Section 1650.205  Medical Examinations and Investigation of Disability Claims

a)         A member applying for or receiving benefits pursuant to Section 16-149, 16-149.1 or 16-149.2 of the Code shall furnish the System medical records, earnings statements, Social Security benefit or claim information, federal and state tax returns, and any other information deemed relevant by the System to process the member or annuitant's disability claim.

b)         A member or annuitant shall submit to an independent medical examination at the discretion of the System.  The cost of independent medical examinations shall be borne by the System.

c)         In order to verify continued eligibility to receive disability benefits under the provisions of Section 16-149 or 16-149.1 of the Code, a member shall provide to the System at least annually written certifications by two state licensed and practicing physicians verifying that the member remains disabled and is unable to perform the duties of the position he or she held at the time his or her disability commenced.  The physicians' examinations must have occurred within the 90 days prior to the re-examination due date.  Certifications shall be accompanied by a medical report fully explaining the basis for the physician's conclusion that the member remains disabled.  However, this requirement may be waived, at the System's discretion, if it is determined that the member's medical condition or prognosis is irreversible or terminal and will result in a permanent inability to return to his or her former position.

d)         When a disability or occupational benefit terminates and a member elects to retire on a disability retirement annuity, the member shall submit to medical examinations, unless the member's last examinations within the preceding six months substantiate a continuing disability, in which case no new medical examinations are required.

e)         An annuitant in receipt of a disability retirement annuity who becomes eligible for an age retirement annuity shall submit to medical examinations to retain disability retirement annuity status, unless the annuitant's last examinations within the preceding six months substantiate a continuing disability, in which case no new medical examinations are required.

f)         Failure of a member or an annuitant to submit to medical examinations or to provide information required pursuant to Section 16-149, 16-149.1 or 16-149.2 of the Code will result in a suspension of benefit payments.

(Source:  Amended at 44 Ill. Reg. 7905, effective April 24, 2020)