As a doctor, you’re trained to treat patients. You know the symptoms. You know the meds. So when something small pops up—a little anxiety, trouble sleeping, or minor pain—it might feel easier to just write yourself a quick prescription.
It seems harmless. But when it comes to applying for disability insurance, self-prescribing can cause serious problems.
Here’s why.
Insurance Companies Run a Prescription Check
When you apply for disability insurance, the insurance company will do a full background review. That includes a prescription drug check. This report shows the medications you’ve filled over the last several years.
So even if you didn’t see a doctor, and even if it was “just once,” that script shows up.
The insurance company looks at that list and says:
“What was this for? Let’s look at the medical records.”
But here’s the catch
If You Are Self-Prescribing, There Are No Medical Records
If you wrote the prescription yourself, there’s no chart note. No diagnosis. No treatment plan. No follow-up.
That’s a big problem for the insurance company. Because without documentation, they can’t tell:
- What the medication was really for
- How serious the condition might be
- Whether it’s resolved or ongoing
From their point of view, they’re being asked to insure someone who took a drug for an unknown reason with no oversight or explanation.
And that makes them nervous.
What Happens Next?
Depending on the medication and what they think it was for, the insurance company may delay your application, add exclusions, increase your premium—or even decline coverage altogether.
We’ve seen doctors get declined for something they thought was no big deal—like a short course of an anti-anxiety med or sleep aid.
When we explain what happened, they’re usually shocked and frustrated. “It was just Ambien. I only took it once.” Or, “It was for mild anxiety during a tough month.” Or, “I didn’t want to bother going in for a visit.”
We get it. But unfortunately, the insurance company doesn’t.
Why Insurance Companies Take It Seriously
Disability insurance is a long-term promise. The company is betting that you won’t need to use the policy. To make that bet, they need to understand your health fully.
If there are missing records—or signs of health issues without context—it raises red flags.
Think of it this way: would you loan someone a large sum of money if they had mysterious bank activity and no explanation?
It’s the same for insurers. Without clear documentation, they see risk.
Our Advice: Never Self-Prescribe if You’re Planning to Apply
We strongly recommend that you avoid self-prescribing—especially if you’re planning to apply for disability insurance within the next 12–24 months.
Instead, go through the proper channels. See a provider. Let them document the concern. Even a single visit with basic notes can be enough to satisfy underwriting later.
It’s not just about the medication—it’s about the record that explains why you took it.
Final Thought
We know doctors are busy. We know it’s tempting to just take care of it yourself. But when it comes to getting the disability coverage you need to protect your income and your family, it’s not worth the risk.
At DoctorDisability, we’ve helped thousands of physicians avoid common mistakes like this. If you have questions about your application—or a medication you’ve taken—we’ll walk you through it and help you get the best chance at approval.
Let’s make sure nothing gets in the way of protecting your future.
Ready to protect your future?
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