If you are applying for SSI or SSDI benefits, you may be required to undergo a consultative examination. This process is ordered and paid for by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and will help fill in any gaps or clarify any uncertainties in your medical history in order to move forward with your disability claim.
If you are wondering what to expect during your consultative examination in Kansas City, this post will help give some key details and preparation. Our attorneys have significant experience helping clients navigate these exams and challenging unfair or inaccurate reports, especially in light of ongoing litigation against CE providers and the SSA.
The short answer is that anyone who is ordered to attend a consultative examination as part of an application for SSI or SSDI disability benefits will need to undergo the process. Those who are most likely to require an examination include people who have not been to a doctor recently, those who have conflicting information in their medical records, and those who have incomplete medical records.
It is important to understand that the consultative examination is not a treatment session. It is designed to collect objective evidence from a neutral party. The examiner will be a licensed medical professional, but ordinarily it will not be the patient’s own personal doctor.
The sessions will typically range from 20 to 60 minutes and may include a physical examination, mental health examinations, and diagnostic procedures. Patients will not receive treatment plans or prescriptions as a result of the examination. The information from the session will be included in the application.
Those attending a consultative examination in Kansas City should bring:
While an applicant can bring a friend or family member for support, they may not be allowed in the room during the examination. It is a good idea to take notes about the experience. Applicants should be honest and consistent during the appointment. They should not exaggerate their symptoms, but they should also not minimize their condition. Give complete, accurate answers.
The examiner will send the results of the examination directly to the SSA. This report will likely include observations, diagnostic results, and medical opinions. The examination could support or contradict the disability claim, but it is only one piece of a larger set of considerations.
Unfortunately, some examiners prioritize quick completion over thoroughness, sometimes submitting false or misleading reports—a problem that has been highlighted in lawsuits against CE providers and reported by KSHB and the Kansas City Star.
All Kansas City consultative examinations are legislated by the Code of Federal Regulations. These regulations lay out requirements that the examination be completed by a licensed professional who does not have a direct stake in the outcome of the claim.
If you feel that the examination was rushed or if the reported results of the examination contradict your experience of what actually happened, you may want to speak with a lawyer. Some examples of a potentially faulty consultation exam include a ten-minute exam where the provider did not get to the root of your concerns, or performed minimal examinations, but stated they completed examinations you did not recall later in their report.
If the examination is clearly unfair, incomplete, or biased, an attorney can help challenge the validity of the results, especially if they resulted in denied benefits. This might include writing a rebuttal statement, helping to provide updated medical records with additional context, or representing their client in a hearing to dispute the examination results.
Once you know what to expect during your consultative examination in Kansas City, you may have additional questions. We are here to help you prepare for your examination and answer any questions you have about your application for disability benefits.
BurnettDriskill, Attorneys, has the experience and knowledge to guide you through this process and fight for your rights if the exam results are inaccurate or unfair. Call our office today to speak with a member of our experienced legal team.
(816) 781-4836