Psychiatrist as HMO Team Leader May Be "Treating Source" Whose Opinion Is Entitled to Greater Weight in Social Security Disability Determination Even Though Psychiatrist Has Minimal Patient Contact

Benton v. Barnhart, 331 F.3d 1030 (9th Cir. 2003); 71(49) U.S. Law Week 1790 (June 24, 2003)

The Ninth Circuit held that the lead psychiatrist on a patient's managed care treatment team may be considered a "treating" source whose opinions are entitled to greater weight in Social Security disability proceedings even though the psychiatrist has minimal contact with the patient and most of the direct patient contact is provided by others on the managed care treatment team...

Found in DMHL Volume 23 Issue 1