Should you trust the Social Security Disability Doctor?

First of all, for anyone who's not aware, let's define what a social security doctor is. The most literal definition for the phrase "social security doctor" would be: the medical consultant who works with the disability examiner (and is assigned to the examiner's case processing unit) to arrive at a medical determination on a social security disability or SSI disability case. These doctors are actually on the government payroll and have decisional input into disability claims.

But, that's not what most people really mean when they use the term "social security doctor". Usually, this term is used when referring to the doctor who will conduct a social security consultative medical examination (either a physical exam, psychological exam, or psychiatric exam) for social security.

This type of exam is ordered by either a disability examiner or disability judge (depending on what level the case is at) and is paid for by the social security administration. Its purpose is to provide recent medical record documentation that may be necessary to close a case. However, the doctors who conduct such consultative exams (CE) are not employees of the social security administration or of one of the state disability processing agencies (usually called disability determination services, or something similar to this, depending on the state). These physicians are independent and are contracted to provide examination services.

Now that the definition for the term has been established, back to the original question, which was "Should you trust the social security disability doctor"? And, as we've said, by that we mean the doctor who conducts the independent medical exam?

Answer: No. As a former disability examiner, I have been on the receiving end in multiple capacities. First of all, I have heard many hundreds of complaints voiced by claimants as to how they were treated by the doctor who conducted their exam (all too often, these doctors conduct hurried exams and are rude to the claimants they examine). Secondly, I have read hundreds of consultative exam reports written by doctors who have indicated observations such as the following:

1. "Patient stated he felt fine and free of pain."

2. "Patient had no difficulty getting onto examination table".

3. "Patient used cane in office, but did not use cane while walking to his car".

Statements such as these indicate that doctors who examine claimants for SSD and SSI disability cases will sometimes go out of their way to make notations in their examination reports that are not helpful to a claimant's case.

Observations such as these can influence an examiner's decision on a case. However, should they?

Regarding item number one, even patients who are in pain will often be reluctant to express how badly they feel to people they have just met, even if those individuals are doctors.

Regarding item number two, the simple act of getting onto an examination table does not refute the presence of pain, or invalidate one's alleged mobility problems (some people simply try to do their best at all times and even hide their pain).

And, regarding item number three, there are many patients with severe back problems who do not need the use of a cane at all times.

Nonetheless, doctors make such observations routinely on reports submitted to the social security administration. Pointed advice for anyone going to a social security disability exam should include the following:

1. Never be afraid to address your pain and/or mobility issues with a doctor, including one who is conducting a social security medical exam.

2. Be aware of the fact that, from the moment you enter the examining doctor's parking lot until the time you drive away, you may be observed by a biased doctor.










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