3 Things Your Doctor Can Write For LTD Approval | Disability Law Show TV – S3 E9

Episode Summary

THREE THINGS YOUR DOCTOR  CAN WRITE TO HELP YOU GET APPROVED FOR LTD on the Disability Law Show with disability lawyer and partner Sivan Tumarkin.

Watch above to discover the steps you need to take when the insurance company cuts off or denies your long term disability claim in Ontario or British Columbia, on the only disability law show on TV and radio in Canada.

Episode Notes

Disability Claim Denied Despite Neurological Disorder

When I contacted a disability lawyer after my claim was denied, my lawyer told me to appeal. I hired a different lawyer and started a legal claim and it’s been over a year and nothing has happened on my case. What should I do?

Segment starts at 1:32

EMAIL: Benefits cut off due to attending conferences

I’m an executive at a tech company with a private LTD policy. I started receiving LTD benefits last year due to depression and anxiety, but my benefits were cut off early because they learned through Facebook that I had attended a few tech conferences. My appeals were denied. Should the insurance company have cut me off when I wasn’t attending the conferences as a work function?

Sivan explains that insurance companies look at the claimant’s social media profiles. They can use this information as leverage in order to cut off benefits. It is important for clients to be truthful but also bear in mind aspects of their life will be closely looked at.

Segment starts at 7:35

3 Things Your Doctor Can Write to Help You Get Approved for LTD

1️⃣ What functional limitations, if any, the claimant has

Doctors need to give specifics in terms of what a claimant can/can’t do. The more information provided to the insurer the stronger the case becomes.

Segment starts at 12:56

2️⃣ The claimant’s prognosis

A prognosis is typically nuanced and doctors are encouraged to share their opinion in relation to the foreseeable future.

Segment starts at 14:47

3️⃣ Treatment recommendations

It is very helpful to prescribe treatments and confirm the patient is complying with the treatments.

Segment starts at 18:36

Asked to do Neuro-psychological assessment

I’ve been off work for 3 years and suffer from chronic pain and depression. I have a new case manager who is ordering me to do a neuropsychological assessment, which will apparently take 7 hrs, not including travel time. Can I request that the appointment be broken up into smaller blocks of time? Is there a limit to how many assessments they request from an individual?

Sivan explains that a client can request aid from their doctor and recommend how the assessment should be broken down and request accommodation.

Segment starts at 21:45

EMAIL: Followed by an insurance adjuster

My mom worked as a law clerk but had to stop working 2 years ago because of chronic back pain, vertigo, and migraines. She tried to go back to work but could not manage. She’s getting treatment for her health, but her insurer recently asked her to keep a daily journal of her activities and she suspects that she was followed while grocery shopping and is worried her benefits are going to get cut off. Her doctors are supporting her, but is there anything else she can do?

Sivan explains that it is in the best interest of a client to keep a journal and be truthful as well as specific and detailed. An insurance adjuster can only request for a client to perform tasks that are in compliance with the insurance policy terms.

Segment starts at 24:59

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Next Episode: Disability Law Show S3 E10 – 3 Things you shouldn’t ask your doctor to do if you’re disabled

Previous Episode: Disability Law Show S3 E8 – 3 Mistakes People Make When They’re Denied LTD