After you file an application for Social Security benefits you may be asked to attend a physical or mental status examination. Social Security maintains a network of doctors who are in private practice but perform examinations for Social Security for a fee.
These doctors do NOT approve or deny benefits. They perform the specific types of exams that Social Security wants and they usually are given a list of specific things to check.
Here are some things I always advise my clients concerning these "consultative examinations."
Arrive about 15 minutes early for the appointment.
Take all your prescription medications in their original containers with labels.
Take a valid photo ID such as a drivers license.
Ask a family member or someone else to drive you to the hearing and go in with you (to the lobby or waiting area). Try not to drive yourself to the exam.
5. Be cooperative and polite to the doctor or professional who examines you.
6. Don't smoke before your appointment. Doctor's smell smoke and it triggers a negative comment on their report to Social Security.
SOME THINGS YOU DO NOT SAY (OR DO) DURING AN EXAMINATION:
If the examiner politely asks, "How are you doing today?" don't respond with "I am doing just fine; I'm great, or No problems. The doctor may take this literally. If you were "fine," you wouldn't be applying for disability.
2. Don't ramble or give non-related information about your medical history or condition(s). Stick to what causes you pain, where you hurt,or how you feel. Briefly tell the doctor about any ER or hospitalizations you have had within the past year or so.
3. Don't volunteer information you aren't asked for. For example, don't say: "I drink a little more than I should," or "I think I could work some types of jobs, but nobody will hire me..." etc.
4. Focus on just answering the doctor's questions. Don't exaggerate to impress the doctor. It won't.
5. Don't try to pressure the doctor into saying that you are disabled or that you cannot work. Doctors are not allowed to draw these conclusions. Better to say: "I'm having trouble walking more than ____ yards," or "My hips hurt pretty bad if I sit longer than ____ minutes."
6. Don't try to hide or minimize any mental or psychological difficulties you may be having. If you have severe anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms you should let the doctor know. If you have had ideas of suicide, or have attempted suicide, the doctor should know. Social Security will consider mental as well as physical impairments that may interfere with your ability to work.--IF YOU HAVE HAD A DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT.
7. Avoid talking about undocumented or undiagnosed problems. Don't say, "I personally think I have heart trouble but no doctor has told me that." Don't say: "My grandmother died of a brain tumor and I'm wondering if I have one, too." Stick to conditions for which you have been diagnosed and treated. Generally, if a medical/mental condition has not been treated by a doctor, Social Security won't pay any attention to it.
8. Don't say, "I'm not taking my prescribed medications right now...(I can't afford it; I don't like how it makes me feel; I didn't think it was helping...:, etc.). Tell the truth if asked but don't volunteer information that you aren't asked about. Always tell the truth.
8. Focus on major medical problems that make it hard to work--not on minor problems that do not cause a disability. For instance, you may not need to point out that you have flat feet, low potassium, occasional ringing in the ears, or upset stomach. Stick to major medical issues that would make it very difficult for you to work on a day-to-day basis.
It is very important to be truthful and honest with your examiner. Avoid exaggeration (making things sound worse than they are) or minimization (making things sound better than they really are). Let the doctor ask the questions and you will answer to the best of your ability.
Finally, realize that the consultative examiner will not give you any medications, prescriptions or treatment. They are to perform a one-time examination only.
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