What type of doctor should I be treating with in order to claim long-term disability benefits?
Disability attorney Gregory Dell discusses what type of doctor a claimant should be treating with in order to claim long term disability benefits.
Disability claimants often call us and ask what type of doctor they should be treating with in order to seek long-term disability benefits. The answer to this question is really that you can treat with just about any type of medical doctor for your claim for long-term disability benefits; however, you really should have your main attending physician be a specialist in the field for which you have a disability. For example, let’s assume that you have a neck disorder or a back disorder; you should really be treating with an orthopedic doctor who specializes in conditions of the spine.
Another example, if you have a heart condition, you should have a cardiologist as at least one of your doctors to complete your attending physician’s statement, which has to be sent to the long-term disability carrier in order to meet your burden of proving disability. So the answer is yes, an internal medicine doctor or general practitioner doctor would be acceptable. However, if you’re claiming some type of orthopedic, cardiac, or some type of other part of the body for which there are doctors that specialize, you should see a specialist as that would give you a lot better chance of getting your long-term disability benefits approved and continued to be paid.
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Mutual of Omaha
90 days and still waiting
I filed for benefits in July, 2024 with an effective date of 7/30 (after the 14 day wait) and today is October 18th and my claim is still pending. They either don't want t... read more >
New York Life
NY Life Short Term Disability Team is Terrible
I am a physician and was in a high velocity rear impact car accident. The person slammed into my stopped car going almost 50mph. Was not physically or cognitively able to ... read more >
Sedgwick
Sedgwick will use the false need for discovery to deny your claim
Sedgwick will use the false need for discovery to deny your claim for as long as possible to wear you down because you are out of work and need the money.Lie, cheat and ... read more >
Unum
Unum does not act as a fiduciary
I received paycheck from 2 sources at work. I was approved for LTD by Metlife within 40 days, no questions asked. I was approved by NWM which was my private own occupation... read more >
Unum
UNUM denied my LTD claim after 6 months although my health continues to decline
An attorney is needed to monitor an open, ongoing claim. I naively thought payments would continue. Review of medical records by a disability attorney before submission to... read more >
MetLife
Horrible STD Service. Run !!!!
For the first time since I can remember my employer did not offer STD as one of my paid benefits so I’m paying for this policy. Had to file a claim on 6-14-25. Went thro... read more >
Reliance Standard
Reliance Standard cut off LTD suddenly claiming I could do sedentary work after 10 plus years… no paperwork sent to appeal
I’ve been on STD then LTD with Reliance since 1/2015. They sent a medical review in December 2024 to my old address which of course I never got the paperwork for. I emai... read more >
Sedgwick
Denial for benefits, Sedgwick is the worst
I was not paid for 7 months on STD. My appeal was finally approved, but in the meantime I lost company match on my 401k, and then they canceled my company insurance. Out o... read more >
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