Social Security Consultative Examinations

[Guest guest]

Social Security Consultative Examinations

As the Social Security Administration adds to its staff of Disability Analysts it appears that they are more frequently asking claimants to see one of their contracting physicians for what is usually called a “Consultative Exam,†or “CE,†for either a Physical Exam, Psychological Exam or both.

Your first notice will be a letter giving you the date, time and address of the examination. The letter will not say that you have a choice of doctors, but you do; more on that later.

Social Security will only request that you see their own doctor when they don’t believe your medical record supports a case for disability and they want to get a “direct look.†Many say that if Social Security wants to examine you it is preparing to deny your claim, and, in the absence of additional medical evidence, they probably will deny the claim. However, CEs can also lead to an approval, and you can help your chances.

CAUTION: These examinations aren’t known for being thorough or in-depth. They are often only helpful when the symptoms that keep you from working are readily observable. Claimants dealing with the subjective symptoms (fatigue, pain, etc.) of HCV infection need to be especially cautious about the exams, if asked to take one.

There are several reasons why Social Security would request a Consultative Exam (CE). They may require you to see a contracted, examining physician you have never seen before if:

Your physician has not responded to their inquiries or sent requested records. You should be the “traffic cop†during this process. You should receive copies of letters to doctors, and should follow each up. Also stay in touch with your doctors’ offices and your Analyst to make sure they aren’t waiting for information that you didn’t know was requested. Your physician is not a specialist in your medical condition. If an Internist is treating you for lung problems, they may want to have you examined by a pulmonary specialist. If your doctor is more knowledgeable in pulmonary issues than the average internist, you may be able to appeal the request.

Social Security’s written policy is that your treating physician is the primary source of information about your condition. Because of this, you may be able to substitute your doctor for theirs, despite the fact that this is not mentioned in their letter announcing the exam. To make the switch, you should contact your own physician and ask if she would be willing to do the examination. Some physicians dislike doing these for Social Security as they do not reimburse much for the exam and there is a lot of paperwork involved.

If your doctor agrees, call the Disability Analyst whose name and phone number is on the letter you received. Tell him or her that you would like your own physician to perform the exam. Often, he will take the doctor’s name and address and send her a kit of paperwork for the exam; in other cases, they will just approve the switch, and you should provide your doctor with the information listed below on what to include in the examination.

If the representative refuses to substitute doctors, mention the wording below from Social Security which can be found at http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/evidentiary.htm. If necessary, ask to speak to a supervisor. Social Security’s regulations clearly state that when possible the treating physician should perform the physical examination.

Consultative Examinations

If the evidence provided by the claimant's own medical sources is inadequate to determine if he or she is disabled, additional medical information may be sought by recontacting the treating source for additional information or clarification, or by arranging for a CE.

The treating source is the preferred source for a CE if he or she is qualified, equipped, and willing to perform the examination for the authorized fee. [Emphasis added] Even if only a supplemental test is required, the treating source is ordinarily the preferred source for this service. However, SSA’s rules provide for using an independent source (other than the treating source) for a CE or diagnostic study if:

The treating source prefers not to perform the examination;

The treating source does not have the equipment to provide the specific data needed;

There are conflicts or inconsistencies in the file that cannot be resolved by going back to the treating source;

The claimant prefers another source and has good reason for doing so; or

Prior experience indicates that the treating source may not be a productive source.

The webpage also includes what should be included in a Consultative Exam performed by your treating physician:

Consultative Examination Report Content A complete CE report will involve all the elements of a standard examination in the applicable medical specialty and should include the following elements:

the claimant's major or chief complaint(s); a detailed description, within the area of specialty of the examination, of the history of the major complaint(s); a description, and disposition, of pertinent "positive" and "negative" detailed findings based on the history, examination, and laboratory tests related to the major complaint(s), and any other abnormalities or lack thereof reported or found during examination or laboratory testing; results of laboratory and other tests (for example, X-rays) performed according to the requirements stated in the Listing of Impairments (see Part III of this guide); the diagnosis and prognosis for the claimant's impairment(s); a statement about what the claimant can still do despite his or her impairment(s), unless the claim is based on statutory blindness.

if the claimant is an adult age 18 or over, this statement should describe the opinion of the consultant about the claimant's ability, despite his or her impairment(s), to do work-related activities, such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, handling objects, hearing, speaking, and traveling; in adult cases involving mental impairment(s) or mental functional limitations, this statement should also describe the opinion of the consultant about the claimant’s capacity to understand, to carry out and remember instructions, and to respond appropriately to supervision, coworkers, and work pressures in a work setting.

if the claimant is a child under age 18, this statement should describe the opinion of the consultant about the child's functional limitations compared to children his or her age who do not have impairments in acquiring and using information, attending and completing tasks, interacting and relating with others, moving about and manipulating objects, caring for yourself, and heath and physical well-being.

the consultant 's consideration, and some explanation or comment on, the claimant's major complaint(s) and any other abnormalities found during the history and examination or reported from the laboratory tests. The history, examination, evaluation of laboratory test results, and the conclusions will represent the information provided by the consultant who signs the report.â€

If, however, the exam is performed by the Social Security physician, you can take steps to protect yourself and improve your chances of getting your claim approved, especially if you should need to appeal a denial, by doing the following:

Make a record of the exam.

Have a friend or partner go as a witness. Although he/she may not be permitted in the examining room, he/she can time how long you are with the doctor. Once the exam is over, write down as much as you remember of what was asked and how you responded. Also, note what the doctor did NOT do or ask that seemed to be important for a thorough exam. Don’t wait until you go home – do this on a bench outside the office or in a nearby coffee shop. Record the exam. Call the examining doctor’s office before you go and ask for permission to record the exam. If so, take a tape recorder and record the entire exam. If they reject the request, make sure you note in your summary of the exam that you had attempted to record it and were refused and note the name of the person refusing and the reason. If you feel very strongly about having a recording of the exam and the doctor refuses to let you tape the exam, call the Disability Analyst who sent you the notice of the Consultative Exam, and see if she will contact the doctor for you to arrange the recording. If she agrees with the doctor that you cannot have a friend or record the visit, your choices are:

Refuse the exam. However, this will stop action on your benefits and could result in a denial. If you choose this route, you should write and call Social Security. Tell them that you “were willing to take the physical exam†but were refused permission to document the physical and you would like for them to explain why you were refused. Be sure to send a copy to the doctor. Keep copies of the letter and any response. Offer again to take the exam as long as you can record it or understand why it cannot be recorded. Take the exam. If you do this, ask the doctor to write a note confirming that she would not allow you to document it and why. If she is unwilling to put this in writing, it is even more important that you immediately write down all that you remember of the exam including the doctor’s refusal. Note especially how much observation was made of your symptoms and how much relied on your own statements. For example, if one of your symptoms was shoulder pain, did the doctor have you lift and stretch and move the shoulder around while watching how you reacted – or did she just have you lift it once and start writing.

The purpose of all this recordkeeping is that, in the event of a denial, your appeal can point to the inadequacy of the exam itself as well as provide more medical documentation from your own doctors. Questioning the validity of the CE with specific facts of just how superficial it was will help diminish the credibility of the CE and cause them to rely more on your own doctor’s evidence.

Once you are asked to take a Consultative Exam, the outcome of your claim pretty much depends on the outcome of this exam. If called in for an exam, your benefits are riding on it so proceed with caution.

Confused about applying for disability? Click here [Jacques Chambers, CLU, and his company, Chambers Benefits Consulting, have over 35 years of experience in health, life and disability insurance and Social Security disability benefits. For the past twelve years, he has been assisting people with their rights, problems, and other issues concerning benefits and disability. He can be reached at jacques@... or through his website at: http://www.helpwithbenefits.com.]

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/hepC/SSA%20Consultative_10.html

[Guest guest]

Hope this post is okay in response. It's along the same lines but not about exams. My son was on disability when he was younger. (not because of hepatitis) We belonged to various message boards and many of the people with his illness were denied the first time and had to fight for disability. When we applied for my son we noticed that the application was very basic and did not paint an appropriate picture as to how the disease affected his life. We wrote a letter explaining in detail how the disease affected his life as well as our families lives. We listed all of his symptoms, limitations, etc. We also attached picture of my son to the application. We hoped the picture would help them realize they were dealing with a real person.

He was approved right away with no problems.

I know this is not about hepatitis, but maybe it would help someone here who is applying for disability get approved.

I apologize if this post is too off topic. Just trying to help.

[ ] Social Security Consultative Examinations

Social Security Consultative Examinations

As the Social Security Administration adds to its staff of Disability Analysts it appears that they are more frequently asking claimants to see one of their contracting physicians for what is usually called a “Consultative Exam,†or “CE,†for either a Physical Exam, Psychological Exam or both.

Your first notice will be a letter giving you the date, time and address of the examination. The letter will not say that you have a choice of doctors, but you do; more on that later.

Social Security will only request that you see their own doctor when they don’t believe your medical record supports a case for disability and they want to get a “direct look.†Many say that if Social Security wants to examine you it is preparing to deny your claim, and, in the absence of additional medical evidence, they probably will deny the claim. However, CEs can also lead to an approval, and you can help your chances.

CAUTION: These examinations aren’t known for being thorough or in-depth. They are often only helpful when the symptoms that keep you from working are readily observable. Claimants dealing with the subjective symptoms (fatigue, pain, etc.) of HCV infection need to be especially cautious about the exams, if asked to take one.

There are several reasons why Social Security would request a Consultative Exam (CE). They may require you to see a contracted, examining physician you have never seen before if:

Your physician has not responded to their inquiries or sent requested records. You should be the “traffic cop†during this process. You should receive copies of letters to doctors, and should follow each up. Also stay in touch with your doctors’ offices and your Analyst to make sure they aren’t waiting for information that you didn’t know was requested. Your physician is not a specialist in your medical condition. If an Internist is treating you for lung problems, they may want to have you examined by a pulmonary specialist. If your doctor is more knowledgeable in pulmonary issues than the average internist, you may be able to appeal the request.

Social Security’s written policy is that your treating physician is the primary source of information about your condition. Because of this, you may be able to substitute your doctor for theirs, despite the fact that this is not mentioned in their letter announcing the exam. To make the switch, you should contact your own physician and ask if she would be willing to do the examination. Some physicians dislike doing these for Social Security as they do not reimburse much for the exam and there is a lot of paperwork involved.

If your doctor agrees, call the Disability Analyst whose name and phone number is on the letter you received. Tell him or her that you would like your own physician to perform the exam. Often, he will take the doctor’s name and address and send her a kit of paperwork for the exam; in other cases, they will just approve the switch, and you should provide your doctor with the information listed below on what to include in the examination.

If the representative refuses to substitute doctors, mention the wording below from Social Security which can be found at http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/evidentiary.htm. If necessary, ask to speak to a supervisor. Social Security’s regulations clearly state that when possible the treating physician should perform the physical examination.

Consultative Examinations

If the evidence provided by the claimant's own medical sources is inadequate to determine if he or she is disabled, additional medical information may be sought by recontacting the treating source for additional information or clarification, or by arranging for a CE.

The treating source is the preferred source for a CE if he or she is qualified, equipped, and willing to perform the examination for the authorized fee. [Emphasis added] Even if only a supplemental test is required, the treating source is ordinarily the preferred source for this service. However, SSA’s rules provide for using an independent source (other than the treating source) for a CE or diagnostic study if:

The treating source prefers not to perform the examination;

The treating source does not have the equipment to provide the specific data needed;

There are conflicts or inconsistencies in the file that cannot be resolved by going back to the treating source;

The claimant prefers another source and has good reason for doing so; or

Prior experience indicates that the treating source may not be a productive source.

The webpage also includes what should be included in a Consultative Exam performed by your treating physician:

Consultative Examination Report Content A complete CE report will involve all the elements of a standard examination in the applicable medical specialty and should include the following elements:

the claimant's major or chief complaint(s); a detailed description, within the area of specialty of the examination, of the history of the major complaint(s); a description, and disposition, of pertinent "positive" and "negative" detailed findings based on the history, examination, and laboratory tests related to the major complaint(s), and any other abnormalities or lack thereof reported or found during examination or laboratory testing; results of laboratory and other tests (for example, X-rays) performed according to the requirements stated in the Listing of Impairments (see Part III of this guide); the diagnosis and prognosis for the claimant's impairment(s); a statement about what the claimant can still do despite his or her impairment(s), unless the claim is based on statutory blindness.

if the claimant is an adult age 18 or over, this statement should describe the opinion of the consultant about the claimant's ability, despite his or her impairment(s), to do work-related activities, such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, handling objects, hearing, speaking, and traveling; in adult cases involving mental impairment(s) or mental functional limitations, this statement should also describe the opinion of the consultant about the claimant’s capacity to understand, to carry out and remember instructions, and to respond appropriately to supervision, coworkers, and work pressures in a work setting.

if the claimant is a child under age 18, this statement should describe the opinion of the consultant about the child's functional limitations compared to children his or her age who do not have impairments in acquiring and using information, attending and completing tasks, interacting and relating with others, moving about and manipulating objects, caring for yourself, and heath and physical well-being.

the consultant 's consideration, and some explanation or comment on, the claimant's major complaint(s) and any other abnormalities found during the history and examination or reported from the laboratory tests. The history, examination, evaluation of laboratory test results, and the conclusions will represent the information provided by the consultant who signs the report.â€

If, however, the exam is performed by the Social Security physician, you can take steps to protect yourself and improve your chances of getting your claim approved, especially if you should need to appeal a denial, by doing the following:

Make a record of the exam.

Have a friend or partner go as a witness. Although he/she may not be permitted in the examining room, he/she can time how long you are with the doctor. Once the exam is over, write down as much as you remember of what was asked and how you responded. Also, note what the doctor did NOT do or ask that seemed to be important for a thorough exam. Don’t wait until you go home – do this on a bench outside the office or in a nearby coffee shop. Record the exam. Call the examining doctor’s office before you go and ask for permission to record the exam. If so, take a tape recorder and record the entire exam. If they reject the request, make sure you note in your summary of the exam that you had attempted to record it and were refused and note the name of the person refusing and the reason. If you feel very strongly about having a recording of the exam and the doctor refuses to let you tape the exam, call the Disability Analyst who sent you the notice of the Consultative Exam, and see if she will contact the doctor for you to arrange the recording. If she agrees with the doctor that you cannot have a friend or record the visit, your choices are:

Refuse the exam. However, this will stop action on your benefits and could result in a denial. If you choose this route, you should write and call Social Security. Tell them that you “were willing to take the physical exam†but were refused permission to document the physical and you would like for them to explain why you were refused. Be sure to send a copy to the doctor. Keep copies of the letter and any response. Offer again to take the exam as long as you can record it or understand why it cannot be recorded. Take the exam. If you do this, ask the doctor to write a note confirming that she would not allow you to document it and why. If she is unwilling to put this in writing, it is even more important that you immediately write down all that you remember of the exam including the doctor’s refusal. Note especially how much observation was made of your symptoms and how much relied on your own statements. For example, if one of your symptoms was shoulder pain, did the doctor have you lift and stretch and move the shoulder around while watching how you reacted – or did she just have you lift it once and start writing.

The purpose of all this recordkeeping is that, in the event of a denial, your appeal can point to the inadequacy of the exam itself as well as provide more medical documentation from your own doctors. Questioning the validity of the CE with specific facts of just how superficial it was will help diminish the credibility of the CE and cause them to rely more on your own doctor’s evidence.

Once you are asked to take a Consultative Exam, the outcome of your claim pretty much depends on the outcome of this exam. If called in for an exam, your benefits are riding on it so proceed with caution.

Confused about applying for disability? Click here [Jacques Chambers, CLU, and his company, Chambers Benefits Consulting, have over 35 years of experience in health, life and disability insurance and Social Security disability benefits. For the past twelve years, he has been assisting people with their rights, problems, and other issues concerning benefits and disability. He can be reached at jacques@... or through his website at: http://www.helpwithbenefits.com.]

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/hepC/SSA%20Consultative_10.html

[Guest guest]

Hi Amelie

This is a very good idea. Thank you.

I like how you expanded the SS info, to make those scanning the paperwork have a more personal attachment with the applicant.

love

don in ks

From: pinion1@... <pinion1@...>Subject: Re: [ ] Social Security Consultative Examinations Date: Monday, January 3, 2011, 10:37 PM

Hope this post is okay in response. It's along the same lines but not about exams. My son was on disability when he was younger. (not because of hepatitis) We belonged to various message boards and many of the people with his illness were denied the first time and had to fight for disability. When we applied for my son we noticed that the application was very basic and did not paint an appropriate picture as to how the disease affected his life. We wrote a letter explaining in detail how the disease affected his life as well as our families lives. We listed all of his symptoms, limitations, etc. We also attached picture of my son to the application. We hoped the picture would help them realize they were dealing with a real person.

He was approved right away with no problems.

I know this is not about hepatitis, but maybe it would help someone here who is applying for disability get approved.

I apologize if this post is too off topic. Just trying to help.

[ ] Social Security Consultative Examinations

Social Security Consultative Examinations

As the Social Security Administration adds to its staff of Disability Analysts it appears that they are more frequently asking claimants to see one of their contracting physicians for what is usually called a “Consultative Exam,†or “CE,†for either a Physical Exam, Psychological Exam or both.

Your first notice will be a letter giving you the date, time and address of the examination. The letter will not say that you have a choice of doctors, but you do; more on that later.

Social Security will only request that you see their own doctor when they don’t believe your medical record supports a case for disability and they want to get a “direct look.†Many say that if Social Security wants to examine you it is preparing to deny your claim, and, in the absence of additional medical evidence, they probably will deny the claim. However, CEs can also lead to an approval, and you can help your chances.

CAUTION: These examinations aren’t known for being thorough or in-depth. They are often only helpful when the symptoms that keep you from working are readily observable. Claimants dealing with the subjective symptoms (fatigue, pain, etc.) of HCV infection need to be especially cautious about the exams, if asked to take one.

There are several reasons why Social Security would request a Consultative Exam (CE). They may require you to see a contracted, examining physician you have never seen before if:

Your physician has not responded to their inquiries or sent requested records. You should be the “traffic cop†during this process. You should receive copies of letters to doctors, and should follow each up. Also stay in touch with your doctors’ offices and your Analyst to make sure they aren’t waiting for information that you didn’t know was requested. Your physician is not a specialist in your medical condition. If an Internist is treating you for lung problems, they may want to have you examined by a pulmonary specialist. If your doctor is more knowledgeable in pulmonary issues than the average internist, you may be able to appeal the request.

Social Security’s written policy is that your treating physician is the primary source of information about your condition. Because of this, you may be able to substitute your doctor for theirs, despite the fact that this is not mentioned in their letter announcing the exam. To make the switch, you should contact your own physician and ask if she would be willing to do the examination. Some physicians dislike doing these for Social Security as they do not reimburse much for the exam and there is a lot of paperwork involved.

If your doctor agrees, call the Disability Analyst whose name and phone number is on the letter you received. Tell him or her that you would like your own physician to perform the exam. Often, he will take the doctor’s name and address and send her a kit of paperwork for the exam; in other cases, they will just approve the switch, and you should provide your doctor with the information listed below on what to include in the examination.

If the representative refuses to substitute doctors, mention the wording below from Social Security which can be found at http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/evidentiary.htm. If necessary, ask to speak to a supervisor. Social Security’s regulations clearly state that when possible the treating physician should perform the physical examination.

Consultative Examinations

If the evidence provided by the claimant's own medical sources is inadequate to determine if he or she is disabled, additional medical information may be sought by recontacting the treating source for additional information or clarification, or by arranging for a CE.

The treating source is the preferred source for a CE if he or she is qualified, equipped, and willing to perform the examination for the authorized fee. [Emphasis added] Even if only a supplemental test is required, the treating source is ordinarily the preferred source for this service. However, SSA’s rules provide for using an independent source (other than the treating source) for a CE or diagnostic study if:

The treating source prefers not to perform the examination;

The treating source does not have the equipment to provide the specific data needed;

There are conflicts or inconsistencies in the file that cannot be resolved by going back to the treating source;

The claimant prefers another source and has good reason for doing so; or

Prior experience indicates that the treating source may not be a productive source.

The webpage also includes what should be included in a Consultative Exam performed by your treating physician:

Consultative Examination Report Content A complete CE report will involve all the elements of a standard examination in the applicable medical specialty and should include the following elements:

the claimant's major or chief complaint(s); a detailed description, within the area of specialty of the examination, of the history of the major complaint(s); a description, and disposition, of pertinent "positive" and "negative" detailed findings based on the history, examination, and laboratory tests related to the major complaint(s), and any other abnormalities or lack thereof reported or found during examination or laboratory testing; results of laboratory and other tests (for example, X-rays) performed according to the requirements stated in the Listing of Impairments (see Part III of this guide); the diagnosis and prognosis for the claimant's impairment(s); a statement about what the claimant can still do despite his or her impairment(s), unless the claim is based on statutory blindness.

if the claimant is an adult age 18 or over, this statement should describe the opinion of the consultant about the claimant's ability, despite his or her impairment(s), to do work-related activities, such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, handling objects, hearing, speaking, and traveling; in adult cases involving mental impairment(s) or mental functional limitations, this statement should also describe the opinion of the consultant about the claimant’s capacity to understand, to carry out and remember instructions, and to respond appropriately to supervision, coworkers, and work pressures in a work setting.

if the claimant is a child under age 18, this statement should describe the opinion of the consultant about the child's functional limitations compared to children his or her age who do not have impairments in acquiring and using information, attending and completing tasks, interacting and relating with others, moving about and manipulating objects, caring for yourself, and heath and physical well-being.

the consultant 's consideration, and some explanation or comment on, the claimant's major complaint(s) and any other abnormalities found during the history and examination or reported from the laboratory tests. The history, examination, evaluation of laboratory test results, and the conclusions will represent the information provided by the consultant who signs the report.â€

If, however, the exam is performed by the Social Security physician, you can take steps to protect yourself and improve your chances of getting your claim approved, especially if you should need to appeal a denial, by doing the following:

Make a record of the exam.

Have a friend or partner go as a witness. Although he/she may not be permitted in the examining room, he/she can time how long you are with the doctor. Once the exam is over, write down as much as you remember of what was asked and how you responded. Also, note what the doctor did NOT do or ask that seemed to be important for a thorough exam. Don’t wait until you go home – do this on a bench outside the office or in a nearby coffee shop. Record the exam. Call the examining doctor’s office before you go and ask for permission to record the exam. If so, take a tape recorder and record the entire exam. If they reject the request, make sure you note in your summary of the exam that you had attempted to record it and were refused and note the name of the person refusing and the reason. If you feel very strongly about having a recording of the exam and the doctor refuses to let you tape the exam, call the Disability Analyst who sent you the notice of the Consultative Exam, and see if she will contact the doctor for you to arrange the recording. If she agrees with the doctor that you cannot have a friend or record the visit, your choices are:

Refuse the exam. However, this will stop action on your benefits and could result in a denial. If you choose this route, you should write and call Social Security. Tell them that you “were willing to take the physical exam†but were refused permission to document the physical and you would like for them to explain why you were refused. Be sure to send a copy to the doctor. Keep copies of the letter and any response. Offer again to take the exam as long as you can record it or understand why it cannot be recorded. Take the exam. If you do this, ask the doctor to write a note confirming that she would not allow you to document it and why. If she is unwilling to put this in writing, it is even more important that you immediately write down all that you remember of the exam including the doctor’s refusal. Note especially how much observation was made of your symptoms and how much relied on your own statements. For example, if one of your symptoms was shoulder pain, did the doctor have you lift and stretch and move the shoulder around while watching how you reacted – or did she just have you lift it once and start writing.

The purpose of all this recordkeeping is that, in the event of a denial, your appeal can point to the inadequacy of the exam itself as well as provide more medical documentation from your own doctors. Questioning the validity of the CE with specific facts of just how superficial it was will help diminish the credibility of the CE and cause them to rely more on your own doctor’s evidence.

Once you are asked to take a Consultative Exam, the outcome of your claim pretty much depends on the outcome of this exam. If called in for an exam, your benefits are riding on it so proceed with caution.

Confused about applying for disability? Click here [Jacques Chambers, CLU, and his company, Chambers Benefits Consulting, have over 35 years of experience in health, life and disability insurance and Social Security disability benefits. For the past twelve years, he has been assisting people with their rights, problems, and other issues concerning benefits and disability. He can be reached at jacques@... or through his website at: http://www.helpwithbenefits.com.]

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/hepC/SSA%20Consultative_10.html

[Guest guest]

This is GREAT information and a really good idea.On Mon, Jan 3, 2011 at 10:37 PM, <pinion1@...> wrote:

 

Hope this post is okay in response.  It's along the same lines but not about exams.  My son was on disability when he was younger.  (not because of hepatitis)  We belonged to various message boards and many of the people with his illness were denied the first time and had to fight for disability.  When we applied for my son we noticed that the application was very basic and did not paint an appropriate picture as to how the disease affected his life.  We wrote a letter explaining in detail how the disease affected his life as well as our families lives.  We listed all of his symptoms, limitations, etc.  We also attached picture of my son to the application.  We hoped the picture would help them realize they were dealing with a real person. 

 

He was approved right away with no problems.

 

I know this is not about hepatitis, but maybe it would help someone here who is applying for disability get approved.

 

I apologize if this post is too off topic.  Just trying to help.

 

[ ] Social Security Consultative Examinations

 

Social Security Consultative Examinations

 

As the Social Security Administration adds to its staff of Disability Analysts it appears that they are more frequently asking claimants to see one of their contracting physicians for what is usually called a “Consultative Exam,” or “CE,” for either a Physical Exam, Psychological Exam or both.

Your first notice will be a letter giving you the date, time and address of the examination. The letter will not say that you have a choice of doctors, but you do; more on that later.

Social Security will only request that you see their own doctor when they don’t believe your medical record supports a case for disability and they want to get a “direct look.” Many say that if Social Security wants to examine you it is preparing to deny your claim, and, in the absence of additional medical evidence, they probably will deny the claim. However, CEs can also lead to an approval, and you can help your chances.

CAUTION: These examinations aren’t known for being thorough or in-depth. They are often only helpful when the symptoms that keep you from working are readily observable. Claimants dealing with the subjective symptoms (fatigue, pain, etc.) of HCV infection need to be especially cautious about the exams, if asked to take one.

There are several reasons why Social Security would request a Consultative Exam (CE). They may require you to see a contracted, examining physician you have never seen before if:

Your physician has not responded to their inquiries or sent requested records. You should be the “traffic cop” during this process. You should receive copies of letters to doctors, and should follow each up. Also stay in touch with your doctors’ offices and your Analyst to make sure they aren’t waiting for information that you didn’t know was requested. Your physician is not a specialist in your medical condition. If an Internist is treating you for lung problems, they may want to have you examined by a pulmonary specialist. If your doctor is more knowledgeable in pulmonary issues than the average internist, you may be able to appeal the request.

Social Security’s written policy is that your treating physician is the primary source of information about your condition. Because of this, you may be able to substitute your doctor for theirs, despite the fact that this is not mentioned in their letter announcing the exam. To make the switch, you should contact your own physician and ask if she would be willing to do the examination. Some physicians dislike doing these for Social Security as they do not reimburse much for the exam and there is a lot of paperwork involved.

If your doctor agrees, call the Disability Analyst whose name and phone number is on the letter you received. Tell him or her that you would like your own physician to perform the exam. Often, he will take the doctor’s name and address and send her a kit of paperwork for the exam; in other cases, they will just approve the switch, and you should provide your doctor with the information listed below on what to include in the examination.

If the representative refuses to substitute doctors, mention the wording below from Social Security which can be found at http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals

/bluebook/evidentiary.htm. If necessary, ask to speak to a supervisor. Social Security’s regulations clearly state that when possible the treating physician should perform the physical examination.

Consultative Examinations

If the evidence provided by the claimant's own medical sources is inadequate to determine if he or she is disabled, additional medical information may be sought by recontacting the treating source for additional information or clarification, or by arranging for a CE.

The treating source is the preferred source for a CE if he or she is qualified, equipped, and willing to perform the examination for the authorized fee. [Emphasis added] Even if only a supplemental test is required, the treating source is ordinarily the preferred source for this service. However, SSA’s rules provide for using an independent source (other than the treating source) for a CE or diagnostic study if:

The treating source prefers not to perform the examination;

The treating source does not have the equipment to provide the specific data needed;

There are conflicts or inconsistencies in the file that cannot be resolved by going back to the treating source;

The claimant prefers another source and has good reason for doing so; or

Prior experience indicates that the treating source may not be a productive source.

The webpage also includes what should be included in a Consultative Exam performed by your treating physician:

Consultative Examination Report Content A complete CE report will involve all the elements of a standard examination in the applicable medical specialty and should include the following elements:

the claimant's major or chief complaint(s); a detailed description, within the area of specialty of the examination, of the history of the major complaint(s); a description, and disposition, of pertinent " positive " and " negative " detailed findings based on the history, examination, and laboratory tests related to the major complaint(s), and any other abnormalities or lack thereof reported or found during examination or laboratory testing;  results of laboratory and other tests (for example, X-rays) performed according to the requirements stated in the Listing of Impairments (see Part III of this guide);  the diagnosis and prognosis for the claimant's impairment(s); a statement about what the claimant can still do despite his or her impairment(s), unless the claim is based on statutory blindness.

if the claimant is an adult age 18 or over, this statement should describe the opinion of the consultant about the claimant's ability, despite his or her impairment(s), to do work-related activities, such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, handling objects, hearing, speaking, and traveling;  in adult cases involving mental impairment(s) or mental functional limitations, this statement should also describe the opinion of the consultant about the claimant’s capacity to understand, to carry out and remember instructions, and to respond appropriately to supervision, coworkers, and work pressures in a work setting.

if the claimant is a child under age 18, this statement should describe the opinion of the consultant about the child's functional limitations compared to children his or her age who do not have impairments in acquiring and using information, attending and completing tasks, interacting and relating with others, moving about and manipulating objects, caring for yourself, and heath and physical well-being.

the consultant 's consideration, and some explanation or comment on, the claimant's major complaint(s) and any other abnormalities found during the history and examination or reported from the laboratory tests. The history, examination, evaluation of laboratory test results, and the conclusions will represent the information provided by the consultant who signs the report.”

If, however, the exam is performed by the Social Security physician, you can take steps to protect yourself and improve your chances of getting your claim approved, especially if you should need to appeal a denial, by doing the following: 

Make a record of the exam.

Have a friend or partner go as a witness. Although he/she may not be permitted in the examining room, he/she can time how long you are with the doctor. Once the exam is over, write down as much as you remember of what was asked and how you responded. Also, note what the doctor did NOT do or ask that seemed to be important for a thorough exam. Don’t wait until you go home – do this on a bench outside the office or in a nearby coffee shop. Record the exam. Call the examining doctor’s office before you go and ask for permission to record the exam. If so, take a tape recorder and record the entire exam. If they reject the request, make sure you note in your summary of the exam that you had attempted to record it and were refused and note the name of the person refusing and the reason. If you feel very strongly about having a recording of the exam and the doctor refuses to let you tape the exam, call the Disability Analyst who sent you the notice of the Consultative Exam, and see if she will contact the doctor for you to arrange the recording. If she agrees with the doctor that you cannot have a friend or record the visit, your choices are:

Refuse the exam.  However, this will stop action on your benefits and could result in a denial. If you choose this route, you should write and call Social Security. Tell them that you “were willing to take the physical exam” but were refused permission to document the physical and you would like for them to explain why you were refused. Be sure to send a copy to the doctor. Keep copies of the letter and any response. Offer again to take the exam as long as you can record it or understand why it cannot be recorded. Take the exam.  If you do this, ask the doctor to write a note confirming that she would not allow you to document it and why.  If she is unwilling to put this in writing, it is even more important that you immediately write down all that you remember of the exam including the doctor’s refusal. Note especially how much observation was made of your symptoms and how much relied on your own statements. For example, if one of your symptoms was shoulder pain, did the doctor have you lift and stretch and move the shoulder around while watching how you reacted – or did she just have you lift it once and start writing.

The purpose of all this recordkeeping is that, in the event of a denial, your appeal can point to the inadequacy of the exam itself as well as provide more medical documentation from your own doctors. Questioning the validity of the CE with specific facts of just how superficial it was will help diminish the credibility of the CE and cause them to rely more on your own doctor’s evidence.

Once you are asked to take a Consultative Exam, the outcome of your claim pretty much depends on the outcome of this exam. If called in for an exam, your benefits are riding on it so proceed with caution.

 

Confused about applying for disability? Click here [Jacques Chambers, CLU, and his company, Chambers Benefits Consulting, have over 35 years of experience in health, life and disability insurance and Social Security disability benefits. For the past twelve years, he has been assisting people with their rights, problems, and other issues concerning benefits and disability. He can be reached at jacques@... or through his website at: http://www.helpwithbenefits.com.]

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/hepC/SSA%20Consultative_10.html