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I am coming up to the 2 year mark on LTD on Dec 2. That is when they no longer have to hold my specific job for me (Executive Assistant) and I can go back to anything I'm deemed qualified for. I am off on chronic fatigue anxiety/depression - it's unclear but from my perspective and from a functioning perspective it's chronic fatigue - sleeping all night plus 60-120 minutes after any exertion (i.e. medical appt, grocery shopping, laundry) Sunlife has a third party contacting me for a Transferable Skills Analysis and Assessment. I am happy to do this, and in fact would be happy to start returning to work EXCEPTING I just found out it might not be ATCO I go back to - they said if they find anything else that pays at least 2/3rds of what I was making and I can do it - it doesn't matter where it is. This is a surprise to me and I would quite vehemently prefer to return to ATCO. Secondly, as mentioned I would be happy to slowly transitioning back to work as I'm able. (i.e. If I'm able to start at half days and sleep the second half of the day but have the evening and energy to do chores, build up a social life again - great! But if I go back whether half to whole days and I have no energy after work and just sleep the rest of the day - that is not acceptable. I just don't understand enough, I want to be responsible and work as and if I'm able - absolutely. I just don't want to be forced down a road (i.e. into another job that has me back to only working and sleeping with no energy left for living. One other area where I'm at a loss and feel I don't have enough information to make sure I'm making the right decisions and advocating correctly is I have no idea what the most recent forms that went into Sunlife from my GP say. We went through the forms together at the end of Jan/24, I saw my GP again in March for our regular update and then in July/24 I saw a student doctor under my GP - without my GP in the room. I didn't see her at all that day. Sunlife requested updated forms that went in this month (Oct/24) and I have no idea what they say since I haven't seen my doctor since March, even though the paperwork says I saw her on in July so I have no idea what the update says or what they're going on since I haven't been in. My doctors office says they cannot provide me with the filled out forms since they are filled out from my doctor's notes and she owns her notes not me. It seems inappropriate to me that I can't request to see what's in my file. They say that since Sunlife paid for her to fill out the form it belongs to them and I can request it from Sunlife. Should I request them from Sunlife? Do they have to provide them? (I believe my doctor will let me know what's in the form verbally at my next appt on Nov 12th but I believe she's on medical leave herself now and so it won't be before then.) I am just anxious that I'm being herded down a path without enough information and it becomes irreversible after decisions or committments made. Thank you in advance for your assistance in pointing me in the right direction to make sure I can advocate for myself adequately.
I'm sorry to hear that you are finding yourself in this position.
It is unfortunately not uncommon, in our experience, for doctors offices to refuse to provide that information directly to you. You are certainly welcome to ask your insurer (do so in writing), for a copy of your file which will have all the information included.
We know this time can be very overwhelming, so do not hesitate to contact us again if you have any further questions or concerns. We are here to help.
You can also reach our disability specialist, Rebecca, at rebecca.stap@stlawyers.ca and she will be happy to speak with you at any time (and no charge).
It is unfortunately not uncommon, in our experience, for doctors offices to refuse to provide that information directly to you. You are certainly welcome to ask your insurer (do so in writing), for a copy of your file which will have all the information included.
We know this time can be very overwhelming, so do not hesitate to contact us again if you have any further questions or concerns. We are here to help.
You can also reach our disability specialist, Rebecca, at rebecca.stap@stlawyers.ca and she will be happy to speak with you at any time (and no charge).