SHOULD YOU ATTEND A SOCIAL SECURITY EXAMINATION?

When you apply for Social Security benefits they often schedule a consultative examination (CE) with one of their doctors. Should you go to this exam?

Yes, you should. Failure to attend an examination with a Social Security doctor will hurt your case, both now and in any future appeal, simply by the fact that you did not go. There's just no good reason to refuse the exam. Refusing will label you as "non-cooperative."

Will an examination by a Social Security doctor help get you approved? Probably not. There are several reasons why these exams often do not help the claimant:

1. The exams are often rushed, superficial and conducted by doctors who are not necessarily specialists in the claimant's medical condition(s).

2. Usually, the doctor doesn't perform any diagnostic tests; therefore, he/she will likely only uncover obvious problems that are visible to the naked eye.

3. The doctor may not understand Social Security's definition of "disability" or the rules they use to decide disability.

4. The examining doctor has never laid eyes on you before. (S)he has never examined you before, never treated you, never prescribed any medication or ordered any tests. There is no longitudinal history to follow. In short, this doctor knows nothing about you and has only a few minutes to find out anything.

   
   

"You cannot expect to win disability benefits with only a Social Security exam."

I tell my clients that it is very important to see their own doctors regularly and follow medical advice when possible. It is the claimant's treating doctors who know them well, understand their medical history and have a longitudinal treatment history.

So, if Social Security schedules you for an exam with one of their doctors--you should attend. But do not expect this to provide a basis for having your claim approved. You should be seeing your own doctors regularly.