Failure to follow a doctor’s orders or prescribed mode of treatment is an easy way for your claim to be denied. When you fail to follow the treatment plan recommended by an attending physician, then you are considered to be a “non-compliant” patient. Your non-compliance will be noted in the medical records.
Examples of Failing to Follow Orders Are as Follows:
- Continuing to smoke while claiming disability for a heart condition or breathing problem, such as COPD;
- Missing multiple appointments with the doctor;
- Failing to follow prescribed medical treatment;
- Failing to attend physical therapy when recommended;
- Failing to take medications as prescribed to you by the doctor;
- Failing to go through additional counseling sessions when recommended by a psychiatrist or psychologist;
- Failing to change your diet or lose weight when a doctor recommends such to control diabetes; and
- Failing to cease taking illegal drugs or alcohol when recommended by the doctor.
These are just some examples of treatment that may be recommended by a doctor that gets ignored.
Your best way of maximizing your chance of winning your long term disability claim is to be in a position to testify that you still continue to suffer from a severe impairment despite doing everything your doctor has asked of you.