Best Doctor Type for Long-Term Disability Claims

Author: Disability Attorneys Dell & Schaefer
Published: 2010/09/20 - Updated: 2026/01/11
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Claims - Related Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This information comes from disability attorneys specializing in long-term disability benefits claims and provides practical guidance for individuals navigating the claims process. The piece explains that while general practitioners or internal medicine doctors are acceptable for disability documentation, working with a medical specialist who treats your specific condition - such as an orthopedist for spinal issues or a cardiologist for heart conditions - significantly strengthens your claim and increases approval likelihood. This advice proves particularly valuable for people with disabilities seeking benefits, as it addresses a common question about proper medical documentation and offers strategic insight into building a stronger case with insurance carriers - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

What Type of Doctor Should I be Treating With in Order to Claim Long Term Disability Benefits?

Disability claimants often call us and ask what type of doctor they should be treating with in order to seek long-term disability benefits.

The answer to this question is really that you can treat with just about any type of medical doctor for your claim for long-term disability benefits; however, you really should have your main attending physician be a specialist in the field for which you have a disability.

Main Content

As an example, let's assume that you have a neck disorder or a back disorder; you should really be treating with an orthopedic doctor who specializes in conditions of the spine.

Another example, if you have a heart condition, you should have a cardiologist as at least one of your doctors to complete your attending physician's statement, which has to be sent to the long-term disability carrier in order to meet your burden of proving disability.

The answer is yes, an internal medicine doctor or general practitioner doctor would be acceptable.

However, if you're claiming some type of orthopedic, cardiac, or some other part of the body for which there are doctors that specialize, you should see a specialist as that would give you a lot better chance of getting your long-term disability benefits approved and continuing to be paid.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The strategic choice of physician can make the difference between approval and denial when filing for long-term disability benefits. While the law doesn't mandate seeing a specialist, insurance carriers give considerably more weight to assessments from doctors who focus specifically on your disabling condition. A cardiologist's evaluation of heart disease or an orthopedic surgeon's documentation of spinal damage carries inherent credibility that strengthens your medical record. This matters because disability claims often hinge on the quality and specificity of medical evidence rather than the severity of symptoms alone. Anyone preparing to file should consider establishing care with an appropriate specialist early in the process, ideally before filing, to create the strongest possible foundation for their claim - Disabled World (DW).