Working closely with your doctor is important for a successful long term disability claim. Insurance companies rely on detailed, objective, and consistent medical evidence to approve LTD disability benefits, so knowing how to work with your doctor for LTD benefits will give your application its strongest chance of approval.

Why Your Doctor’s Support Matters in LTD Claims

Your doctor’s report is the foundation of your long term disability insurance application.

Insurers place a lot of importance on your medical records when making a decision, including specialist opinions, and how your limitations are explained by your doctor.

A supportive and thorough doctor is often the difference between approval and denial of disability benefits.

Link Between Medical Evidence & LTD Approval Rates

Consistent, comprehensive, and objective medical evidence is critical for approval. Insurance companies look for consistency over time, not just a one-time report.

Regularly updated records, specialist referrals, and proof of ongoing symptoms documented by your doctor raise the approval odds for any disability claim.

How Insurers Evaluate Doctor Reports

Insurers scrutinize every detail:

• Reports must provide specific functional limitations, not just diagnoses. Your doctor needs to explain what you can and cannot do based on your symptoms.
  

• Medical forms should never summarize discussions about legal or insurance matters; focus on symptoms, test results, treatment, and real clinical observations.
  

• Narrative reports, where your doctor clearly states their opinion on your disability and inability to work, even if a diagnosis is pending, are extremely helpful.
  

• Be careful if your doctor lists “light duties” or work-from-home options, as insurers may use these to challenge the need for disability benefits.

Key Things That Must Be in Your Doctor’s Report

• A specific diagnosis or clear statement describing your symptoms if a diagnosis is pending but you are not able to work
  

• Objective findings (test results, imaging, clinical observations)
  

• Narrative report describing limitations, prognosis, and response to treatment
  

• Historical progression of the condition, showing a consistent struggle or worsening symptoms
  

• Work capacity comments that align with their overall assessment (remember, try to avoid mentions of any “light duties” or work-from-home options)

Why “Incomplete” Medical Notes Can Hurt Your Claim

Vague or missing medical information is one of the top causes of denied LTD benefits.

If records only say you are “feeling unwell” or repeat a list of symptoms without showing impact on your ability to work, the insurer can deny your claim for lack of evidence.

As well, gaps in your medical records or lack of updates harm credibility.

Make sure every doctor’s visit is documented with new details, and ask for explanations when forms only have “tick box” sections.

Choosing the Right Doctor for Your LTD Claim

• Stick with one physician to show consistency unless referred by that doctor

• Find a doctor committed to supporting your disability claim and who is willing to provide detailed opinions and reports.
  

• If your doctor cannot or will not fill out disability claim forms or narrative reports, request a referral to a specialist who can.
  

How to Communicate Effectively With Your Doctor

Clear communication with your doctor is essential when building medical evidence for LTD disability benefits.

Rather than focusing solely on your diagnosis, make sure every appointment highlights the ways your symptoms and limitations prevent you from performing your job responsibilities.

Bring a symptom diary or daily log to help your doctor track patterns and observe how your health fluctuates over time. Be honest but specific: describe exactly how your condition impacts your ability to work, including failed return-to-work attempts or accommodations.

Ask your doctor to avoid including summaries about your discussions related to insurance or legal strategies within medical notes, as these can be misinterpreted or used against you by the insurance company.

By consistently sharing detailed information and keeping the dialogue focused on health and function, you set up your doctor to provide the strong, clear documentation needed for your long term disability claim.

Preparing for Appointments with the Right Information

When you visit your doctor, make sure you bring:

Medical Records and Your Long Term Disability Claim

• Symptom diary and medication/treatment log
  

• All recent medical reports and test results
  

• List of failed work or accommodation attempts
  

• A checklist of questions to ask for your LTD application

Asking the Right Questions to Get Clear Medical Opinions

It’s important that you ask questions and stay involved in your medical reports.

Some possible questions to ask include:

• Can you explain how my symptoms make me unable to work?
  

• If all tests aren’t complete, can you clearly state in your report why you believe I still can’t work?
  

• Will you provide a narrative statement for my insurer describing my restrictions and need for disability benefits?
  

• Are there specialists you can refer me to for further evidence?
  

• Can we review any reports from independent medical exams?

Avoiding Common Mistakes That Weaken Claims

Beyond missing appointments or having gaps in your treatment, some common mistakes patients make are:

• Failing to follow medical advice or not documenting difficulties
  

• Submitting forms with summaries about insurance/legal discussions

• Not keeping or organizing medical records
  

• Not being fully truthful in symptom diaries or to the insurer (remember, insurers may order surveillance and IMEs)

What to Know If the Insurance Company Sends You to Their Doctor

If the insurance company requires you to attend an independent medical examination (IME) with their chosen doctor, it’s important to understand the process and its potential impact on your claim.

The insurer’s doctor is paid by the insurance company and may be motivated to minimize your limitations or recommend a return to work. Before the exam, review your medical history, treatment records, and key symptoms to present a consistent story.

During the appointment, provide clear, honest, and thorough answers, just as you would with your own physician. Do not exaggerate or downplay your symptoms, and avoid speculation on your diagnosis or legal case—instead, stick to presenting the facts about your daily functioning.

After the IME, ask for a copy of the report and review it with your treating doctor and, if possible, your disability lawyer. If their assessment differs significantly from your doctor’s opinion, gather additional objective evidence or seek a second specialist’s narrative to help reinforce your claim.

Remember, you are entitled to fair and respectful treatment during the process, and careful preparation can safeguard your LTD disability benefits from unwarranted denial.

Why Accurate Medical Records Matter for LTD

Accurate and up-to-date medical records are really important for building credibility with the insurance company during a long term disability claim.

Whenever you review your medical file, take the time to check for any errors, inconsistencies, or missing information. If you find any, promptly request that your doctor correct or update the records to ensure they fully reflect your condition.

Your file should include both objective test results, such as imaging or lab work, and detailed narrative reports from your doctor describing how your symptoms limit your ability to work.

Your records should focus on medical facts and not include opinions or speculation on your case, legal strategies, or your ability to pursue a claim. Insurance companies may use this information to challenge your eligibility for LTD benefits.

How a Disability Lawyer Can Work With Your Doctor on Your Behalf

• Disability lawyers review medical reports to make sure they meet insurer requirements.
  

• They prevent accidental weakening of your claim by clarifying report content or asking for narrative explanations.
  

• They can address missing or problematic information before it harms a claim.
  

• They work directly with doctors and specialists to keep the focus on disability law and protect your rights throughout the process.

Dan’s Story: Winning LTD with Supportive Medical Documentation

Dan’s initial claim for long term disability insurance was denied. With Share Lawyers’ guidance, his doctor rewrote reports to avoid summarizing insurance discussions, added new objective test findings, and clarified in a narrative why Dan could not perform any work—even while some tests were pending. The insurance company reversed its decision, and Dan secured his disability benefits. Dan’s experience shows that focused, accurate, and narrative-driven reports—supported by legal advocacy—are central to LTD claims success.

Checklist: Ensuring Your Medical Evidence Supports LTD

• Doctor provides clear diagnosis—or explanation if still pending
  

• Reports include objective evidence AND narrative statements
  

• Medical notes focus on limitations, not insurance/lawyer discussions
  

• Copies of all records and tests are kept organized
  

• Doctor is willing to submit additional reports or answer insurer questions on disability claim forms
  

• All advice and treatments are carefully followed and documented
  

• All official insurer IME assessments are reviewed by your doctor/disability lawyer
  

Summary

Securing disability benefits starts with knowing how to work with your doctor for LTD: choose a supportive physician, ask for both objective tests and clear narrative reports, keep accurate and up-to-date medical records, and avoid any summaries in your file about insurance or legal discussions. Get legal support if the insurer sends you to their own doctor or if your claim is denied—objective, consistent, and narrative evidence will give your long term disability claim the best chance of success.

Contact Share Lawyers today and let our experience work for you. Our 35+ years of experience can help you win your case against Canada Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and other insurance companies. Our legal team offers a free consultation and works on a contingency basis—there are no fees unless you win your case.