Disability Medical Assessment

If we assess your claim under general medical rules, we may ask you to attend a Disability Medical Assessment. Not everyone who claims DSP needs to attend. We’ll contact you if you need to attend.

You may also need to attend if you’re already getting DSP. This is so we can check if you still meet the DSP medical rules.

What a Disability Medical Assessment is

This assessment helps us decide if you meet the medical rules for DSP.

A Government-contracted Doctor from Sonic HealthPlus will conduct the assessments. The Government-contracted Doctor can be a Medical Practitioner or a Clinical Psychologist.

You should allow up to an hour for your assessment. You don’t have to pay for this assessment.

Your assessment

If you need to attend an assessment, Sonic HealthPlus will contact you. They may send you an SMS before they call. If they can’t reach you by phone they may send you a letter asking you to contact them.

During the phone call, they’ll book your assessment. If you need any help, like wheelchair access, don’t forget to let them know when you’re speaking with them. Let them know if you prefer an assessor of a particular gender to interview you. This may be because of your cultural or religious beliefs.

Most assessments are in person at a Sonic HealthPlus clinic close to you. In some cases, it may be by video conference.

The Government-contracted Doctor will keep your personal information safe. They must protect your right to privacy.

Assessment arrangements related to coronavirus

If you’re feeling unwell or need to isolate yourself at home, please let Sonic HealthPlus know.

To do this, you need to call the Sonic HealthPlus Disability Medical Assessment Contact Centre on 1300 295 822.

Sonic HealthPlus can do your Disability Medical Assessment by video conference or phone. If you can’t attend a video or phone assessment, you can reschedule.

What happens at the assessment

A Government-contracted Doctor from Sonic HealthPlus reviews the medical evidence you provided with your claim. They may contact your treating doctors and health professionals to clarify information about your medical evidence.

They review your impairment rating and asses how your condition affects you.

After your assessment, the Government-contracted Doctor will write a report about the impact of your condition. They’ll then send the report to us.

Their report helps us decide if you meet medical rules for DSP.

What to bring to your assessment

There are things you need to bring to your assessment. This includes:

• identification, for example your driver licence or Australian Passport
• any new medical evidence you haven’t already given us
• aids, equipment or assistive technology you use, such as hearing or visual aids.

You can also bring a relative, friend or an advocate for support, if you want.

You don’t need to bring information you’ve already provided to us for your claim or review.

What to do if you can’t attend your assessment

If you can’t attend your assessment, you can reschedule your appointment. You must tell Sonic HealthPlus no later than 24 hours before the assessment. You must call the Sonic HealthPlus Disability Medical Assessment Contact Centre on 1300 295 822. They’re open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

What happens if you don’t attend your assessment

If you’re claiming DSP and you don’t attend, we may reject your claim.

If you’re already getting DSP, we may stop your DSP until you do attend, or cancel your DSP.

What happens after your assessment

We’ll write to you to let you know the outcome of your claim or medical review.

If you want a copy of your report, call our People with disability line. We’ll let you know if you need to make a formal Freedom of Information request.

If you have questions

Watch our video on Disability Medical Assessments to find out more about the review process.

You can also call the people with disability line if you have questions about your assessment. If you still have concerns, you can give us feedback or make a complaint.