What do I do when my doctor starts complaining about filling out my disability forms?
More and more treating physicians are preferring to “sit on the fence” just short of certifying disability. Or, they just don’t want to bother with the paperwork anymore. It’s at this point that the insured/patient needs to speak up and say that they will need to transition to someone else, not because they want to, but because your disability insurer has certain restrictions that needs to be documented, and when they aren’t, you will lose benefits. Doctors aren’t mind readers, and you sometimes should explain exactly what you need. If your doctor is adamant about not documenting restrictions, ask for a referral to someone else and move on. You would be surprised how many people I come in contact with who remain with their current providers even though they know their doctors do a poor job. Lazy, or unwilling doctors will not help your disability claim at all, and may cause a denial in the end. It’s time to move on.
What do I do when I can’t get in touch with my claims handler or insurer?
Your first mistake is trying to reach someone on the phone. If you can’t reach anyone, or no one returns your calls, keep placing documentation in your claim file (Administrative Record) in writing documenting that the insurance company has been “non-responsive” to your needs. Worse come to worse, you can always write to your State Department of Insurance and file a complaint to let them know the company is non-responsive to you. Ask the DOI to help you get in touch with someone. But, always make sure you get the documentation into your file.
How can I convince my family that I really am in pain and that I’m disabled? They think I’m faking because you can’t “see” pain. They even joke about me. What can I do to convince them I really am in pain?
Actually, I don’t think that you should try to do anything. Let me explain. I once had a friend some time ago who was an insulin dependent diabetic. Although she had neuropathic pain in her feet, back and legs, most people didn’t really believe she was “all that bad off.” So, when she went to parties, or was with family, I began to notice that she made a big deal about taking her insulin in front of everyone. She’d pull out the bottle, hold it up high so everyone could see it, and winced when she stuck herself. Her friends and family began to regard her as the diabetic showman of a family gathering.
Clients over the years have shared with me that the more they try to convince family members (by talking) they are in pain, the more they are accused of faking. Therefore, I suggest that clients keep a journal of their daily pain levels, how long it lasted, what they did about it etc.Then, at an appropriate time, bring out the journal, particularly if the skeptic is a spouse, and say, “I thought my might be interested in how my day went today”, allow the person to read your journal. Only things that are relevant to your pain, or disability should be in the journal. Also, things like, “I had trouble getting to the bathroom today because of my back. I had to walk stooped over and hung on to the walls.” Short comments about your pain, and how you got through the day can describe what you go through. Don’t try to “talk” and convince anyone you’re disabled. Don’t write a book in your journal either! Someone with migraines might write, “My head hurt so bad I threw up twice today. God, I hate to throw up!
As for neighbors and friends you might say, “It’s hard for me to describe the pain I feel every day. I just don’t have the words to describe it.” You don’t really owe anyone an explanation so don’t try. Just saying, “I don’t think you would understand even if I could explain what I’m feeling”, and then don’t explain.
