While today there are many disability physicians who freely give their time to document disability, there are just as many physicians who are easily persuaded to throw their patients under the perverbial bus by unethical insurance physicians who leave their medical ethics at the door each morning.
To begin, the claim review process is set up to allow insurance physicians to contact insureds’ physicians to obtain information. And, to be clear, insurance companies are allowed to contact treating physicians. But, there is also “an agenda” to such contacts that some treating physicians fall prey to. Unfortunately, it’s the patient who become victims of the medical review system when they are unaware of what’s happening and what the rules are.
Insurance physicians either send a short written letter asking treating physicians to sign-off on work capacity, or they make phone calls, referred to as “doc to doc calls.” Either way, insurance docs attempt to intimidate treating physicians by insisting YOUR providers agree with their agenda to “return everyone to work.” Insurance companies actually believe their position is the only “right one” and they set out to convince your docs of the same.
Most treating physicians are well aware of how prejudicial the insurance process is. But, there are others who become more and more persuaded that patients are malingering and really ARE able to go back to their jobs. Unum, for example is a mastermind when it comes to intimidating treating physicians who may not be as credentialed as they are. In fact, Unum throws around their own credentials for just that effect even though most docs today are Board Certified after their residency.
And yes, physicians today are frightened of being brought in as witnesses to lawsuits run by the insurance industry. So, they cave. BUT, insureds have rights too!
When insureds as asked to sign the doctor”s practice Authorization, it is a good idea to write in that you DO NOT give permission for your doctor to speak with any outside third party on the phone about your medical condition. Add it to the bottom of the form. You can also add “I authorize my physician to provide patient note data, or completed forms to my insurers ONLY AFTER I’VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THEM.” As an insured, you do not have control over what any insurance company does, but you do have control over your medical information and who gets access to that data.
What I am finding today is that treating physicians are more restrictive, less cooperative, and less supportive about filling out paperwork certifying disability. And, the insurance docs are getting through to them, and are convincing physicians to change their positions about patient disability. More and more patients are thrown under the preverbal bus by their own doctors.
If your treating physician mentions he/she does not want to sign forms, or gives you a hard time, or anything like that, then that physician is not for you, and you need to seek out more supportive medical treatment providers. Let’s not count Unum and other companies short; they know exactly what they’re doing, and they do it well.
If you have any questions about this please feel free to contact me. It is far better to seek out physicians who can support you and your disability than to stay with those who will throw you under the bus. Be careful out there and consult only with physicians you can trust.
