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Should my social security disability medical exam concern me?
January 3rd, 2010 by admin
Q: Should you be concerned if you have been scheduled for a medical exam after you apply for social security disability insurance?
A: You should not be concerned if you have been scheduled for a medical exam, known as a consultative exam. CEs are sometimes necessary for a claimant when additional medical information is needed to provide a thorough picture of an injury or condition. A scheduled consultative exam after you apply for social security disability benefits in not an indication that your claim will not be approved. The additional medical information gained through a CE should provide more proof for any legitimate claim. Make sure you cooperate with the request for a consultative exam. Contrary to popular belief, the exams are not performed by Social Security doctors. The exam will be provided by an independent doctor who contracts with Social Security to provide medical services. When you go to your CE, it will be like visiting any other physician. The extent of the exam depends upon how much additional information the disability examiner needs to make a fair judgment on your case. In some cases, it may encompass only some lab tests or an X ray. If a CE has been scheduled, it means your medical file is not complete enough. It is in your best interest to assure that the claims examiner for your case has received all your medical records and is current on your treatments. A wait for medical files is what causes most social security disability applications to stall. Give your case the best chance at approval by participating in all scheduled medical exams and confirming that the disability examiner has all your medical data.