When making a determination involving a physical impairment(s), in a childhood SSI
claim, the preferred medical consultant (MC) is a qualified pediatrician or other
qualified pediatric medical specialist.
A qualified pediatrician is a licensed physician (medical or osteopathic doctor) who:
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has obtained specific training in the medical care and treatment of infants, children,
adolescents, and young adults; and
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is a member of a Disability Determination Services (DDS) or Social Security Administration
(SSA) team that makes disability determinations.
Family practitioners are licensed physicians who provide medical care and treatment
to people of all ages. They can fall under the qualified pediatrician role necessary
to make a disability determination involving physical impairments if they have specific
training in medical care and treatment and is a member of the DDS or SSA team.
An appropriate qualified pediatric medical specialist, must be a licensed physician
with a field of specialization that is appropriate to the child's medical condition
and who is also a member of the DDS or SSA team. Examples of pediatric medical specialist
include, but are not limited to specialties such as a cardiology, ophthalmology, hematology-oncology,
endocrinology, neurology, gastroenterology, nephrology, and pulmonology.
If a qualified pediatrician or other qualified pediatric medical specialist is not
available, an internist or other medical doctor with similar training or experience
may be chosen as an appropriate and acceptable MC.