Response

I ’d like to thank Dr Ferguson for taking the time to write about my article. It is true that our clients are sometimes phoning doctors and asking for completion of reports in a timely fashion. Their clients are looking for insurance coverage for assets that they have spent their lives acquiring and the coverage is important to them. Should they wish to manage that part of their financial health, it is their prerogative.

There are several different types of forms that insurance companies might request that apply to a number of different types of insurance requirements. My article dealt with our request for reports when clients apply for life insurance. In these situations, there have been very few cases where I have questioned the amount of the fee charged by a doctor, and the Ontario Medical Association has a process by which mediation is available should there be a disagreement. In my 15 years’ full-time experience, such problems have been rare. For other insurance company requests pertaining to other matters, there are times when the clients are responsible for payment as per the contracts they signed, and in such cases, the insurance company may well not pay the fee.

When there are concerns with any life insurance issues for Great-West Life, Canada Life, or London Life, I and the other 3 individuals in my area (2 physicians and 1 nurse) are available to deal with them, and we do so on a regular basis.

Thanks, Dr Ferguson, for your promptness!

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