That doesn’t sound legal.
I know… She has a specific way of spelling her name. Lynda. Not a
common spelling. Right. I googled her name and last name shows this
individual, my so called Functional rehabilitation specialist. Same
spelling of first and last name. Was suspended from the college of massage
therapists in 2005.
Hmmm. How can I use this?
I would contact Resolute for a free consult:
Don’t ask for a massage!!! What was she suspended for?
Non payment of membership fees
Tough times 
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LOL That’s funny DerekW - my first name is spelled “Lynda” - ha ha ha ha - I thought it was just as common as “Linda” - perhaps not.
Being suspended from the College of Massage Therapists for failing to pay her membership fees only means she decided not to stay in that field and has moved onto another type of employment. However, personally I would request she show her credentials and who she works for - exactly what does she mean by “education is her qualification”. That does not sound like a qualified Rehab Specialist and could be used against them in Court. Look her up on “LinkedIn” - see who recommends her qualifications.
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I feel very sad that the above postings have impacted you in such a negative way. These are postings from anonymous people on the internet. You don’t know who they are or what their illnesses might have been or whether they even had illnesses! They could even been people from insurance companies trying to scare people off from rehabilitation (which is mandatory - look at your LTD booklet). If your insurance company determines that rehab is appropriate, and your doctor can’t make a case that rehab will hurt you, your LTD benefits WILL be cut off even if you have a legitimate LTD claim.
I doubt that posters disparaging rehabilitation INTEND to hurt you, but you are the first person to post to say that you are scared off rehabilitation and might retire instead of facing the horror described by the above postings and likely others elsewhere. You have posted a comment, hence I’m responding to you, but many others probably feel the same way as you do.
You have been very sick with a verifiable illness - breast cancer. You’ve recently had major surgery. You are vulnerable both physically and mentally. Your case does not fall into the “difficult to prove” category!
It is true that “rehabilitation consultant” is a title that can be used by almost anyone, but many rehabilitation consultants are highly qualified medical professionals (for example, occupational therapists), so let’s not slag the job title. Most rehabilitation consultants, regardless of credentials, are honorable and hard working people just like the rest of us.
The “rehabilitation consultant” appointed by the insurance company will develop a rehab plan with/for you and will give both you and your treating physician a copy of it. Your physician can disagree with it. Your current employer will be involved in your return to work plan (probably graduated). The rehabilitation plan will be fully customized to your situation (health and type of work). The insurance company will hire and pay for fully qualified, medical professionals to help you return to work (your current job or a modified one). They will hire psychologists, occupational therapists, kinesiologists, physical therapists, etc., as appropriate and as per your plan, to help you over a period of weeks/months to help build your stamina and readiness to return to work. These treatments cost thousands of dollars. The people they hire are medical professionals and, believe it or not, most OT’s, psychologists, doctors, kinesiologists, etc., etc., across Canada get some of their income from insurance companies. They are NOT hired batterers, “hired guns”, bad people, folks with hidden agendas, “people out to get you”, etc., etc. These treatment providers are there with the same agenda as YOU, and the insurance company and your employer… to help you get better.
It is NOT to say that you don’t need to be professional and careful and please don’t be naiive. I also say don’t be naiive to believe that what anonomous posters say on the internet extends to all situations.
I don’t work for an LTD insurer and I’m not a medical professional. I just don’t like to see postings that hurt disabled people to such an extent that they are afraid to seek the rehabilitation they deserve to help them regain their life.
Thanks for listening.
- Insurers spend money to make/save money
- Rehabilitation providers get their referrals from Insurers and Insurers do track the “success” rate of these providers
- The rehabilitation consultant is likely an occupational therapist or nurse–but hold themselves out to the insured as a “rehabilitation consultant” rather than their professional title.
- The 1000’s of dollars spent on your treatments-about 35% of that money is spent on them providing reports.
- If you are selected for rehab and have a more subjective illness you should be concerned.
Please, please ask for any and all intake forms before going to the appointments with their chosen health professionals. Do not sign any waivers. If the forms seem odd seek a lawyers opinion.
Be truthful, be polite, be humble…hope for the best…good faith not blind faith. Protect your interests.
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I was recently contacted by my insurance provider. It took them a few weeks to respond to an email I sent them in which I had indicated I was also feeling suicidal. This should have been a red flag right away but I guess they were so busy…so thank God I went to my doctor as she probably save my life!
Basically, they told me that they were offering me a Disability intervention service now as I am at the 1yr mark.
I really like the post from Allyoops and will try and follow that advice!! What if I don’t agree to the waiver???
I have no return to work date as of yet as my doctor recently referred me to the local mental health hospital (during the 3 weeks I was waiting for a response from the ins. company).
I told the insurance company my doctor had done so and I want to follow the program that the local mental health will recommend to which they said to let them know once I know the details from the mental health group therapy program. SO do I have to still go into their rehab consultant program asap?
Do I have to let them know also that I intend filing a Human rights complaint against my employer for discrimination due to mental health and or am seeking advice from a lawyer as I am not a 100% sure I want to return back to my current employer as I have suffered mental trauma due to bullying and harassment which has affected me over the last several years.
Most recently my employer has been trying to constructively dismiss me in the hopes that I resign. I have been a loyal employee but now don’t feel that I want to protect them anymore!
Will the insurer now try and push my claim via the rehab consultant to workers compensation??
Thank you for your help…and input in advance. This has affected me mentally and emotionally and physically and my family too… sometimes I don’t feel like living this way anymore but have to be strong!
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Is that the “Disability intervention service”.
I would ask the insurance company.
My policy says I need to make a claim through workers comp if appropriate.
I have no idea if the human rights lawsuit will prompt a workers comp claim.
The insurance company will probably try to make you make a workers comp claim if they can.
They are still responsible to pay you even if get denied.
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Hi Jammer
I am not in Ontario and yes sorry it is the Disability intervention service. I am going to run it by my doctor - personally I would like to do what my doctor recommend first i.e. the local mental health group therapy program…
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You will want to cooperate with whatever they propose, but that doesn’t have to affect your ongoing treatment you are receiving from your own providers. You do not have to tell the insurance company about any legal issues or plans you may have. However, at a certain point if they are trying to get you to do a return to work with your own employer, you may have to tell them at that point. This is a complicated situation, so you are right to seek legal advice. Constructive dismissal is a tricky area so you want to be certain you can meet the legal requirements for that if you intend to claim it.
David Brannen
Disability Lawyer with Resolute Legal
The response posted above is based on the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with a lawyer, fully explain your situation, and allow the lawyer enough time to research the applicable law and facts required to give an adequate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service only, a full one-on-one discussion with a lawyer should be done before taking any any action. The information posted on this forum is available to the viewing public and is not intended to create a lawyer client relationship with any person. If you want one-on-one advice, please click here to request a free consultation or call toll free 1-877-282-5188 to speak with a member with our disability claim support team.
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