You didn't ask to be put in this position, but you now have a long-term disability and it's time to move forward with your life. A long-term disability claim may be able to help you. But a successful long-term disability claim must include a complete medical picture if you want to have any chance of success.
Most insurance providers or government entities who review disability cases put a large amount of emphasis on the medical details. A long-term disability claim without the full support of your doctors or hospital is destined to fail. Here's how and why you should get your medical team on board with you before you move forward with your claim.
You Need to Tell Your Doctor Before You File
Don't file for disability and then tell your doctor or doctors afterwards. Once the application is on its way, your doctor may not be able to add anything to it. But if you talk to your doctor in advance, you can get them to look at your medical documentation and fill in any holes that might cause a problem.
For example, if your medical documentation is not fully legible, the person reviewing your case might send it back or just deny you because the information is not clear. This will, at the very least, lead to a delay. Your doctor can make sure your current documentation is accurate and clear to anyone who reads it.
You Need to Ask for an Additional Letter
Once the medical documentation is in order, you might think you are ready to file your claim. But if your doctor is on board with you, you could bolster your case by asking him or her to write an additional letter of support.
Filing a successful long-term disability claim is all about creating a narrative in the mind of the case's reviewer. Your doctor can spell out in a new letter exactly what all of the previous medical documentation actually means. A letter of support will give an account of how you have suffered and how the disability affects your daily life.
You Need to Continue Consistent Treatment
Long-term disability cases can sometimes take weeks or months to review. When a reviewer finally gets to your case, they may reach out to your doctors or medical team for an update. This is why it is very important to continue with your recommended treatment even after you file the claim. You want to establish a record of ongoing medical care for your disability.
If the person who reviews your case finds out that you have stopped treatment, this might be a red flag to them. They will want to know if this means you are actually getting better or are not quite as disabled as your claim states.
Talk to your doctor about your plans going forward and what you can do to ensure ongoing treatment. Continue to add new medical documentation to a dedicated file even after you send in your claim, as you might need this new data at some point in the future.
Medical documentation can make or break your long-term disability claim. This is why you need to talk to your doctor or medical team before you file. If your medical professionals know you will be filing a claim, they may be more careful or include more details when documenting your condition. You may also be able to get an additional letter of support to bolster your narrative.
Scott Shaffman Attorney at Law has years of experience assisting people just like you with long-term disability claims. If you are in the process of filing or want to appeal a denial, contact us today for a free consultation that could improve your odds of success.