Filing for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is a stressful process, so few people welcome the news that they’re scheduled for a consultative exam with a strange doctor – but it is a common occurrence.
If that’s where you’re at, it’s critical to understand that a consultative exam is not like any other doctor’s appointment you’ve had. The doctor you’re about to see is not your doctor, and they have no intention or interest in treating you. They work for the state agency that makes disability determinations, and their sole function is to evaluate your condition and provide a report to the Social Security Administration.
While this part of the SSD application process can be intimidating, knowing how to handle yourself during the appointment can make a big difference.
1. Consider why the exam was scheduled
A consultative exam does not automatically mean Social Security believes you are exaggerating your condition or that your claim will be denied. Most likely, your medical records are incomplete or outdated or there are conflicting medical opinions in the file. Focus on giving the consultative doctor clear details that will “fill in the gaps” that relate to the reason the exam was likely scheduled.
2. Be blunt and honest about your condition
Some applicants try to “push through” symptoms during the exam because they are embarrassed or worried about appearing weak. Others may unintentionally exaggerate symptoms due to stress or frustration. Neither approach is helpful. Describe your symptoms as accurately as possible, including:
- What you experience on a typical day
- How your condition affects daily activities
- What tasks are difficult, especially when your condition flares
- How long you can sit, stand or walk on an average day
- Whether pain, fatigue, anxiety or concentration problems affect you
Specific examples are often more helpful than broad statements. It’s also perfectly acceptable (and often honest) to say that your condition varies from day to day. For example, if you have a back condition, you may feel better in the early morning after you have rested all night, but quickly have your condition deteriorate once you start to move around. If so, it is perfectly acceptable to admit that. That sort of information lends credibility to your claims.
3. Assume the doctor is coming in blind
It is wisest to assume that the physician doing the consultative exam has not read your entire file – or any of it. Be prepared to give a concise explanation of your medical conditions, symptoms, treatment history and current medications. Bring with you a list of hospitalizations, treating providers and a rough timeline that explains when you were diagnosed.
4. Recognize that you are probably being watched
Knowing that the evaluation starts before you even meet the doctor and keeping that fact in mind will put you one step ahead of most people. The staff at the doctor’s office is most likely observing how you walk, sit, communicate, process information and interact with others in the waiting room. Their observations will be written down and factored into the doctor’s report.
This doesn’t mean you should “perform” or dramatize your symptoms. However, it does mean that you should not minimize your symptoms or hide your limitations.
SSDI exams can feel very impersonal, incomplete and uncomfortable. The process is unfamiliar and the stakes are pretty high. It’s natural to worry that you’ll say the wrong thing or fail to explain your condition clearly. Good preparation ahead of the appointment can help reduce some of your anxiety and put you in a better position moving forward. A skilled SSDI attorney can also help you prepare and provide guidance that can make it easy for your claim to succeed.