A Special Kind Of Medical Exam For Social Security

If you have recently applied for Social Security benefits, you may be asked to undergo a special type of medical exam called a disability consultative exam. Since your ability to get benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) depends on whether or not you can prove that your medical condition is keeping you from working at your job, you can imagine how important this exam might be to your ability to get SSA benefits. Read on to learn more about the Social Security Disability Consultative Exam.

Why am I being asked to undergo this exam?

The SSA requires that you provide them with medical proof of your disability, and your medical records are the main piece of proof that they are looking for. This request may be the result of your lack of medical care in the time period leading up to the date of your application. In some cases, the medical proof you submitted was found to be inadequate, so the SSA needs to see a more detailed evaluation of your medical condition. You should understand that your approval will not move forward until you comply with this request, so be sure to follow up and attend the scheduled exam.

What happens at the exam?

This is not a normal medical exam, since no treatment will be provided to you for your medical condition and no medications will be prescribed. The doctor is under contract to the SSA, so you must work with that doctor even if you already have your own doctor. It may be comforting to know that you won't have to pay for this exam, since the SSA takes care of that. In many other ways this exam is similar to others you may have had with your vital signs being checked at the beginning (weight, blood pressure, temperature, pulse) and the doctor questioning you about the specific medical condition you are suffering from. You may also expect to have some tests preformed, if necessary.

What happens after the exam?

Once the doctor has completed the evaluation of your medical condition, a report will be prepared and sent to the SSA. In this report the doctor will provide an opinion on your medical condition and will make recommendations about your ability to continue to do the same work that you most recently performed. The report will evaluate your physical abilities to do work ranging from sedentary all the way up to very heavy. You will be informed of the results and the SSA's ruling through the mail a weeks after the exam.

Can you appeal the results of the exam?

If you have been denied benefits, due to the consultative exam or any other reason, you have the right to file for an appeal. It's important to note that you only have limited amount of time to file the appeal, so quick action is necessary. A Social Security attorney is vital to increase your chances of success at the appeal, so be sure to speak with one as soon as possible. For more information, contact a professional in your area or visit a website like http://www.vanblk.com.

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