Can you Trust the Doctor who does the Social Security Disability Medical Exam?I've written many times about the doctors who perform physical medical examinations for the social security administration. These doctors are independent physicians who have contracted to provide a service by conducting short examinations of disability claimants. They do not work for social security as opposed to the doctors who work with disability examiners in case processing units (these doctors are known as unit medical consultants). Just the same, however, most claimants who go to a examination routinely refer to these doctors as "social security doctors". They also end up telling remarkably the same stories about their exam (which is technically referred to as a CE or consultative examination) experiences. How do the stories go? Typically, like this: 1. The exam was short (ten minutes seems about average as the reported length) 2. The exam was really short (less than five minutes). 3. The doctor knew nothing about the claimant or the claimant's medical background (sometimes examiners send copies of selected bits of medical evidence to the examining doctor to fill them in regarding the claimant's medical history, but usually not). 4. The doctor had a specialization that seemed "out of place" (e.g. a gynecologist giving a neurological exam). 5. The doctor was rude (this seems extremely common). When the doctor is the enemy Well, here's another characterization of the doctors who perform examinations for social security. Sometimes, they are the enemy. Here's an example. They observe claimants from their office window, looking to see whether or not the claimant is exaggerating their symptoms. I've seen this one on a number of consultative examination reports myself (Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: How long for a disability judge to make a decision? While you are in your disability interview The SSD and SSI definition of disability Social Security took away my disability How are women alerted to breast cancer? SSDI benefits review How to file for disability in Virginia VA When does Social Security pay the first disability benefit check? Can I get disability based on my high blood pressure and my age? Can I get disability if I have seizures? How Often Does Social Security Approve Disability The First Time You Apply? Can you file for disability for a triple bypass Applying for Disability with high blood pressure Filing for disability based on Borderline Personality Disorder |
