Medical Professional Relations Office
Professional Relations Office
The Professional Relations Office (PRO) serves as the link between DDS, SSA and the medical community. The office works to foster relationships with medical entities and maintains oversight of their activities, ensuring SSA and the DDS staff have the resources available to adjudicate disability claims for the Social Security program.
Consultative Exam (CE) Providers
The Professional Relations Office is responsible for managing and monitoring the Consultative Examination (CE) process. DDS maintains and utilizes physicians, psychologists and other health professionals in the community to perform a Consultative Examination (CE) for patients when evidence is unavailable or insufficient to make a determination.
CE providers are paid on a fee-for-service basis by DDS and the exams are conducted at no charge to the patient. The providers performing the CEs are not responsible for making a decision as to whether an individual is disabled or not, but are needed to provide objective information that will assist the DDS in making a medical determination.
Highlights of becoming a CE provider include:
- Providers perform one-time exams in their own office
- Increased patient referrals and exposure of practice
- Flexible schedules based on the provider’s availability Monday through Saturday
- No treatment involved
- Prompt and efficient payment process
- Electronic options for submitting reports
- Free continuing education credits (CME) (Consultant CME Flyer)
All CE providers must be currently licensed in the state in which they are performing examinations and have the training and experience to perform the type of examination or test SSA requires. CE providers must not be barred from participation in any federally-funded program.
Contact the Professional Relations Office
Disability Determination Services
PO Box 82530
Lincoln, NE 68501
E-mail: NE.DDS.MPRO@SSA.GOV
Phone: 1-800-331-5616
Applications
Gen Medical Application Website Packet Word
PA-NP General Medical Application Website Packet Word
Ophthalmological Application (Word)
Optometrist Application (Word)
Otological Application (Word)
Audiologist Application (Word)
Psychiatric Application (Word)
PA-NP Psychiatric Application (Word)
Psychological Application (Word)
SLP Application (Word)