Appeal process for Insurers often is used as a way for them to try and prove they acted fairly in denying the claim. It is often a way to pad the claim file in the Insurers favour.
How you can help as a psychologist is by providing objective proof of her condition ie: Beck depression Inventory and other quick assessments.
In your letter give professional opinion on why going back to employment at this time is ill advised. Does the insured have suicidal thoughts?
Include journal or other peer reviewed articles outlining the insureds condition. Give examples of the insureds job duties and why in your opinion that he or she is unable to do at this time.
You can not give legal advice but you could provide this site as a resource for your client to see what options are available or to ask questions.
If you, the psychiatrist and the family doctor advise against travelling for an IME that would be helpful.
Anytime an Insurer can exploit the stigmatized diagnosis of mental health, chronic pain and such -they will often do so.
The IME realistically is being set up for the Insurer to continue padding the file against the Insured. ie: To support a denial and to try to reduce a bad faith claim later. Insurers only spend money to save money**
Make sure any letter of support does not read as advocacy but is based on objective data and professional opinion.
Please send them to this site.