Who has a copy of the Medical Expert Handbook?

Flatlander · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 135

I'd love to get my little flatlander paws on a copy of the ME handbook. T. Bush has a an excerpt from it in his materials at Appendix 9, but I'd feel more comfortable with a copy in my possession.

Any help?

David Traver · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:21 pm Post subject:

If nobody shows up with one, you could always do a Freedom of Information Act Request and get an original. (I'd be happy to post it on Connect if you get one).
http://www.ssa.gov/foia/html/foia_guide.htm

JOA · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 2021

Dear Flatlander:

I offer this suggestion without checking my (dated) copy of TB's book and without doing any research. But could it be that this is what you're asking about?

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/

Flatlander · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 135

That's not it, JOA, but thanks.

In the Bush manual, he has excerpted and printed 19 pages of the "Medical Expert Handbook." He has the front cover there, and on it is the SSA, OHA, Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge, Medical Expert Handbook, Second Edition April 1992.

Dave: I've done some research on filing a FOI request but have never done one. I've reviewed the SSA's policy and find myself wondering how its information can be so protected when the ACLU can get presidential emails.

JOA · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 2021

SSA’s Intranet comes equipped with its own Google-powered search engine. So it’s possible to search not just PolicyNet, but every damn thing that’s anywhere on the Intranet. The typical set of hits for something that’s in print is moderately large. For example, “blue book” gets 443 hits.

“Medical expert handbook” gets two hits. One is to a 1993 position description. The other is to a recent position description that appears to come supplied with heirloom language.

I don’t say that there’s no such thing these days as a “Medical Expert Handbook.” I do say that I’ve done a ****load of intranet searching in my time, often with considerable success—and I can’t find one. So I suggest to you that the handbook itself is some sort of heirloom that's no longer in use.

It’s likely that either the ODAR library or the main library in Baltimore has a copy. But will it help you to find a historical document? I’m still thinking that the Blue Book is the current thing for MEs.

Flatlander · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 135

Thanks for the effort, JOA. I surely appreciate it.

TCardillo · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 10

I have a copy in my research files. If you'll send me your e-mail address, I'll send it to you in pdf.

I have no idea where it came frome; it was an Appendix to another document. I have the VE Handbook, as well.

Trisha Cardillo, ADR
Vice President, NADR
trisha[at]ssdisabilityassistance.com
www.ssdisabilityassistance.com

Flatlander · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 135

Thanks, Trisha.

What is the name of the document that this was appended too? I have my local ODAR office looking for the Medical Expert Handbook. They will never find it if it is just an appendix!