Question

Can Met Life legally require notes from therapy sessions?

Asked on October 14th 2019 by Mike
My daughter is on short term disability for stress and anxiety as a result of a sexual assault. She is being treated by her primary care physician medically (off work, medication and follow up treatment); and is also in therapy through an advocacy group. Met Life was paying out her claim until recently, stating they needed the therapy notes from the sessions, which we feel is a violation of her medical privacy to require specific details of her personal trauma. In addition, the Therapy Group does not provide the requested information; only basic information, patient, treated for, treated from this day to present, etc. The Primary Care Physician has submitted the information requested by Met Life and as the Primary Doctor, we feel we have met the required burden of proof (which in itself is ridiculous). Met Life was paying out her claim (without the new requirement) until now. Met life has not formally denied her claim, but has her in limbo; we believe in an effort to have her get frustrated and give up. Can Met Life legally make this a condition of receiving benefits, given the Therapist is not the Primary Care Phyisian? Is this something you would be able to help with?

Answer

Answered on October 14th 2019 by Attorney Rachel Alters

Mike, I would be happy to speak with you about your daughter’s Met Life claim. Please email me at rachel@diattorney.com or call me at 888-729-3355