WHEN SOCIAL SECURITY SENDS YOU TO THEIR DOCTOR

In about 20 percent of Social Security disability cases, the agency will send claimants to one of their contracted doctors for a consultative examination (CE).  This usually occurs when there is limited evidence from the claimant's own treating doctors.

Social Security contracts with doctors in private practice to perform these exams.  Here is generally what to expect at a consultative exam (CE):

• It will be brief.  The doctor may spend as little as 15 minutes with you.  Usually there are no tests.
• The doctor has been provided with a checklist of things to look for.  He/She will focus only on what is on the list.
• CEs are often not helpful for the claimant.

Here are a few tips that may help the examination go smoothly:

1. If you cannot attend the examination, call the Disability Determination Service (DDS) which scheduled the exam as early as possible.  This should only be for an unavoidable emergency. Also call the doctor's office.  (The doctor will not call DDS for you; it's important you call them, too).
2. Arrive at the exam site 15 minutes early.
3. If possible, have someone drive you to the exam.
4. Take a list of all medications and dosage with you.
5. Be cooperative with the doctor.  Failure to do so will guarantee a bad report to Social Security.  Put forth your best effort.
6. Don't try to "sell" the doctor on the fact that you are disabled and should be on disability.  The doctor cannot approve you or sign you up for benefits.  He is a fact finder and has a checklist of medical items to check during the exam.
7. Answer the doctor's questions as directly as possible.  Get to the point and avoid unnecessary details. 

Doctors are allowed 30 days to send in their examination reports to Social Security.