Shorter SSDI FCE
Wed, 12/22/2010 - 4:12pm
My supervisor has requested that I come up with a shorter version of my FCEs, for people that are applying for SSDI. The reason is in the interest of time utilization, apparently several hospitals in New Hampshire provide SSDI FCEs in under 2 hours. I have the federal SSA forms, which include general lifting/carrying, sitting/standing/walking, use of hands, use of feet, climbing ladders, stairs, balance, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling. The issue is what to include/leave out, and fitting the evaluation into 2 hours (+ write-up time). Has anyone else been having this experience? I am currently performing "the whole Shebang" with everyone, and my reports have gotten rave reviews from several disability lawyers in the area.
Wed, 12/22/2010 - 4:26pm
#2
The reality is it depends on
The reality is it depends on the state in which you are performing the evaluation. Each state program is run differently and thus the requirements are different regarding what type of information is critical to the review committee. Disability attorneys like the complete format but even then a considerable amount of editing out of superfluous information is required as it is typically considered too much for the typical administrative law judge to consider as admissible evidence towards an individuals disability claim. The suggestion towards your question is to work with the customer to determine what is crucial to their requirements and what is not. At the end of the day our SSDI evaluations look a whole lot different then the ones we complete for disability attorneys, as well as the disability and workers comp markets and is determined by that state's physicians and professional relations officer.
Jeff,
You may want to look at the CAL-FCP protocol at EPIC Rehab. This is short version FCE (about 2 hrs.) developed by Len Matheson for California Disability. You can download the protocol from http://epicrehab.com/Cal-FCP. You can add some other tests/activities as needed to look at specific areas. I have used it for SSDI cases, but I wouldn't use it as a RTW FCE.