This Internal Medicine Consultative Examination is performed at the request of the Illinois Department of Disability Determination Services (DDS) as part of the disability determination process.

The examination is an independent medical evaluation conducted solely for disability determination purposes. It is not a medical treatment visit, and no diagnosis or treatment recommendations are provided during the examination. This evaluation does not establish a physician-patient relationship with the examining physician.

Our physicians do not determine whether an individual is disabled or eligible for benefits. Their role is to perform an objective medical evaluation, document their findings, and submit a report to the requesting state agency. The disability determination is made by the state disability agency based on all available medical and other relevant evidence.

Our office is conveniently located in downtown Chicago at 22 W. Washington St., Suite 1500, between State Street and Dearborn Street.

The building is ADA-compliant, is marked Morningstar at the entrance, and is located directly next door to the CBS News Chicago studio. We are also on the same street as the Block 37 mall.

Our office is accessible by CTA trains and buses (Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines via the Washington/Lake or Monroe stations), and several public parking garages are available nearby, including 108 N. State St. at Randolph and State. Please allow extra travel time if you are driving, as downtown traffic and parking may cause delays.

Please note: transportation costs, including parking, mileage, taxi, rideshare, or public transit fares, are not reimbursed.

Please bring the following items to your appointment:

• Your appointment letter.
• A valid photo ID.
• A list of your current medications, or the medications themselves in their original containers.
• Glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, or any other assistive devices you use.
• Any mobility or assistive devices you normally use, such as a cane, walker, wheelchair, brace, or prosthesis.

If the state has requested additional testing, such as X-rays or laboratory work, these services are not performed in our office. After your examination with the physician is completed, you will be directed to a nearby facility designated by the state to complete the requested testing. There is no fasting required for labs.

Yes. We have Spanish-speaking staff available to assist with the appointment.

If you speak a language other than Spanish, please arrange to bring an interpreter with you. If you have questions about language assistance or accommodations before your appointment, please contact DDS to arrange for a qualified interpreter, if needed.

If you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment or are feeling unwell, please contact your disability adjudicator or the agency listed on your appointment letter as soon as possible to request a new appointment.

Our office is not authorized to reschedule, cancel, or change appointments. Any changes to your appointment must be made through the requesting state agency.

After your examination is completed, the physician's report will be sent to the requesting state agency for review. Our office does not make disability decisions and cannot provide updates on the status of your claim.

If you have questions about your application or would like a status update, please contact your disability adjudicator using the telephone number and extension listed on your appointment letter. Both the phone number and extension are required to reach your adjudicator.

If you are unable to reach your adjudicator, please leave a voicemail that includes:

• Your full name
• Your case ID number
• A phone number where you can be reached

Please note that disability determination processing times vary. The requesting state agency will notify you directly once a decision has been made.

If your phone number, mailing address, or other contact information has changed, please notify your disability adjudicator as soon as possible. Use the telephone number and extension listed on your appointment letter to contact your adjudicator.