Is It a Good Sign if Social Security Disability Sends You to a Doctor?

If Social Security Disability sends you to a doctor, it is neither a good sign nor a bad sign; it simply means they need more information before approving or denying your claim.

You may not know yet whether you need a Greenville Social Security Disability appeals lawyer, but if your claim gets denied after your requested doctor visit, you can contact Pilzer Klein and talk to an actual South Carolina attorney about the next steps.

We can help you appeal the decision, and if we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us anything.

Why Did Social Security Disability Send You to a Doctor?

Sending you to a doctor is not one of the signs that you will be approved for disability. Instead, it means the Social Security Administration (SSA) is still reviewing your case and needs more information.

The SSA may have sent you to a doctor for a few different reasons.

They Want More Information

Knowing how Social Security determines disability, you can assume they want more information before deciding whether you qualify.

Perhaps your initial application didn’t include enough information, or maybe they want a different doctor to confirm what your primary physician is reporting.

They Want an Independent Medical Opinion

Maybe the SSA decided they don’t entirely trust your doctor’s assertion that you are disabled, and they want an independent doctor of their choosing to confirm it. 

As long as neither you nor your doctor have been lying or exaggerating about your disability, the independent doctor should theoretically be able to determine that your disability does qualify you for money.

They Are Thoroughly Reviewing Your Case

If Social Security Disability sent you to a doctor, it means they didn’t outright reject your claim, and they’re still working on your case. While it may feel disappointing that they require more evidence, sending you to another doctor might be preferable to outright denial.

What Is a Consultative Examination?

A Consultative Examination (CE) may be a physical, psychological, or psychiatric examination performed by an independent physician who has been contracted by the SSA. 

That doctor will report their findings to the Social Security Administration, which will use those findings to decide whether or not to approve your case.

What Happens During a Consultative Examination?

Lasting about 30-60 minutes, a CE will involve the doctor asking about your medical history and doing one or many different types of exams. 

Depending on whether you receive a physical or a psychiatric exam, the doctor may check things like your:

• Reflexes
• Motor strength
• Range of motion
• Attention span
• Concentration
• Memory
• Behavior
• Attitude

Will a Consultative Examination Delay the Decision?

It can take the physician who performs the exam quite a while to write up their opinion and send it to the SSA, so a CE will probably delay the decision on your case while they wait for the results of the exam.

Possible Results of a Consultative Examination

There are three possible results you could receive after going to your CE:

• Denied: The doctor may conclude that you don’t meet the SSA’s criteria, and the SSA will deny your application for benefits.
• Approved: The doctor may also conclude that you do meet the criteria for a claim of disability, and the SSA will approve your application.
• Further Review: Occasionally, the SSA will decide they still don’t have enough information to decide whether to approve or deny your application.

Is it Bad if Social Security Disability Sends You to a Doctor?

Social Security Disability sending you to a doctor means they need more information. It’s neither a good sign nor a bad sign. The doctor will help the SSA determine whether you are eligible to receive benefits.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Disability Decision?

By this point in the process, you may be wondering: How long does it take to get a decision after I apply for disability benefits?

It can take as long as a few years for the SSA to come to an initial decision, and being sent for a consultative examination can extend that timeline even longer.

What’s the Role of a Disability Attorney?

A Social Security Disability attorney can help you file an appeal if your case gets denied, represent you in a hearing, and even sue the Social Security Administration (in South Carolina only if you choose Pilzer Klein) to help you get the money you deserve for your disability.

We work based on contingency fees, meaning we take a portion of the money we help you get. You don’t pay us anything before we start working on your behalf.

Contact a Social Security Disability Lawyer

If you’re struggling with the application process, a South Carolina Social Security Disability Lawyer from Pilzer Klein can help you at any step of the process to get you the Disability benefits you are entitled to.

When you schedule a free consultation, you’ll speak with an attorney experienced in Social Security Disability rather than a non-attorney representative.

Let us help you through this complicated process. Contact us today.