Physician - Neurology

Thank you for your interest in Maximus and supporting the SSA-Social Security Administration Medical Judgement Appeals, Peer
Review and Arbitration.
Description: The Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) requires the services of a Contractor
to provide Medical Expert (ME) witnesses to provide testimony in hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) at which
claimants are appealing denial of certain benefits administered by SSA. These hearings involve claims for benefits authorized under
the following titles of the SSA, as amended: Title II, Disability and Title XVI, Supplemental Security Income. SSA conducts hearings
at Hearing Offices (HO’s) throughout the US, including US territories, Guam, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and American Samoa.
The ME shall participate in the hearings via telephone or on rare occasion, via video at the discretion of the ALJ These hearings are
administrative proceedings and do not take place in a court of law.
Review Example: ME Study Prior to the hearing:
The ME shall conduct a review of the medical portions of the claims file or other evidence provided by OHO in a manner consistent
with the ME Handbook dated August 2017 (ME Handbook), Attachment D-3. The ME shall comply with all subsequent versions of
the ME Handbook. The ME Handbook can be found at https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/me.html. The ME shall be familiar with the
evidence such that the ME is able to respond to an ALJ during the hearing without delay caused by searching through the case file.
1. Interrogatories: Interrogatories are written questions the ALJ may ask the ME to answer in writing. Should be about 20-30
minutes, it's reviewing the chart and answering the 20 or so questions. The ME shall, if instructed to do so by the ALJ may have to
provide answers to the interrogatories either before or after a hearing. The ME shall respond to interrogatories by uploading their
responses in Electronic Records Express for Experts (ERE for Experts)
2. The ME Testimony at ALJ Hearing (30mins to an hour) The ME participates in the hearing before an ALJ and provides the results
of his or her study orally during the hearing. The ME shall provide testimony at the hearing in a manner consistent with the ME
Handbook and all resources cited in the ME Handbook and provide timely responses to the ALJ’s questions. The ME shall cite,
explain, and furnish citations to any sources relied on to support the ME testimony. Hearings are held over the phone in front of an
Administrative Law Judge over the phone. Typically, last 15-20 minutes.
Deliverables: Conduct Case Study Review Prior to Hearing – MEs shall:
Receive, open, and navigate electronic folders.
Fully complete case study reviews and understand the medical evidence contained in the record prior to a hearing; and have a
working understanding of the concepts and regulations that the ALJ will consider in determining disability.
The ME shall answer all questions completely. The ME shall explain and support, with references, the ME’s response to specific
medical findings and other evidence the ME received from the hearing office. The ME shall identify the reports in which the evidence
it relies upon is contained. SSA requires all MEs whom complete interrogatories be available to testify, should their testimony at a
hearing be deemed necessary by the ALJ.
*Must be ready 5 minutes prior to testimony and be available for 45 minutes beyond hearing time for potential delays
Due Date: ME shall provide completed interrogatories within 15 calendar days via ERE for Experts. Hearings for assigned case
reviews.
are typically scheduled 75 days out; so, hearings for cases received July 1 will be scheduled in Sept.
Training: Training will be provided by Project
Rates:
Tier 2 Pay Rate
Medical Expert Study & Testimony (Per Case) $ 205
Medical Expert Study & Interrogatory (Per Case) Interrogatory $165.00
Medical Expert Study ONLY (Per Case) $95.00
Medical Expert Testimony: Hearings for assigned case reviews are typically scheduled 75 in advance, be ready 5 minutes before
hearing and be available for 45 minutes in case of a delay. Hearings usually take 20-30 minutes.
Medical Expert Interrogatories: should be about 20-30 minutes, it's reviewing the chart and answering the 20 or so questions, could
be a little longer depending on the provider or less)
Government Clearance Requirements: Will be supported by the project to complete Suitability documents: Completed Optional
Form (OF) 306, Fair Credit Reporting Act Authorizations (FCRA), Work authorization for non-US born applicants, E-QIP (Electronic
Questionnaire for Investigations Processing), SF 85 background investigation, SF 86 Medical Release, Fingerprinting, Required,
even if already completed, to include for VACPR, Start Process typically takes 10 days or less. Whole background process can take up to 30 days