I just did my Social Security Tribunal (SST) hearing last month to try for CPP-D.
I should hear whether or not I’ve been approved before the end of this month.
However, now I’m being told by my insurance company that they want to do the Independent Medical Examination (IME).
The hearing put me through a lot of stress and I’m so anxious about these assessment. I don’t want to be uncooperative but at the same time I don’t even know if I got approved for CPP-D. Is there any way they’ll cancel this assessment if I get approved for CPP-D? It’s too much to handle in such a short time and I’m not doing well mentally. This is absolutely making me worse. My psychiatrist is very supportive but I don’t know what can be done about this medical assessment.
What happens if the assessment traumatizes me? The SST hearing and preparing for the hearing put me into a worse depression than I’ve experienced for a long time, and I have very bad depression.
Are you allowed to stop the assessment if they ask me something inappropriate? Is there any support someone can get for having to do this? I believe it’s being done on video chat, but I’m still so scared. It feels very invasive.
@David_Brannen just wanted to flag this because the only response I got to my post was abusive and I reported it. This same person posted to another individual and it was equally rude and inappropriate. Really hope there is decent moderation on here.
Hey Cornflakes that’s a tough spot to be in. I don’t know the answers to your questions. Hopefully it will get cancelled. Are there any accommodations that would make the IME easier on you? On the flip side the harder it is for you to complete, the stronger the evidence of disability it just sucks that the effects are lasting.
I would do your best to attend your IME, as it is a contractual requirement to maintain your LTD payments.
Is there someone you trust that can attend the IME with you?
I would stop the IME and leave the moment you are overwhelmed and can’t continue. If You end up doing that then immediately send an email to the insurer that you had to end the IME for xyz reasons, and that you are open to reschedule to complete the IME.
I had an IME recently. I would attend it as otherwise the insurer can cut off your benefits for not cooperating. In the notice I was given about the IME, it stated that I could NOT have anyone else in the room with me during the assessment. So just make sure it doesn’t say anything in any notices, letters etc from your insurer about not being allowed to have a support person present in the same room during the IME.
The IME assessor will be testing endurance. So, if you need a break, make sure to ask the assessor for a break. They probably won’t give you one unless you ask. If you can no longer continue, then let the assessor know. They cannot force you to continue and will reschedule the remainder as necessary.