A disability medical examination sounds intimidating but does not have to be. This is standard procedure when the Social Security Administration (SSA) needs more information to determine your eligibility for disability benefits. Learning when disability medical evaluations are ordered and how to prepare might help increase your chances. Talk to a Pennsylvania individual disability insurance lawyer about your options.

When Are Disability Medical Exams Ordered?

A disability medical exam can be ordered by the SSA for a variety of reasons. The overarching reason is the gathering of additional information about your disability. This information can be used to determine whether you meet the full eligibility criteria for disability benefits.

One of the most common reasons a disability medical exam is ordered is a lack of information in the initial disability application. Medical exams may also be ordered when there are inconsistencies or contradictions in what was already submitted. This may also happen when your doctor prefers not to do an evaluation for disability benefits.

You may also prefer a different medical source other than your doctor to perform the disability evaluation. In this case, you can go to a different medical source or reach out to the SSA. The SSA might be able to help guide you on which medical source to choose.

How to Prepare for a Disability Medical Exam

When it comes to preparing for a disability medical exam, there is not much to do other than make sure you can make it to the appointment. A letter will usually be sent by mail with the date and time of the scheduled disability medical exam. If you cannot make it on this date and time, be sure to notify the SSA as soon as possible.

You can do this by calling the phone number or visiting the address of your local SSA office. These are usually provided at the bottom of the letter and can be found online in some cases. Not telling them or not showing up to the appointment may result in denied disability benefits.

To prepare for the medical exam, gather all the information you have about your disability so far. Feel free to write notes about any medications, treatments, or symptoms you have experienced related to your disability. You may or may not need all of these during the exam.

A licensed medical professional will usually perform the exam. This may involve answering questions, performing tasks, and undergoing medical or psychological tests. The doctor will write a report based on these findings and send this to Disability Determination Services (DDS).

Your state agency will review the report to help decide whether you need disability benefits. Try contacting a Pennsylvania disability lawyer if you disagree with their decision. A lawyer might be able to help you obtain disability benefits by filing an appeal.

Call Edelstein & Nelson Today

Do not panic if the medical exam showed you did not need disability benefits. Start by asking a Pennsylvania disability attorney about your legal options. All you have to do is call Edelstein & Nelson today at (800) 300-0909 for a consultation about what steps you can take. Our legal team might be able to help you obtain the disability benefits you need.