After you file an application for Social Security disability benefits, Social Security will often send you to one of their doctors for a consultative visit. This exam will be performed by a doctor in private practice who is under contract to do exams for Social Security. I usually say that a consultative examination will not help the claimant. Here's why in a nutshell:
Do you have to attend a consultative exam when requested by Social Security? Basically, yes. Failure to attend without a good reason (like serious illness) can be a basis for a denial or dismissal of your claim for "non-cooperation." Refusing to attend a consultative exam is never a good idea. Consultative exams are not requested in many cases. The thing that triggers an exam is insufficient medical evidence from the claimant's own doctor(s).
You should know what you are getting into with a consultative examination. In most cases, the doctor is very limited in the scope of his exam, cannot perform lab tests or images, and is willing to spend only a few minutes with you because he is being paid a minimal fee by Social Security. By the way, the consultative examination may be with a medical doctor or a licensed psychologist if the alleged impairment is of a mental or emotional nature.
- The doctor is working for and getting paid by Social Security.
- He will often spend no more than 5 to 10 minutes with you.
- Usually, the doctor cannot perform any tests or take an X-ray.
- This doctor has no treating relationship with you as a patient. He has never seen you before and will never see you again.
Do you have to attend a consultative exam when requested by Social Security? Basically, yes. Failure to attend without a good reason (like serious illness) can be a basis for a denial or dismissal of your claim for "non-cooperation." Refusing to attend a consultative exam is never a good idea. Consultative exams are not requested in many cases. The thing that triggers an exam is insufficient medical evidence from the claimant's own doctor(s).
You should know what you are getting into with a consultative examination. In most cases, the doctor is very limited in the scope of his exam, cannot perform lab tests or images, and is willing to spend only a few minutes with you because he is being paid a minimal fee by Social Security. By the way, the consultative examination may be with a medical doctor or a licensed psychologist if the alleged impairment is of a mental or emotional nature.
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