IMA CE

The State agency continues to send letters insisting that Social security Disability (“SSD”) claimants go to consultative examinations (“CEs”) by Industrial Medicine Associates (“IMA”). I represent a 59 year old former security guard with breast cancer and orthopedic problems whose SSD application was approved today, even though she did not go to the IMA CE. 

The State agency was unconcerned about the cancer because it was Stage I. Nonetheless, the claimant had three separate orthopedic specialists who treated her bilateral hand, lumbar spine, and knee problems. Their treatment records and supporting summary reports with functional assessment were obtained quickly. The same State agency that said it was necessary for the claimant to attend a CE, determined that the claimant was disabled from work, despite the fact that she did not attend the IMA CE. 

Ongoing communications with the State agency representative assigned to the claim helped expedite the case. We were able to pin down exactly what the State agency claimed would be needed from the CE, and had the claimant’s doctors’ provide it. Getting the information made the representative’s job easier as we did the job for her. Avoiding the IMA CE with its inevitable conclusion that the claimant could work made the extra effort worth it.