Can out-of-state doctor certify EDD SDI claim during residential treatment?

Yes, an out-of-state doctor CAN certify your SDI claim! I went through something similar last year when I needed treatment at a specialized facility in Oregon. The key is that the doctor must be licensed to practice medicine - doesn't matter which state. They'll need to complete the standard medical certification portion of the SDI claim (either online or paper form DE 2501). Just make sure they include their medical license number and all required details about your condition and treatment plan. The EDD reviews these claims case-by-case, but there's no requirement that your physician must be in California.

my cousin tried to do this with a doctor in nevada and edd kept asking for more paperwork it was a huge headache! they wanted like 3 different forms and kept saying they couldnt verify the doctors credentials

I had a similar situation when I went to a specialized treatment center in Utah last year. Here's what you need to know: 1. The out-of-state doctor MUST be licensed (any state is fine) 2. They need to complete the entire medical portion of your claim form 3. Make sure they provide their medical license number 4. They should use proper diagnosis codes 5. The treatment facility needs to be accredited/licensed I recommend you contact the treatment facility NOW and explain you'll need them to complete SDI paperwork. Many out-of-state facilities are familiar with California SDI claims because we have one of the few state disability programs. Have them confirm they're willing to complete the necessary certification. Also, I'd suggest filing your claim online through SDI Online right before you leave, then having the facility complete their portion after you arrive. This prevents delays in starting your claim.

Idk about other states but for me EDD wanted a BUNCH of extra documentation when my specialist was in Oregon. I had to appeal twice and it was so frustrating!! Eventually got approved but took like 2 extra months.

I'm going through something like this right now with my SDI claim and it's INFURIATING!!! Been waiting 6 weeks now because my doctor is in Nevada and EDD keeps saying they need to "verify the medical provider information." Meanwhile I have bills piling up and can't get anyone on the phone!!! The system is broken.

i didnt even know you could get disability for addiction treatment thats actually really good to know

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I called the treatment center and they said they regularly complete disability paperwork for patients from different states, including California. They have a staff doctor who will handle my certification after I arrive. I'm going to file my initial claim right before I leave as suggested. One more question - should I have my primary doctor here in California also submit something, or is just the treatment center doctor enough?

good luck with your treatment!!! thats a brave step ur taking

Wishing you all the best with your treatment journey! It sounds like you've got everything sorted out with the paperwork, which is one less thing to worry about. Just wanted to add that it's totally normal to feel nervous before starting residential treatment - you're taking such a positive step for your health and recovery. The fact that you're being so proactive about handling the disability claim shows you're really preparing well. Take care of yourself!

As someone who's navigated the EDD system recently, I wanted to add that it's really smart you're getting this sorted out ahead of time! One small tip - when you file your initial claim online, make sure to save/screenshot your confirmation number and any reference numbers they give you. The treatment facility's doctor will likely need these when they complete their portion of the certification. Also, if you run into any issues during the process, don't hesitate to reach out to this community - there are clearly a lot of knowledgeable people here who are willing to help. Best of luck with your treatment program - you're making such a positive choice for your health!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who recently went through a similar situation! I had to use an out-of-state psychiatrist for my SDI claim when I was getting treatment in Nevada last year. The process went surprisingly smoothly once I made sure all the paperwork was complete. One thing that really helped was having a conversation with the facility's billing department before I arrived - they were able to walk me through exactly what forms they'd need and confirm they were comfortable with California's requirements. It sounds like you're already on the right track by calling ahead! The most important thing is that the doctor completes every single field on the medical certification - EDD tends to flag incomplete forms regardless of whether the doctor is in-state or out-of-state. You've got this, and kudos for being so proactive about both your treatment and the administrative side of things!

Hey @Alexis! I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I just went through something very similar. I had to get SDI certification from a doctor in Oregon when I was in treatment there for 8 weeks last fall. The key thing that made my process smooth was getting a detailed treatment plan from my California psychiatrist before I left - it included the diagnosis, recommended treatment duration, and explanation of why out-of-state residential care was medically necessary. When the Oregon facility's doctor completed my SDI forms, having that background documentation really helped establish continuity of care. EDD approved my claim without any issues or delays. It sounds like you're already doing everything right by coordinating with the facility ahead of time. One last tip - ask the treatment center if they can provide you with a copy of the completed medical certification for your records before they submit it to EDD. That way if there are any questions later, you'll have exactly what was submitted. Best of luck with your treatment journey - you're taking such an important step for your health!

Hey everyone! I'm relatively new to this community but wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in benefits administration. Reading through this thread, I'm really impressed by how thorough and accurate most of the advice has been! Just to reinforce what others have said - out-of-state medical certification is absolutely acceptable for California SDI. The key requirements are: 1) the physician must be licensed (any state), 2) complete all sections of the medical certification form, 3) provide proper diagnosis codes, and 4) include their license number. @Alexis, it sounds like you've got an excellent plan in place! One small addition to all the great advice already given - when you file your initial claim, make sure to select "yes" if asked whether you'll be receiving treatment outside of California. This helps set the right expectation with EDD from the start. The fact that your treatment facility is already familiar with handling disability paperwork from multiple states is a huge plus. Many facilities that specialize in residential treatment are well-versed in these requirements since people travel from all over for specialized care. Wishing you the very best with your treatment journey - you're taking such a positive step, and it's clear you're approaching it with great preparation and planning!

Hi @Alexis! As someone who's new to this community, I just wanted to say how impressed I am by all the detailed and helpful advice you've received here. It's clear you're in great hands with this group! I don't have personal experience with out-of-state SDI claims, but I wanted to add one small thing that might be helpful - since you mentioned you're feeling nervous about the whole process, consider creating a simple checklist or timeline for yourself with all the key steps mentioned in this thread. Things like: call treatment facility (✓), file initial claim before leaving, get confirmation numbers, etc. Sometimes having everything written down in one place can help reduce that pre-treatment anxiety. It sounds like you've done an amazing job preparing for both the practical and medical aspects of your treatment. The fact that you're being so proactive about handling the SDI paperwork while also focusing on your recovery shows real strength and planning. Wishing you all the best with your 12-week program - you've got this!