The Social Security Administration (SSA) often orders consultative exams (CE) in disability claims. If SSA believes more information is needed to make a decision, they will order a CE. By federal law, the CE must be performed by a “qualified medical source.” These sources must understand SSA’s regulations and practices.
SSA and its decision-makers rely heavily on what appears in a CE report. In particular, SSA is looking at the findings of tests and exams administered by the examiner.
By its own description, Midwest CES performs exams for SSA. It hosts these exams at different locations in northwest Missouri, usually on Saturdays.
The moonlighting physician performs an exam and signs a report. Midwest CES returns the report to SSA, and SSA treats the report as expert evidence.
Midwest CES has received increasingly larger sums of money from SSA over the years. In 2012, Midwest CES received $31,885 from SSA. This grew to $742,361 by 2017.
Our office has filed lawsuits against Midwest CES and SSA to correct this practice and to ensure that claimants receive fair exams that comply with the law.
We have received several favorable rulings from federal judges ordering new hearings for claimants who appear to have been prejudiced by Midwest CES exams. We continue to pursue this issue.
If you have attended an exam at Midwest CES or another SSA CE and were not treated fairly, please call, text, or e-mail us.
(816) 781-4836