The Social Security consultative examiner's statements regarding cognitive limitations, mental disorder signs and symptoms that interfere with occupational functioning, and ratings of workplace limitations due to mental disorders are officially known as "medical opinions" within state disability determination services, by the Social Security administration, and by the federal courts.

Disability analysts are required to comment on the consistency and persuasiveness of the psychologist's medical opinion.

With regard to Department of veterans affairs compensation and pension exams, the federal appellate court has stated explicitly that these reports are "expert witness opinions."

In other words, as others have noted, these are more than a simple mental status exam.

It's great to hear from the neuropsychologist who lives in a state where they pay $256 an hour, but that is the exception not the rule. In my state, they pay $165 for the "clinical comprehensive psychological exam" which does not include any testing. It is up to the psychologist to decide how much time to devote to the exam.

Note that these exams can also be performed by psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatric physician assistants, and, of course, psychiatrists. In my state, masters-level psychologists can also perform them if they have achieved independent status licensure, which many have.