility name (or both) |
| Address | Full street address of the office or facility |
| Phone number | Office phone number |
| Fax number | If available (speeds up record collection) |
| Patient ID or account number | Your medical record number at that facility |
Section 3: Signature and Date
Sign and date the form. If someone else is completing the application on your behalf, they sign as your representative and include their relationship to you.
Who to Include: A Complete Checklist
Go through this list and make sure every applicable provider has an SSA-827:
| Provider Type | Why They Matter |
|---|---|
| Primary care physician | Overall treatment history, referrals, medication management |
| Specialists (neurologist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, etc.) | Condition-specific diagnosis and treatment |
| Psychiatrist | Mental health diagnosis, medication management |
| Psychologist/therapist/counselor | Therapy notes documenting symptoms and progress |
| Hospitals (inpatient stays) | Surgical records, discharge summaries |
| Emergency rooms | Acute episodes document severity |
| Urgent care clinics | Additional treatment records |
| Physical therapists | Functional assessments, range of motion testing |
| Occupational therapists | Work-related functional capacity |
| Chiropractors | Spinal treatment and imaging |
| Pain management clinics | Pain treatment, injection records |
| Imaging centers | X-rays, MRIs, CT scans |
| Labs | Blood work, diagnostic testing |
| VA hospitals/clinics | If you are a veteran with service-connected conditions |
| Community health centers | Treatment for uninsured/underinsured |
| Home health agencies | If you receive home health services |
How to Find All Your Providers
Most people undercount their providers. Use these sources to build a complete list:
- Insurance claims history: Your insurance company can provide an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) summary listing every provider who filed a claim
- Pharmacy records: Your pharmacy can list every prescribing doctor
- Patient portals: MyChart, FollowMyHealth, and similar portals show visit history
- Your phone calendar: Check for appointment entries
- Bank/credit card statements: Look for medical office charges
- Ask your primary care doctor: They often have a record of referrals they made
What Happens After You Submit the SSA-827
Your state DDS office sends record requests to each provider you listed. Here is the typical timeline:
- DDS sends requests (within 1 to 2 weeks of receiving your case)
- Providers respond (varies: 2 weeks to 3 months depending on the provider)
- DDS follows up on non-responsive providers (after 4 to 6 weeks)
- DDS reviews records as they come in
Some providers are slow to respond, which delays your entire case. You can speed things up by requesting your own copies of records and submitting them directly to the DDS office. Call the DDS and ask for a fax number or mailing address for additional evidence.
Speeding Up the Record Collection Process
Request Your Own Records
You have a legal right to your medical records under HIPAA. Contact each provider's medical records department and request copies. Most charge a per-page fee (typically $0.25 to $1.00), though some states cap charges for disability claims. Electronic records through patient portals are usually free.
Submit Records Directly
You can submit your own medical records to the DDS at any time during the review process. Call your state DDS office, ask for your examiner's name and fax number, and send records directly. Always include your name, SSN, and claim number on every page.
Provide Fax Numbers
If you know a provider's fax number, include it on the SSA-827. DDS offices often use fax for record requests, and having the number ready speeds up the initial request.
Common SSA-827 Mistakes
- Listing only current providers: Include providers you have seen in the last 5 years, even if you no longer see them
- Forgetting ER visits: Emergency room records document acute episodes and pain severity
- Wrong addresses: Doctors change practices. Verify current addresses before submitting
- Not including mental health providers: Even if your primary claim is physical, mental health records support your case
- Forgetting imaging centers: If your MRI was done at a separate facility, list that facility
How ClaimPath Helps With Medical Releases
ClaimPath's Form Auto-Population generates completed SSA-827 forms for each provider based on your intake answers. Our AI Intake walks you through a comprehensive provider checklist so you do not miss anyone. Your forms come ready to sign and submit.
Start your application now and make sure every provider gets an SSA-827.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about medical release form (ssa-827): authorizing your records?
TL;DR: Form SSA-827 authorizes the SSA to request your medical records from each provider you list. You sign one for each doctor, hospital, clinic, and therapist. List every provider who has treated your conditions in the last 5 years, including ERs and urgent care.
What the SSA-827 Authorizes?
By signing this form, you give the SSA and your state Disability Determination Services (DDS) office permission to:
How to Fill Out the SSA-827?
Your name, Social Security number, and date of birth. Make sure these match exactly what is on your disability application. Mismatches cause delays.
Who to Include: A Complete Checklist?
Go through this list and make sure every applicable provider has an SSA-827:
How to Find All Your Providers?
Most people undercount their providers. Use these sources to build a complete list:
What Happens After You Submit the SSA-827?
Your state DDS office sends record requests to each provider you listed. Here is the typical timeline:
What is the process for speeding up the record collection process?
You have a legal right to your medical records under HIPAA. Contact each provider's medical records department and request copies. Most charge a per-page fee (typically $0.25 to $1.00), though some states cap charges for disability claims.