The number one question I am always asked about activities and surveillance is whether or not insureds can play golf. Although my answer is always “No”, not everyone follows good advice, and unfortunately claims are denied as a result of headstrong decisions to place their disability claims at risk.
Golf is perhaps the most popular sport there is. It requires, stamina to walk the course, cognitive decision-making, bending, stooping, reaching overhead, kneeling, fine finger manipulation, arm/wrist strength, ability to devise strategy, back and spine stability, well…you get the picture. In fact, the sport of golf requires the use of nearly every physical system of the mind and body in order to play.
In reality, I have always advised insureds and claimants to never exceed medical restrictions and limitations reported to insurance companies. As a former insurance specialist myself I could most definitely deny most claims with surveillance back-up showing insureds playing golf.
I really am dumbfounded because I can’t figure out why insureds with monthly benefits of $5,000 or more would risk benefits for a game of golf. Surely, the odds of getting a score of 54 can’t be that addictive, but my observations would prove that it is.
The “urge”, if you will, to play golf is almost exclusively exhibited by doctors, lawyers, and other professions who are used to calling the shots and who have large dollar claims. I just had a conversation last week with a disabled physician who insisted golf helped to keep him limber and agile. His insurance company will regard “agile and limber” as the functional capacity to “manipulate patients” in a work environment. This is one doctor who will be going back to work if he’s not careful.
In a strange way, golf exceeds medical restrictions and limitation for most disabilities. Anyone who reports mild to severe fatigue shouldn’t be able to walk or ride 9-18 holes of golf. Those with back problems probably should not be swinging a golf club, pushing golf carts, or carrying a golf bag. Now, the moment I say this, the comeback is always, “Yes, but I ride in a cart and have a caddy.” OK, but surely someone else isn’t hitting the ball for you as well.
The nemesis of working as a Consultant is that some people won’t listen to best advice. Therefore, I’m still on the record for recommending staying away from playing golf for all of the common sense reasons. Only you can decide whether the risk is worth losing benefits, and this is one time and situation that won’t be a hole in one.
