How many physician statements?
I've been on LTD for 2 1/2 yrs since I had spinal surgery for a rare cancer. After treatment I developed/ was diagnosed with several other health conditions that may or may not be a direct result of my cancer treatments. I developed a rare spinal cord syrinx, CRPS, dysautonomia, SFN etc... along with unrelenting chronic spine pain which left me with difficult standing, sitting and progressive leg weakness with walking. After trying to find answers for the past 3 yrs I got a (controversial) diagnosis of occult tethered cord as possibly the cause of some of my symptoms and the syrinx.
I will have spinal cord surgery in 2 months in an attempt to stop any neurological progression pretty much because I have not much left to loose but likely any of the long term neurological damage may not be reversible.
Now my question is I got an email that I have yet another new LTD case manager. I think it's #7. They also sent a letter stating they need update record and physician statements (last done in Jan) and they expect them from Pallative care provider (who had been managing my LTD paperwork this whole time) as well as the new neurosurgeon (who I only had a consult with and they did not evaluate my functional status- they are also located in the North East and I live in the South.
Is there any requirement that they need to be provided multiple physician statements on my functional status? I can't see the justification for a LTD claim to need a functional statement from a provider with whom I am not actively under the care of yet and when I am it will be for a short term and not have anything to do with my cancer related pain and disabilities. I think they are fishing. Do I have options to say no to the surgeon filling out a form? Not sure if they would even be willing to complete it but they did not evaluate my physical limitations during the consult.