When making disability benefit determinations, disability examiners at the Social Security Administration (SSA) and judges often rely upon the opinions of Consultative Examiners (CE), Medical Experts (ME), Vocational Experts (VE), and Medical Consultants (MC). Despite the determinative role these agency employees play in SSA beneficiaries’ cases, their is little public information regarding the specific guidance and training given to these employees.
In December 2023, the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for any policy or written guidance related to certain circumstances when a Consultative Examination is required, and certain other policy documents.
In August 2024, SSA produced the Medical & Psychological Consultant Handbook, updated January 2024. This document sheds light on the training given to the doctors in these roles, and the guidance SSA issues them for making disability benefits determinations.
SSA also produced three additional documents relating to MC and CE recruitment. Pediatric Medical/Psychological Consultant & Consultative Examination Provider Best Practices Recruitment Guide provides information about SSA’s policies for finding and contracting consultative Examiners. Medical Consultant/Consultative Provider Recruitment National Plan Best Practices Guide provides additional guidance about recruiting doctors into these roles. SSA also provided a list of POMS that contain policies related to MC and CE recruitment.
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