The simple answer is “yes.” If you see multiple doctors for your disability, they can and should each provide a statement. In fact, it is a “best practice” to have at least two doctors provide you with a statement to support your claim for submission to the insurance company.
For example, if you are being treated for a heart condition by your primary care physician and a cardiologist, you should ask both of them to provide letters. And if you also see another specialist – such as a hematologist, or blood doctor – you should also ask for a letter from that doctor.
Which Doctors Should I Ask to Support My Claim?
When requesting doctors’ letters to support your claim, it is best to request them from doctors who have a relationship with you. A doctor’s letter from someone you only saw once may not carry as much weight. For example, if you only saw a heart surgeon once for surgery and the surgeon was not involved in your ongoing care, then that doctor’s opinion may not add much value to your disability claim.
It is not appropriate to ask doctors who treated you in the past, long before you became disabled, to provide a statement. Similarly, your doctors’ statements should only relate to your current disability, and you should consider whether the doctor mentions medical conditions that may either (a) have a limited time period for payment of benefits, or (b) disqualify you from coverage because it is a “pre-existing condition”.
For example, let’s say your policy limits benefits for mental health conditions to 24 months. If you ask your primary care doctor (who has been your doctor for the past 12 years) to write a statement, you may not want the doctor to mention mental health problems like depression if your physical problems are disabling in and of themselves, separate and apart from the depression.
Also, if your claim has a “pre-existing condition” clause that may apply to your case, you may not want your doctor to include in a letter comments about a prior injury that may prevent you from qualifying for benefits. This could to be used against you by the insurance company to claim that you had a pre-existing condition that contributed to your disability.
Make sure that your doctors write the right kind of statement, called an evidence statement or attending physician statement. A good quality doctor’s statement will help your case when you apply for long-term disability. Your medical source statement should include:
- Physical and mental limitations caused by your disability;
- Cite objective medical evidence to support the limitations;
- An explanation of how the evidence supports the conclusions;
- The treatment plan for your disability; and
- Examples of supporting evidence, such as lab results, x-rays, MRI and CT scan results.
There is also a form that can help answer many of the same questions, and it’s usually required by the insurance company, called a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form. This report is not intended to replace your doctor’s letters, but to provide additional evidence to support your doctor’s statements.
The form will answer questions about your residual functional capacity, such as:
- How much can you lift? How often can you lift it?
- How much can you carry? How often can you carry it?
- How far can you walk without stopping?
- How long can you stand or sit at a time?
- Can you bend, stoop, kneel, or reach overhead?
You can provide as many letters from your doctors as you think are necessary to prove your case. Get good quality statements from your treating physicians and ask them to explain your limitations, provide medical evidence, and outline your treatment plan.
Most long-term disability claims are denied for lack of medical evidence. Work with your doctor’s office to make sure you have everything you need to get your claim approved.
Sending more than one doctor’s letter is perfectly acceptable and encouraged if you are being treated by multiple doctors for your disability. By following the guidelines we provided above, you can help build a strong claim and get approved much faster.
Get Help with Your Long-Term Disability Claim
The experienced disability attorneys at the Ortiz Law Firm can help you through the long-term disability denial and appeals process. If you need help, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation call.
During the call, we will answer all of your questions. We only get paid if you win, so you can seek help without worrying about upfront costs or unexpected bills. Our legal experts will focus on your case so you can focus on your illness.
The Ortiz Law Firm has successfully represented people in disability cases throughout the United States. To learn how we can help you win your long-term disability case, call (888) 321-8131.