---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 C.F.R. § 404.1519a"
title: "20"
number: "404.1519a"
heading: "When we will purchase a consultative examination and how we will use it."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/20/404.1519a"
---

# §404.1519a. When we will purchase a consultative examination and how we will use it.

- (a) **General.** If we cannot get the information we need from your medical sources, we may decide to purchase a consultative examination. See [§ 404.1512](/cfr/20/404.1512.md) for the procedures we will follow to obtain evidence from your medical sources and [§ 404.1520b](/cfr/20/404.1520b.md) for how we consider evidence. Before purchasing a consultative examination, we will consider not only existing medical reports, but also the disability interview form containing your allegations as well as other pertinent evidence in your file.
- (b) **Situations that may require a consultative examination.** We may purchase a consultative examination to try to resolve an inconsistency in the evidence, or when the evidence as a whole is insufficient to allow us to make a determination or decision on your claim. Some examples of when we might purchase a consultative examination to secure needed medical evidence, such as clinical findings, laboratory tests, a diagnosis, or prognosis, include but are not limited to:
  - (1) The additional evidence needed is not contained in the records of your medical sources;
  - (2) The evidence that may have been available from your treating or other medical sources cannot be obtained for reasons beyond your control, such as death or noncooperation of a medical source;
  - (3) Highly technical or specialized medical evidence that we need is not available from your treating or other medical sources; or
  - (4) There is an indication of a change in your condition that is likely to affect your ability to work, but the current severity of your impairment is not established.

## Notes

### Amendments

[56 FR 36956, Aug. 1, 1991, as amended at 77 FR 10655, Feb. 23, 2012]

### Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 402, 405(a)-(b) and (d)-(h), 416(i), 421(a) and (h)-(j), 422(c), 423, 425, 902(a)(5), and 1320e-3; sec. 211(b), Pub. L. 104-193, 110 Stat. 2105, 2189; sec. 202, Pub. L. 108-203, 118 Stat. 509 (42 U.S.C. 902 note).

### Source

Source: 45 FR 55584, Aug. 20, 1980, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[56 FR 36956, Aug. 1, 1991, as amended at 77 FR 10655, Feb. 23, 2012]