There seems to be an outbreak of treating physicians who refuse to write medical restrictions and limitations, or are reluctant to say someone is “permanently disabled.” My impression is that physicians have become reluctant to be involved in disability claims and are choosing not to support disability.
The “tell tale” sign of a physician who is, or is becoming, reluctant to sign paperwork is one who complains on every visit, avoids filling out the medical restrictions and limitations sections of update forms, and may even suggest you look for treatment elsewhere. There could be many reasons why physicians are acting this way.
In this day and age, third-party paper chasers have harassed physicians so much that in a way it doesn’t surprise me they dislike disability patients. In a busy practice, phone calls from Release Point or Claimify disrupt the practice, and the nurses are thrown off-guard when asked questions on the phone.
It could also be that some physicians really don’t think patients ARE as disabled as they claim to be, and are reluctant to say they are. Physicians who fax forms and patient notes directly to insurance companies even though you’ve requested they not do that, probably don’t want you to see what they’re communicating about your physical ability to work.
Let’s not underestimate insurance companies, they have their ways of convincing physicians to agree to “work capacity.” DCS, Inc. has a way of managing that, but those who are managing their own claims haven’t a clue.
Physicians do not want to spend time on filling out forms. I get the impression “they’ve had enough” of it, and of course, there is always the danger of having to go to court. Physicians are getting more and more resistant with supporting disability, and even if they DO fill out the forms won’t say that their patients are totally disabled.
Insureds need to speak up and be able to discuss what they need from their doctors. If treating physicians are reluctant to fill out the paperwork correctly, then a disabled patient needs to speak up and ask for a referral to someone else. My readers and clients have probably heard me say and write many time, “no medical, no disability claim”, and it’s quite true enough. A physician who isn’t supporting your disability 100% isn’t going to get you anywhere and could actually throw you under the bus at any time.
I am writing about this because it is a growing problem and claims are being denied for lack of good medical support. If you have further questions about this, please feel free to send me an email.
