Hello, I’m on LTD. My doctor sent a letter to them indicating it’s best for my health if they only contact my health providers for status updates and not me directly. I’m too ill to be handling stress.
Canada Life doesn’t seem to be willing to accommodate that. They did agree to do email only. Are they legally allowed to refuse this accommodation? Is there some way I can respond by email that would help make this possible?
Your doctor can say whatever they want but you are contractually obligated to provide updates to your insurer and what your doctor says doesn’t override your contractual obligations. However if the matter does become litigated then just be aware both parties are required to act in good faith. There are consequences otherwise but that’s only if the matter goes to trial.
I would consider myself lucky if they are willing to do email updates. If you refuse, they’ll most likely put your benefits on hold or threaten to cut you off. However, I read somewhere someone had a family member represent them. From what I’m seeing there is a variance in what they will allow or not depending on the caseworker.
At one point, I was so ill that I did what owl987 mentioned and I sent my insurer a quick email authorizing my family member to communicate with them on my behalf. When I obtained my complete claim file later, I noticed that my insurer had taken proper note of it.
Personally I like to review anything my doctor sends to my insurer before it’s sent to them. There are always minor changes that I request from my doctor before she faxes it back to my insurer. So I wouldn’t want them communicating directly with my doctor, without me knowing about it.