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how canada’s family doctor shortage impacts disability claims
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a family doctor who has treated a patient over time can provide valuable evidence because they may have a long understanding of the patient's symptoms, treatment history, limitations and prognosis.
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for canadians living with a serious illness or injury, access to a family doctor can be critical, not only for receiving medical treatment, but also for accessing disability benefits.
canada’s family doctor shortage is making that increasingly difficult.
an estimated 5.9 million adults do not have a family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team they see regularly, according to a
canadian medical association
survey done in 2025
.
income seems to be one key factor in access to care. canadians earning $200,000 or more annually, are more likely to have a regular clinician (84.9 per cent), than those earning less than $20,000 (69.6 per cent).
the cma survey showed people without a regular primary care clinician most commonly paid for an appointment or consultation, while those with a regular primary clinician most commonly reported paying for completing a form.
disability claims typically require medical evidence to show the nature and severity of a person’s condition and, importantly, how that condition affects their ability to work or perform everyday activities.
a family doctor who has treated a patient over time can provide valuable evidence because they may have a long understanding of the patient’s symptoms, treatment history, limitations and prognosis.
not having a family doctor can create a major hurdle when applying for disability benefits. while you can legally apply and qualify without one, the absence of a primary care physician significantly increases the risk of delays or denial.
if you’re filing a disability claim, your medical evidence would include a wide range of documentation, such as physician reports, diagnostic test results, treatment records and specialist evaluations. this comprehensive collection of information helps to paint a complete picture of your health status, offering a detailed account of your medical history and current condition. such evidence is critical in demonstrating the progression or stability of a disability over time.
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how can you provide vital medical proof for a claim if you don’t have a family doctor?
if you don’t have a regular doctor, physicians at walk-in clinics can legally fill out disability paperwork and in ontario, nurse practitioners (nps) have the authority to complete primary medical and disability determination forms.
in addition, if you see a medical specialist for your specific condition (e.g., a psychiatrist, neurologist or rheumatologist), they can provide supporting medical evidence or fill out functional limitation reports.
in order to establish consistency, if possible, try to return to the same walk-in clinic doctor or nurse practitioner for follow-ups, so they can build a timeline of your functional restrictions.
diagnostic test results are another critical and helpful form of medical evidence. these include x-rays, mris, blood tests and other laboratory results that can objectively verify the existence and severity of a medical condition.
treatment history, including records of hospitalizations, surgeries and ongoing therapies, is also vital. this evidence shows the extent of medical intervention required to manage your condition, supporting the claim of a serious and persistent disability.
if a claim is denied due to insufficient medical evidence, you will typically receive a letter explaining the reasons for the denial. this letter will outline the specific areas where your evidence was lacking, such as missing medical records, inadequate documentation of your condition’s severity, or insufficient proof of how your disability affects your ability to work.
to prevent a denial due to insufficient medical evidence, it’s advisable to work closely with your health-care providers from the beginning of your claim. ensure that they provide thorough documentation of your diagnosis, treatment plans, and the limitations imposed by your condition. detailed and consistent medical records are key to a successful disability claim.
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an experienced disability lawyer can help you identify what specific medical evidence is missing or deemed insufficient by the insurance company. they can work with you and your health-care providers to obtain detailed medical reports, test results, and expert opinions that clearly demonstrate the extent of your disability. this might involve obtaining second opinions from medical specialists or undergoing further diagnostic testing to provide comprehensive evidence of your condition.
most importantly, don’t assume that a lack of a family doctor means you cannot make a disability claim. it should not be used as an additional barrier for people who are genuinely unable to work because of a disability.
nainesh kotak is the founder of kotak personal injury law, a firm focusing on protecting their clients’ rights to justice and obtaining the compensation their clients deserve. he is a member of the ontario
justices of the peace appointments advisory committee of the central west region and
is a former chair of the long-term disability section of the ontario trial lawyers’ association.
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