EDD SDI coverage for surgery in foreign country - can I file a claim?

I went thru something similar last year. EDD is SUPER strict about medical providers and i dont think they'll accept foreign doctors paperwork. You need a cali-licensed doctor to sign the disability forms. My cousin tried to get disability after emergency appendix surgery in Mexico and they denied him!!

The previous comment isn't entirely accurate. You can potentially qualify for SDI benefits even with surgery performed outside the US, but you need to follow specific steps: 1. The medical provider needs to complete the medical certification portion of the claim (DE 2501) - it doesn't matter where they're located, but the form must be properly completed 2. You'll need certified translations of all medical documentation if not in English 3. You'll need a California-licensed doctor to verify your condition and recovery needs when you return 4. File your claim within 49 days of disability beginning The key is having proper documentation and a California doctor who will certify your recovery period. I've helped clients successfully navigate this situation.

my freind had this exact issue!!!! he had knee surgery in mexico. what he did was saw his regular doctor in cali before he left and then again when he got back. the doctor knew about the surgery plan and agreed to sign off on the disability paperwork. he got approved no problem.

As someone who's worked with disability claims, I can confirm that a California-licensed physician needs to certify your disability, but they don't necessarily need to perform the procedure. The important parts are: 1. Your condition must prevent you from performing your regular work 2. You need proper medical documentation of the procedure and recovery needs 3. A California physician must certify your disability I recommend scheduling an appointment with your California doctor before you leave to document your condition, then again immediately upon return so they can verify your post-surgical status and recovery timeline. Make sure to bring all surgical records and have them professionally translated.

just wondering why your going all the way to colombia? have you checked medi-cal or covered california? or even county medical services? sometimes they can cover surgeries like this if your income is low enough

Have you been able to reach EDD directly to ask about this? I had a similar situation (not surgery but medical treatment abroad) and spent WEEKS trying to get through to someone who could give me a clear answer. I finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual EDD agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending hours on hold. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. The agent I spoke with was able to tell me exactly what documentation I needed for my specific situation, which saved me from getting denied.

BE CAREFUL with the dates!! The 7-day waiting period starts when your disability begins, not when you file. So if your surgery is June 5 for example, your SDI benefits would start June 12 (if approved). Don't miss the 49-day deadline to file!!!

I think everyones missing something important here - EDD will want to know WHY you couldnt get the surgery in california. I had a similiar issue and they kept asking why i chose to go elsewhere. They might see it as an elective choice rather than medical necessity, which could affect your claim. Just be prepared to document the cost difference and that you couldnt afford US prices. Also bring PROOF of the actual surgery (not just a doctors note) like surgical reports, hospital admission paperwork, medication prescriptions, etc.

Update: I spoke with my primary doctor today and he said he'd be willing to examine me before I leave and document my hernia, then see me when I return to verify the surgery and recovery needs. He said he could complete the medical certification form based on the surgical reports if I get everything translated properly. Thank you all for the advice! Still nervous about the whole process, but feeling more confident now.

good luck man!!! get everything in writing and take pics of EVERYTHING. dont trust that theyll keep track of your paperwork lol

That's great news that your primary doctor is willing to help! Just wanted to add a few more tips from my experience helping people with similar situations: 1. Make sure to get the surgical center's contact information in case EDD needs to verify anything directly 2. Ask your Colombian surgeon to include specific details about work restrictions (like no lifting over 10 lbs, no bending, etc.) in their report - EDD loves specifics 3. Consider getting a letter from your employer confirming your job duties require physical work that would be restricted post-surgery 4. Keep all your travel documents (boarding passes, passport stamps) as proof of timeline The fact that your primary doctor is documenting everything before and after should really strengthen your case. Good luck with the surgery and recovery!

One more thing to consider - make sure you understand Colombia's medical record system and how to get copies of everything you'll need. Some countries have different documentation standards than what EDD expects. I'd recommend asking the Colombian surgical center upfront what records they provide post-surgery and if they can format them in a way that includes all the details California might want (procedure codes, recovery timeline, work restrictions, etc.). Also, find out about their policy for providing additional documentation if EDD requests more info later - you don't want to be stuck trying to get extra paperwork from abroad months after your surgery. The more prepared you are on the documentation side, the smoother your SDI claim should go.