---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 C.F.R. § 416.919a"
title: "20"
number: "416.919a"
heading: "When we will purchase a consultative examination and how we will use it."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/20/416.919a"
---

# §416.919a. 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 [§ 416.912](/cfr/20/416.912.md) for the procedures we will follow to obtain evidence from your medical sources and [§ 416.920b](/cfr/20/416.920b.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 support 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, or, if you are a child, your functioning, but the current severity of your impairment is not established.

## Notes

### Amendments

[56 FR 36964, Aug. 1, 1991, as amended at 62 FR 6421, Feb. 11, 1997; 77 FR 10656, Feb. 23, 2012]

### Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 421(m), 902(a)(5), 1382, 1382c, 1382h, 1383, and 1383b; secs. 4(c) and 5, 6(c)-(e), 14(a), and 15, Pub. L. 98-460, 98 Stat. 1794, 1801, 1802, and 1808 (42 U.S.C. 421 note, 423 note, and 1382h note).

### Source

Source: 45 FR 55621, Aug. 20, 1980, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[56 FR 36964, Aug. 1, 1991, as amended at 62 FR 6421, Feb. 11, 1997; 77 FR 10656, Feb. 23, 2012]