Disability Insurance: Doctor Issues w/Forms

Posted by Kelly Thompson @webdx2, Jun 19 10:09am

Hi everyone. It has been a while since I last logged in here. I am curious if there are others out here that struggle with getting your primary doctor to fill out the necessary forms to support disability insurance? I was diagnosed by Mayo at the end of 2024 (fibromyalgia, central sensitization, chronic fatigue, etc.) and had also moved from SD to MO, so my current primary doctor is relatively new to me. I did not realize how much difference one doctor to the next there is around disability insurance paperwork. My previous primary did such an amazing job with it, so maybe I got spoiled, but with my current doctor, he wants to stay as far away from disability insurance paperwork as possible. I just don't understand it. It has greatly impacted my ability to get supporting disability insurance (MetLife and Lincoln Financial Group have never made it easy though). Who else has had issues like this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Fibromyalgia Support Group.

Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Jun 19 10:46am

Kelly Thompson @webdx2
How frustrating to be stuck in the middle of paperwork bureaucracy.
My understanding is that providers are not legally required to fill out forms, but are required to provide medical records when requested.

Did your provider give you a reason? Some will not do it because of the time it takes to fill out forms. Or do they think you do not qualify? Is there someone else on their team, like a PA, social worker, or assistant, who can fill out the forms? My sister's disability was delayed due to the provider not being responsive. She did eventually get.

You always have the option to contact an attorney who specializes in disability law for advice.

Are you talking about disability managed through the Social Security Administration (SSA) or an employer-sponsored / private disability insurance plan?

paulcard | @paulcard | Jun 22 6:42am

I have not made it here yet. I’m researching it. From what I have been told is that you have to ask if your doctor is willing to fill out the disability paperwork. Or if you need to assist with some of the paperwork for them to sign off on it. The best thing to do is to bring it up at the beginning of the appointment and not the very end of the appointment. My experience is not to wait until the last minute to bring up paperwork. Doctors are very busy and they would rather fill out paperwork during your appointment than extending your appointment to fill it out. They try and do as much as they can during your appointment as possible. They do work before and after too but they also have to prepare for the next patient too.

paulcard | @paulcard | Jun 22 6:45am

In reply to @paulcard "I have not made it here yet. I’m researching it. From what I have been told..." + (show)

For example the first time I brought paper work to my doctor disability related I was nervous and waited until the end to give it to him. It made him mad. He told me next time give him all paperwork at the beginning. So that’s what I did, he was much happier to help me, and reviewed it with me and signed off on everything.