New doctor wants me to file separate PPD claim instead of extending existing one - will I face another waiting period?

Your primary care doctor is wrong about this. They absolutely CAN extend a disability claim started by another doctor - it happens all the time. The extension process (form DE 2525XX) can be completed by any licensed physician, not just the original one. The receipt number is for the same medical condition (PPD), so it doesn't matter which doctor started it. I'd go back to your PCP and show them the EDD website section about disability extensions. Your doctor might be confusing the rules with something else. You definitely shouldn't have to start a new claim with another waiting period for the same condition.

omg i had the EXACT same thing happen with my ppd claim last year!!! my obgyn went on maternity leave (ironic right?) and my new dr was like "nope gotta start fresh" but i called edd and they said thats BS. u dont need a new claim for same condition, just new medical certification. my new dr filled out the form after i explained this and it worked fine no waiting period

As someone who processes these claims, I can confirm that your doctor is incorrect. For the same medical condition (postpartum depression), you do NOT need to file a new claim when switching physicians. The correct process is: 1. Your new doctor should complete a "Physician/Practitioner's Supplementary Certificate" (DE 2525XX) 2. This form requires your current claim ID/receipt number 3. No new waiting period is required 4. Benefits continue seamlessly if submitted before your current claim expires Many medical offices aren't familiar with EDD procedures. Print the DE 2525XX form from the EDD website and bring it to your appointment - sometimes seeing the actual form helps doctors understand.

EDD is THE WORST with their confusing instructions!!! I swear they make this stuff complicated on purpose. When I had my baby in 2024, I went through 3 different doctors for my disability period and EACH TIME I was told different things. The whole system is designed to make people give up on getting their benefits. Your doctor probably isn't being difficult on purpose - EDD just doesn't explain their processes well to medical providers. WHATEVER YOU DO - don't file a new claim!!! You'll definitely lose that week to another waiting period if you do!!

When I couldn't get through to EDD for weeks about my extension issue (similar to yours), I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days redialing. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd The agent confirmed what others here said - for the same medical condition, your doctor just needs to submit the extension form with your existing claim number. I'd try explaining this again to your doctor, but if they still refuse, calling EDD directly might be your best option to get official clarification you can pass along to your doctor.

have u tried just going back to ur obgyn and asking them to extend it again until ur pcp figures out what theyre doing? might be easiest solution

I work at a medical office (not a doctor) and I can tell you this happens ALL THE TIME. Doctors get almost zero training on EDD paperwork and most offices have one person who kind of knows how it works. Your doctor might legitimately not know they can extend someone else's claim. Instead of arguing, maybe say something like "I spoke with EDD and they said for continuing the same condition, you just need to fill out form DE 2525XX rather than starting a new claim. I brought a copy of the form with me." Most doctors will appreciate you making it easier for them!

Just to follow up on what everyone has said - the law is clear that for the same disability (postpartum depression), you have ONE benefit period regardless of how many doctors treat you during that time. Starting a new claim would actually be improper since you're continuing treatment for the same condition. If your doctor still refuses after you provide the DE 2525XX form, ask to speak with the office manager or medical records department, as they often have more experience with disability paperwork. As a last resort, you can have EDD contact your doctor's office directly to explain the process.

I went through something similar with my anxiety/depression claim a few months ago. My psychiatrist moved practices and the new office initially told me the same thing - that they couldn't extend a claim started elsewhere. What worked for me was printing out the EDD FAQ page that specifically addresses this situation. There's a section that says "Any licensed physician can complete disability forms for your claim, regardless of who started it." I brought that page along with the DE 2525XX form to my appointment. The medical assistant actually thanked me because she said they get these situations all the time but weren't sure of the correct procedure. Now they know for future patients! Sometimes it's just a matter of the office staff not being familiar with EDD rules rather than the doctor being difficult. Hang in there with your PPD recovery - the stress of dealing with paperwork definitely doesn't help, but you've got this! 💙

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my maternity disability claim! My original doctor retired mid-claim and I was so worried about having to start over. What I learned is that you can actually call EDD's disability customer service line (1-800-480-3287) and ask them to send a letter directly to your new doctor's office explaining the extension process. The EDD rep I spoke with said they do this regularly when there are misunderstandings between patients and medical offices about claim procedures. They'll fax or mail official documentation to your doctor explaining that they can absolutely extend an existing claim for the same medical condition using form DE 2525XX. This might be helpful if bringing the forms yourself doesn't work - sometimes doctors are more receptive when the information comes directly from the government agency rather than from patients. The waiting time to get through can be brutal, but it might save you from having to file an unnecessary new claim and losing that week of benefits. Hope this helps and wishing you the best with your PPD recovery! ❤️

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress while managing PPD - the last thing you need is confusing paperwork adding to your worries! I just wanted to add that if you do end up needing to call EDD directly, try calling right when they open at 8am or during lunch hours (12-1pm) when call volume might be slightly lower. Also, keep detailed notes of any conversations you have with your doctor's office about this, including dates and who you spoke with. If there are any issues later, having that documentation can be really helpful. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about the DE 2525XX form - your doctor absolutely can and should be able to extend your existing claim for the same condition. You're advocating for yourself really well by asking these questions here first. Don't let anyone pressure you into filing a new claim when an extension is the correct procedure! Hope your appointment goes smoothly and you can get this sorted out quickly. 💪

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share that I just went through this exact situation last month! My therapist left her practice right in the middle of my disability claim for depression, and the new therapist initially said the same thing - that she couldn't extend someone else's claim. What finally worked was when I explained that I wasn't asking her to take over the original claim, but rather to provide medical certification that my condition was ongoing. I framed it as "I need you to confirm that I'm still unable to work due to the same condition" rather than "extend this claim." Sometimes it's just about the wording! I also brought a highlighted copy of the DE 2525XX form with the relevant sections marked, and she was much more comfortable once she could see exactly what information was being requested. The whole process ended up being really straightforward once we got past the initial confusion. Don't give up! Your doctor really can do this, and you definitely shouldn't have to start over with a new waiting period for the same ongoing condition. The fact that so many people here have dealt with this successfully shows it's absolutely doable.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since it sounds so similar to yours! I just went through a doctor transition during my anxiety/depression disability claim about 6 weeks ago. My original psychiatrist moved out of state and the new one at the clinic told me the exact same thing - that they couldn't extend a claim started by someone else. What really helped was when I called EDD first to get the official language, then went back to my doctor with a printed email confirmation from EDD stating that "any licensed physician treating the same medical condition can complete form DE 2525XX to extend benefits." Having it in writing from EDD themselves made all the difference - the doctor's office couldn't argue with the official source. I also made sure to schedule the appointment well before my claim expiration date to avoid any gaps. The whole process ended up taking less than 15 minutes once we had the correct information, and my benefits continued seamlessly. You're absolutely doing the right thing by questioning this! Don't let anyone pressure you into filing a new claim and losing that week of benefits when a simple extension is all you need. The stress of dealing with incorrect information while managing PPD is horrible, but you're advocating for yourself perfectly. Hang in there! 💜

I'm new here but wanted to chime in since I literally just dealt with this exact situation two weeks ago! My primary care doctor said the same thing about not being able to extend another doctor's claim for my postpartum anxiety. What worked for me was printing out the EDD Disability Insurance handbook section that specifically talks about physician changes during a claim. There's a clear statement that says "You may receive treatment from different physicians during your disability period without affecting your claim." I highlighted that part along with the section explaining the DE 2525XX form. When I showed this to my doctor, she immediately understood and said "Oh! I thought you were asking me to take over someone else's medical decisions, but you just need me to assess your current condition." The whole thing was resolved in about 5 minutes once she realized what was actually being asked. Your doctor is definitely wrong about needing a new claim - you'd only file a new claim if you had completely recovered and then developed a different condition later. Since you're continuing treatment for the same PPD, it's absolutely just an extension. Don't let them talk you into losing that week of benefits! You've got enough to deal with without unnecessary bureaucratic hassles.