Consultative Testing

This medical exam is essential to evaluating a claimant’s eligibility in cases in which the SSA believes they have insufficient evidence to make a decision. Understanding what to expect during a consultative examination is important to help you prepare for what is sometimes a confusing process. An ALJ should request only the specific examination(s) or test(s) that he

or she needs to make a decision. If you miss your appointment and don’t immediately reschedule, your claim will likely be denied. The report from your scheduled consultative exam is a key piece of medical evidence the SSA needs to make its disability determination. A consultative exam helps provide SSA reviewers with important medical information related to your Social Security disability benefits claim.

Arkansas COVID-19 Testing Information

This is your opportunity to give the physician a comprehensive account of how your disability affects your everyday life. This helps the SSA make an appropriate decision regarding your Social Security disability determination. Don’t waste this opportunity – put in the time and effort beforehand to make sure you are sharing the most helpful and applicable information possible.

And if you’re not sure whether a lawyer is right for you, we’re a law firm so we can give you advice, for free, on whether a lawyer could actually help your claim. Start with our 2-minute disability quiz and we’ll reach out to learn more about your situation. Many patients report that it’s helpful to have a supportive companion for the exam, and it also helps to have another witness in the room as you answer questions from the examiner.

Consultative Strategy

In most cases, your exam is performed by an independent doctor, physician, or psychologist who is contracted by the SSA. Enhanced content is provided to the user to provide additional context. Give an accurate representation of your disability – this is your chance to give a medical professional a clear impression of how your disability affects your life.

Specific tests — like blood work — may also be necessary to show you meet certain technical requirements for your condition. A consultative exam isn’t strictly a good or bad sign for your disability application, but it probably means you’re more likely to get denied than approved. After the exam, it could still take several months for you to hear back on a decision for your application.

How to measure the effectiveness of a testing strategy?

A software test strategy is a high-level test plan that describes all the information about testing a software application. It includes information like test objective, test environment, test approach, testing tools, a software test strategy name, and risk analysis. Low- or no-cost COVID-19 tests are available to everyone in the U.S., including people who are uninsured, at health centers and select pharmacies. Contact your health care provider or your state or local public health department for more information.

Another reason your doctor may not want to do the exam is that the SSA will pay a set fee and your doctor may normally charge more for that service. In that case, it may be possible for you to pay the difference between what the SSA offers and what your doctor will accept. Your examiner is likely to be busy and will want to keep your visit brief. Make sure you can clearly and succinctly describe your medical condition and its effect on your life without getting off-topic or discussing details that aren’t directly related to your claim. Review your medical history and documentation so that you can speak confidently and accurately about it if you are asked. Some patients find it helpful to make a list in advance of all relevant points they’d like to make.

• Next, the SSA will make a decision to approve or deny your application based on the results of your exam and the rest of your file.
• Don’t feel discouraged if the doctor doesn’t talk much or if you don’t connect with them in your short meeting.
• Keep in mind, though, that whether to review or accept the information you’ve brought with you is up to the examiner.
• Whenever possible, the ALJ should indicate that an equivalent
  test(s) may be substituted for the specific test(s) requested.
• Don’t waste this opportunity – put in the time and effort beforehand to make sure you are sharing the most helpful and applicable information possible.

In many cases, it may be more effective to include medical evidence from your doctor in the form of written documentation that can be included with your claim. Health centers provide free or low-cost COVID-19 tests to people who meet criteria for testing. If there are costs to the patient, health centers may provide sliding fee discounts based on income and family size. Next, the SSA will make a decision to approve or deny your application based on the results of your exam and the rest of your file. Your first check, which includes back pay, should arrive within 60 days. Atticus has a deep network of attorneys with years of experience helping people get Social Security disability.

They’re experts in the disability process and can advise you on the best way to strengthen your claim. Applicants with lawyers are also three times more likely to win benefits. Keep in mind that your doctor must agree to accept payment from the Social Security Administration, perform the requested exam, and send the SSA a formal report. Your doctor must be determined to be an “acceptable medical source” by the SSA for your request to be approved.
To help you make sense of your exam, we’ll break down what your exam says about your application. If you do miss your exam, the SSA will make a decision based on the information they have from your application and your existing medical records. In most cases, you will receive a basic physical or psychological exam. You might also need specific imaging definition of consultative or laboratory tests, such as an EKG, X-ray, or bloodwork. If requested, the examiner may include a diagnosis of your condition, along with a professional opinion about what activities you are able to perform. For example, the physician may note how many hours you are capable of standing or walking and how much weight you are able to lift.