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Victoria Stark

EDD wants me to see doctor 110 miles away - can't drive that far due to condition. Help!

I'm so frustrated with EDD right now. They're trying to send me to an independent physician for a second opinion, but the doctor they chose is 110 miles away from my house. I can't drive that far due to my condition. Has anyone else dealt with this? What can I do?

I found a way to solve EDD doctor appointment location issues, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym7qGVgfdX0

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Ugh, that sucks! EDD can be such a pain sometimes. Have you tried calling them to explain your situation? Maybe they can find a closer doctor for you.

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I've been trying to call them for days, but I can never get through. It's so frustrating!

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Pro tip: call right when they open. I usually have better luck getting through that way.

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Thanks for the tip! I'll give that a try tomorrow morning.

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I found a way to actually get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ

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Sounds too good to be true. Is this legit?

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Yeah, it's totally legit. I was skeptical at first too, but it saved me hours of frustration. Worth every penny imo.

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How long did it take for them to call you back?

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It took about 2 hours for me, but I've heard it can vary depending on how busy they are. Still way better than trying to call yourself!

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I've been in the same boat, OP. Here's what I did: 1. Document everything. Write down why you can't travel that far. 2. Get a note from your current doctor explaining your limitations. 3. Call EDD (I know, easier said than done) and explain your situation calmly. 4. Ask if there are any closer doctors or if a virtual appointment is possible. 5. If they won't budge, ask to speak to a supervisor. Stay persistent! It took me a few tries, but I eventually got them to assign me a closer doctor. Good luck!

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Thank you so much for this detailed advice! I'll definitely follow these steps. It's good to know there's hope!

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This is solid advice. I'd add: keep a log of all your calls, including date, time, and who you spoke with. It can come in handy later.

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have u tried asking for a teleheath appointment? some doctors r doing that now bc of covid

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This is ridiculous! 110 miles?! The system is so broken. 🤬 I swear they make it hard on purpose to discourage people from claiming benefits.

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Preach! 👏 The whole system needs an overhaul.

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Idk man, I think they're just understaffed and overworked. Still sucks tho

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Contact your local state representative. They often have staff dedicated to helping constituents with EDD issues. They might be able to intervene on your behalf.

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That's a great idea! I hadn't even thought of that. Do you know how I would find out who my representative is?

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Just google "find my state representative" and your zip code. Should pop right up!

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lol edd at it again with the 🤡 behavior

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Hey OP, just wondering - what kind of condition do you have that prevents you from driving that far? No pressure to share if you're not comfortable, just curious if it's something I might be able to offer advice on.

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I have severe back pain that makes it difficult to sit for long periods. Even short car rides are painful for me.

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Oof, that's rough. Have you looked into getting a special cushion for car rides? My friend swears by hers for long trips.

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This happened to me last year. I ended up having to make the long drive and it was awful. Don't be like me - fight it!

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I'm so sorry you're going through this! I had a similar situation a few months ago. Here's what worked for me: I got a letter from my doctor specifically stating that long-distance travel would exacerbate my condition and could cause additional harm. Then I called EDD (used the early morning trick someone mentioned) and explained that requiring me to travel 110 miles violated the Americans with Disabilities Act reasonable accommodation requirements. I asked them to either find a closer doctor or allow a virtual consultation. It took three calls and speaking to two supervisors, but they eventually found me a doctor only 20 miles away. Don't give up - you have rights and they need to accommodate your disability!

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This is incredibly helpful advice! Thank you for mentioning the ADA accommodation angle - I didn't even think about that. It's really encouraging to hear that you were able to get them to find a closer doctor. I'm definitely going to get that letter from my doctor and use your exact approach. Three calls seems totally manageable compared to what I was expecting. Really appreciate you sharing your experience!

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