Opinion No. (1997)

DANIEL E. LUNGREN Attorney General ANTHONY S. Da VIGO Deputy Attorney General THE HONORABLE ELOISE ANDERSON, DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, has requested an opinion on the following question: Are non-physician disability evaluation analysts employed by the Department of Social Services authorized to order consultative examinations by physicians or psychologists and clinical laboratory tests in connection with applications for disability benefits under the Social Security Act? CONCLUSION Non-physician disability evaluation analysts employed by the Department of Social Services are authorized to order consultative examinations by physicians or psychologists in connection with applications for disability benefits under the Social Security Act; however, clinical laboratory tests may only be ordered by a non-physician disability evaluation analyst with the approval of a physician. ANALYSIS The Disability Evaluation Division of the Department of Social Services ("Department") is responsible for making disability determinations for California residents who file disability claims under Titles II, XVI, and XIX of the federal Social Security Act ("Act"). (See 20 C.F.R.…