Tips For Your Social Security Disability Exam

Seven Tips To Maximize Your Medical Exam

What Happens At Your Medical Exam And How You Handle It Is A Critical Step To Getting Your Disability Approved. 


Unfortunately what happens in an exam is commonly not what should happen or what is reported.  These seven tips have helped other members establish credibility and prove that their conditions qualify for Social Security Disability.

​Seven Tips For Your Social Security Disability Exam

#1. Doctor Accountability 

​It's important to hold the doctor accountable.  The goal is to make sure they do what they should do, not what they want to do and the report to SSA is consistent with the exam.

Do not go alone. Bring an advocate (loved one, spouse, friend). Have advocate take notes writing down each move the doctor makes and at what time it was done. In addition, record or video your exam if you can.

Most phones now have recording devices. Ask permission before you start recording.

According to the regulation on the web site below, your exam should be at least 30 minutes long. If it's not, we can argue that it was not thorough.

                      http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-1519n.htm

#2. Do Not Overdress 

​Comfortable casual attire suggested.

#3. Be On Time 

Look up where the hearing location is, what floor, etc. If possible, go to the site before, and scout out a parking area.  Calculate the time it will take you to park and get inside.

#4. Don’t Change Your Treatment Regimen For The Exam

Many Medicare advantage plans give you extra help through the federal government to lower the cost of Co pay's and prescriptions.  Plus, if you are eligible you can change your plan at anytime and dont have to wait for the annual open enrollment.

#5. Medical Records

The examining Doctor will likely not have all your medical records. Thus it is good practice to bring a copy of the last 24 months of medical records. Burn to a CD, thumb drive, or paper. 

The Doctor will not ask for these.  Make certain you present these to the Doctor with the explanation that you want to be 100% certain he get the whole picture.

#6. What To Say

You will likely be asked about your limitations and why you cannot work.  It's important to have a two sentence explanation why you can't work.  You can use what was in the remarks section of your disability application.

Example I cannot sit for more than 10 minutes I cannot stand for more than 15 minutes I cannot climb more than five steps without taking a 30 second break I'm not able to lift more than seven pounds.

Also communicating that you would like to work would be helpful. Example : I miss work and would love to work again. Right now these limitations have just totally knocked me out of work and these disability benefits will help me stabilize my situation so I can get well enough to return.

How to explain your disabled in 2 sentences or less video: https://youtu.be/PdfJbJJoymA

#7. What To Do With This Information

You will likely be asked about your limitations and why you cannot work.  It's important to have a two sentence explanation why you can't work.  You can use what was in the remarks section of your disability application.

Example I cannot sit for more than 10 minutes I cannot stand for more than 15 minutes I cannot climb more than five steps without taking a 30 second break I'm not able to lift more than seven pounds.

Also communicating that you would like to work would be helpful. Example : I miss work and would love to work again. Right now these limitations have just totally knocked me out of work and these disability benefits will help me stabilize my situation so I can get well enough to return.

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