Why Doctors are Part of the Disability Claims Process

Anya, 47, is in the process of applying for disability benefits due to severe anxiety.

Although she has been seeing the same doctor for the last ten years, she is becoming frustrated by his busy schedule. She’s tried to book several appointments with him to get documented evidence that she is suffering from a mental health disability, but has been unsuccessful.

Worried that she might jeopardize her disability claim, Anya searched for a new primary care physician in Ontario using the provincial website. She found one who was not only accepting new patients but was also keen to take her on. Anya met with her new doctor and was pleased with how helpful he was in documenting her disability and providing her with detailed, timely reports.

Medical evidence is important to disability claims

Many times, the insurance company will claim that a doctor’s evaluation of their patient’s inability to work is not persuasive enough. This is why it is important to keep records of everything related to a disability claim. A narrative report from a specialist or primary physician can be significant to a claim. This report should contain not just the diagnosis and the doctor’s opinion on their patient’s disability, but also a thorough treatment of their symptoms, how those symptoms affect their functionality both in and out of the workplace, the treatment they are undertaking and, if available, a prognosis into their future.

Video: When should I apply for disability benefits if I don’t have a diagnosis?

A detailed doctor’s report can make a big difference

Here is some general information on how doctors can help best manage the disability forms that need to be completed on behalf of their patients.

Doctors should refrain from rewriting discussions they have had with their patients in which they refer to details of discussions with the disability insurance company or lawyers. These notes will inevitably be seen by the insurance company when they request clinical notes and records.

If a doctor hasn’t firmly established a diagnosis but is certain that their patient is unable to work, the disability insurance forms filled out by the physician should clearly say this. Insurance companies tend to use the lack of a definitive diagnosis as a reason to deny the client based on insufficient medical evidence.

A doctor may believe their patient’s symptoms are legitimate but need additional testing to make a precise diagnosis. This doesn’t mean that the patient is not disabled; it presumably means that establishing the next steps for treatment remains unclear. When a doctor provides narrative reports to the insurance company, it should clearly include their opinion so that the insurer won’t interpret the notes unfavourably.

Although a doctor may suggest that a patient work from home or take on lighter duties in the hopes that it might keep the patient’s mind active and engaged and benefit them overall, this may backfire. The insurance company will focus on those comments and ignore whatever else the doctor may have to say about their patient’s ability to work.

How doctors can best use their time to help patients with a disability claim

Many cases for denied disability claims can take over a year to be resolved, which means that patients are suffering through not only the ailment itself but also with the added stress of fighting with the insurance company.

More often than not, a patient keeps returning for help that a doctor may not be able to provide, and the time arrives when the best thing a medical professional can do is refer the patient to someone that can help. The easiest way out is to refer the patient to a disability law firm with experienced long-term disability lawyers who can help support your patient during this difficult time in their life. That’s where Share Lawyers can help you. We offer your patients a free consultation to help them determine their options.

When doctors refer their patients to Share Lawyers they don’t have to deal with the patient time after time on their own as they battle with the insurance company. This referral will immediately give the patient access to multiple resources that will support them on numerous fronts, including multiple disability lawyers (not just one), additional medical resources that can help to verify and validate the claim, financial resources, plus a network of recommended support services and trusted physical and mental health therapists, all within a streamlined workflow that is built to accelerate the case progress.

It’s called Life reBUILDER™, exclusively from Share Lawyers. It offers unique add-on services to help rebuild a patient’s life and get them back on track. That is why we are truly different.

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A note from our long term disability lawyers

Taking a medical leave from work is not an easy decision to make. Concerns about providing for yourself and your family and keeping your job may cause you to want to push through your pain, but this won’t make your problems go away. Stopping work is often the smartest decision for your long term health and well-being, and your disability benefits are there to provide you with financial support until you can return to work.

If you have made the tough decision to stop working and apply for your short term disability or long term disability benefits, you may feel overwhelmed by the process and have questions that your employer and your insurance company are not able or willing to answer. Share is There to see you through and answer your questions.

Our disability law firm knows what you have been going through

We understand that things have not been easy for you over the last little while. Your health has been suffering, you are unable to work, and now your insurance company, who was supposed to be there in your time of need, has decided they will not pay your disability benefits or respect your disability claim. These benefits exist to provide you with the financial support you need so that you can focus on your health and rebuilding your life. It is unfortunate that your insurance company has not lived up to its promise. If your disability claim has been denied, we will fight to get you the benefits you are entitled to. Our disability lawyers have helped thousands of Canadians get their long term disability benefits over the past 35 years, and we can help you too.

Our experienced disability lawyers can fight back on your behalf

Share Lawyers believes that every client who is dealing with a disability claim deserves superior personal service. To achieve that goal, we have developed our team of experienced, compassionate, and caring long term disability lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staff to meet all of your needs. Our team of experienced long term disability, life insurance, employment, and critical illness insurance lawyers have made successful claims against many insurance companies, third-party administrators and employers.

If you are unable to work, your disability benefits should be there to provide you with the financial support you need. While your insurance company may be focused on finding ways to avoid paying your claim, our focus is on what is in your best interest. When Share Lawyers gets involved, you have an entire team of lawyers that are there to support you and to fight for what is yours.

Our disability claim lawyers fight for your disability insurance claim by relying on our many years of experience to apply the best strategic planning and approach in each case, using the latest technology available. Experience matters, and with Share Lawyers, you are in the best hands with 35 years of success on your side.

In this video, we explain the role of a long term disability lawyer and how we can support you when you have been denied your long term disability benefits.

Denied your long term disability claim?

Contact Share Lawyers today and put our experience to 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. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless you win your case. Join us on Facebook and become a Top Fan for a chance to win each month.