Burnout Medical Leave: Seeing The Insurance’s Psychiatrist

After you have been on medical leave for several months, the insurance company may ask you to meet with a psychiatrist. The assessment is intended to determine whether your medical leave should continue.

Watch the 2-minute video below to find out more.

The Insurance Company May Require More Information

It is reasonable and typical for the insurance company to request more information from you after you have been on medical leave for some time. The number of months varies, but something like four to seven months is not unusual.

The insurance company wants to understand why you have not yet recovered and returned to work.

Why the Insurance Company May Ask You to See a Psychiatrist

The insurance company may ask you to meet with a psychiatrist whom it pays directly. The insurance company wants its own psychiatrist to assess whether your medical leave is legitimate.

The psychiatrist will consider whether you are malingering or faking your condition and whether you should remain on medical leave.

What to Expect During the Psychiatric Assessment

The psychiatrist will usually meet with you for approximately two hours. The interview will be quite exhaustive.

Many people find this process intimidating. They may feel frightened, worry about confidentiality, or feel uneasy because the experience is unfamiliar.

Be Forthcoming and Honest During the Assessment

Go into the assessment prepared to be forthcoming and honest. Be careful not to fake good.

If you had a good day yesterday, do not focus on it. Talk about how you have been struggling over the past several weeks and months.

The psychiatrist needs to understand how you have generally been functioning, rather than hearing only about one good day.

The Assessment Can Confirm That Your Medical Leave Is Legitimate

I am pleased when my clients are asked to see the insurance company’s psychiatrist because the psychiatrist can verify that you need to remain on medical leave and that the insurance company should continue to provide you with benefits.

A Positive Assessment Can Help You Relax and Let Go

Once the psychiatrist confirms that you need to remain on medical leave, the insurance company has the information it needs.

The insurance company may then treat you more favourably, allowing you to relax knowing that your benefits will continue.

Considering Next Steps

If you are feeling anxious about meeting with the insurance company’s psychiatrist or are unsure how to describe your experiences, consider working with a psychologist.

Related Articles

• This article explains how burnout develops, when medical leave may be necessary, and what recovery involves.
• This post examines why alcohol can become appealing during burnout and the problems it can create.