When the CE discloses new diagnostic information or test results that reveal a potentially life-threatening situation(s) (i.e., an emergency, life or death situation where harm is believed to be imminent), send a copy of the CE report to the claimant's current medical source.

For more information on determining whether a circumstance meets the agency's criteria for disclosure without consent involving matters of health and safety, see GN 03316.135.

The Disability Determination Services (DDS) can only disclose a CE report to the claimant's medical source without permission if the report contains new diagnostic information or test results that reveal a situation meeting the criteria described in GN 03316.135, i.e., an emergency, life or death situation where harm is believed to be imminent.

If the situation does not constitute an emergency, life or death situation where harm is believed to be imminent, but otherwise raises agency concern or if there are any questions concerning the appropriateness of the disclosure, contact the regional Privacy Act Coordinator, who may in turn contact the Office of the General Counsel.

Follow the instructions in DI 22510.070C, in this section, when releasing a CE report, with a cover letter, to a claimant's medical source. For cover letter model language, see NL 00705.0753.

If the CE report contains new information that reveals an emergency, life or death situation:

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  Send the CE report to the claimant's medical source,

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  Include a copy of the cover letter to the medical source in the electronic folder,

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  Annotate the Case Development Worksheet (CDW) indicating you sent a copy of the CE report to the claimant's medical source (see NL 00705.753 for model language for the cover letter to the medical source),

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  Notify the claimant if you send the CE report to the medical source without the claimant's permission (refer to GN 03316.135C for template language to be included in the notice to the claimant), and

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  Include a copy of the letter to the claimant in Section E (Disability Related Development (Blue)) of the disability folder.

If the claimant does not have a medical source and the CE report indicates an emergency, life or death situation where harm is believed to be imminent, advise the claimant in a letter to see a health care provider for evaluation or treatment. Include a copy of the letter to the claimant in Section E (Disability Related Development (Blue)) of the disability folder. Use the following model language in the letter:

The Social Security consultative examination/test indicated a situation which requires immediate medical evaluation and/or treatment. We recommend that you be evaluated and/or treated immediately. If you do not have a medical source, or cannot pay for such services, please contact your local agency or medical facility where you can receive services at limited or no cost.