WHEN SOCIAL SECURITY SENDS YOU TO A DOCTOR

In about 20 percent of Social Security disability cases, the agency will send claimants to one of their contracted doctors for a consultative examination (CE). Social Security contracts with doctors in private practice to perform these exams.  Here is generally what to expect at a consultative exam (CE):

• It will be brief.  The doctor may spend as little as 15 minutes with you.  Usually there are no tests.
• The doctor has been provided with a checklist of things to look for.  He/She will focus only on what is on the list.
• CEs are often not helpful for the claimant.

As a result of the examination by this doctor, Social Security will probably deny your benefits.  This happens more often than not.  If it does, you should appeal the denial because it is probably based on a bad physical exam and a bad set of facts.

Here is what you should know about these questionable Social Security doctor's exams:

1)  The exams are superficial and often inadequate to find any disabling impairment, even if there is one (or more).

2)  The doctor who performs these exams is probably not a specialist, and almost certainly is not a specialist in the area of your disabling impairment.

3)  There is an excellent chance the exam will not stand up in court.  Therefore, appeal, appeal, appeal--and do so within the 60 days allowed.

4)  If you have medical records from your own treating doctor, they are usually entitled to more weight than the opinion of the Social Security doctor.  This does you no good, however, unless you appeal.

An appeal is designed to fix errors and to correct mistakes or injustices that may have occurred with your denial of benefits.  For the system to protect you, you must use it.  You must appeal.  And you must appeal quickly.

You may not know the law or the system.  Don't let this stop you.  Get a good representative and let him or her handle the appeal.  There is no risk.  You cannot be charged a fee unless you win and collect past due benefits when the appeal goes your way.  You do not pay any upfront costs to file an appeal.

The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville has been handling appeals for years and has seen hundreds of denials reversed and paid on appeal.  Don't take a denial lying down.  Fight back and win!  Call us at (256) 799-0297.