WILL A CONSULTATIVE EXAM HELP YOU?

Before deciding your disability case, Social Security may send you to a consultative examination (CE) to be performed by one of their contracted doctors. Do these exams usually help the claimant get approved, or do they more often result in denials?

The truth is, I have seen CEs go both ways: They may help a case get approved and they certainly may sink the case. I have to say that more often I've seen consultative exams that did not help the claimant.

If there is little or no medical evidence in your file, then a CE is better than nothing.

However, it's always better to have medical evidence from your own doctor who has a longitudinal treating relationship. Your doctor knows your medical conditions better than anyone else. Your doctor can also offer information that CEs cannot provide, such as treatment, medications, and response to treatment, prognosis, and an opinion with regard to your limitations.

I never want a case to depend on a CE.

If you have no health insurance and can't afford your own doctor, seek out a community free clinic or try your local public health department. Social Security consultative doctors do not offer you medical treatment, do not prescribe medication and only see you one time for the special exam.