WHAT TO EXPECT AT A SOCIAL SECURITY CONSULTATIVE EXAM

So, Social Security is Sending You to One of Their own Doctors?

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A CONSULTATIVE EXAM

Sometimes Social Security will send claimants to see one of their contracted doctors. This is called a “consultative examination (CE)” because it is performed by a doctor who has contracted with Social Security to do these exams for a set price per exam. Social Security pays for the exam. Some tips and things to know as you go to one of these exams:

1) Arrive early, at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. If you are late, the doctor may refuse to see you and this is a big problem with Social Security.

2) Please take all your prescription medicines with you. Take the actual bottles/containers.

3) Have someone else drive you to/from the exam if possible.

4) Please don’t smoke before going to the appointment. Some doctor’s report “smoke on the patient’s breath/clothing” Crazy, I know, but I’ve actually seen this in doctor’s reports.

5) Some doctors will “observe” the claimant from the time they pull into the parking lot until they drive away. I have seen comments like: “The claimant sat comfortably in the waiting room for 30 minutes in no apparent pain or discomfort.” Or, “I observed the claimant drive into my parking lot, get out of a big pickup truck with no sign of pain, walk into the office without a limp, and take a seat.” Or, “The claimant left the waiting area twice to smoke a cigarette before his appointment.”

6) Social Security has sent a specific list of things for the doctor to check. They will not do any more than Social Security has ordered. Typically, they check height and weight and take a brief medical history. They ask why you are unable to work. They will do a basic medical exam that may include range of motion tests, heel-to-toe walking, squatting, etc.

7) You should be cooperative and do everything the doctor asks to the best of your ability. Don’t “hold back.” You don’t want the doctor’s report to say, “The claimant did not do her best on the exam.” If you cannot perform a requested activity, explain why to the doctor.

8) Don’t spend a lot of time trying to convince the doctor that you are disabled. He/she doesn’t get to make that decision. He/she will merely perform the exam ordered by Social Security. A “sales job” won’t help and it may hurt your case. Please answer questions honestly. Avoid talking too much.

9) If the doctor asks why you had to stop working, it is best to state the PHYSICAL and/or MENTAL symptoms that made it difficult to do your job, as long as it is truthful. For example: “I got to where I couldn’t stand (or sit) without a lot of pain.” Or, “I was in so much pain from my lower back and legs that I could no longer handle the duties of my job."

10) The doctor will not prescribe any medicine or send you for any treatment. After the exam, the doctor has 30 days to submit a report to Social Security. It usually doesn't take that long.

(Please see my post "Things You Never Say to a Social Security Doctor?)