Social Security: Exam needed for disability benefits
A woman recently came into our office to ask about applying for Social Security disability benefits. She explained her family doctor had retired last year and she hadn’t found another one. She was concerned she might have trouble applying for benefits, since she had no doctor to tell us about her medical condition.
I think many people may be in similar situations. Or, perhaps they receive medical care from hospitals, clinics or emergency rooms where they see many different doctors or health care professionals. So, I think it is helpful for people to know Social Security can help get the medical information you need.
When you apply for Social Security disability benefits, we contact the doctors and other health care professionals who have treated you. And even when doctors have moved or retired, their patient records are usually available.
If we receive enough information from these medical sources, we can decide whether you are disabled under Social Security law. However, if we need more information, we ask you to have a special medical examination.
Depending on the medical information we need, we may be able to have your regular doctor perform the exam. Sometimes we will need additional medical information from a specialist, such as an orthopedist or psychologist. We try to find a doctor whose office is convenient for you, and we pay for the exam and the cost of transportation to the doctor’s office.
Of the 1.5 million people who applied for Social Security disability benefits in 2001, about two of every five were referred for a supplemental exam.
It is important to keep your appointment for the exam. Your application probably will be denied if we cannot get enough medical evidence that shows you are disabled under Social Security law.
To learn more about disability benefits and how we make our decision, contact Social Security toll free at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for the following publications, Disability and A Special Examination Is Needed For Your Claim. Copies of these publications also are available on our Website at www.ssa.gov.