HolistiCare, LLC – Disability Evaluation & Documentation Policy

At HolistiCare, LLC, our primary mission is to provide high-quality psychiatric care focused on treatment, recovery, and functional improvement. The following policy outlines expectations for patients requesting disability evaluations, work-related documentation, or completion of forms.

1. Scope of Practice
HolistiCare is a clinical treatment practice. Our role is to diagnose, treat, and support recovery from psychiatric conditions. While we may complete disability-related forms as part of ongoing care, we do not function as an independent disability evaluation service.

2. Independent Disability Evaluations
Patients seeking disability evaluations solely for administrative, legal, or benefits purposes (e.g., Social Security Disability, legal cases, independent medical opinions) should seek an independent evaluator in the community.
HolistiCare does not provide one-time or “single visit” disability evaluations.

3. Requirement for Ongoing Treatment Relationship
Most disability determinations require longitudinal clinical knowledge, including response to treatment and functional status over time.
As such:

• Disability documentation is generally only completed for established patients engaged in ongoing care.
• A single visit is not sufficient to establish disability status in this practice.
• The duration and frequency of care required prior to completing forms will vary based on clinical complexity and judgment.

4. Form Completion Process

• Most disability, FMLA, or workplace accommodation forms require a dedicated appointment.
• Completion of forms is based on clinical documentation, observed functioning, and treatment history.
• Fees may apply for form completion and administrative services, depending on complexity and time required.
• Turnaround times will be communicated at the time of request.

5. Nature of Disability Determinations

• Our role is to provide objective clinical information, including diagnoses, symptoms, treatment history, and functional limitations.
• We do not determine eligibility for disability benefits. Final decisions are made by the requesting agency (e.g., employer, insurer, or government entity).
• Documentation will reflect clinical findings and may not align with a patient’s expectations or desired outcome.

6. Approach to Work Capacity and FMLA

• When patients are unable to work due to psychiatric symptoms, our goal is to support recovery and return to functional capacity.
• Short-term work restrictions or leave (including FMLA) may be supported when clinically appropriate.
• In general, support for work absence is time-limited and typically does not exceed 90 days, though duration may be shorter based on clinical factors.

7. Higher Level of Care Requirements
If a patient remains unable to work due to psychiatric symptoms beyond a short-term period:

• Continued certification of disability will generally require engagement in a higher level of care, such as:
  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), or
  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
• This ensures appropriate treatment intensity and supports functional recovery.

8. Focus on Functional Recovery
Our treatment approach emphasizes restoration of function and return to meaningful activities, including work when possible. Disability is assessed based on functional limitations, not diagnosis alone.

9. Patient Responsibilities
Patients requesting documentation are expected to:

• Engage consistently in recommended treatment
• Attend scheduled appointments
• Participate in treatment planning and higher levels of care when indicated
• Provide requested forms and relevant information in a timely manner

10. Right to Decline Documentation
HolistiCare reserves the right to decline completion of disability or administrative forms when:

• There is insufficient clinical information
• The patient is not engaged in ongoing care
• The request falls outside the scope of clinical practice
• The documentation requested is not clinically supported

11. Transparency and Communication
We aim to be clear and consistent in our documentation practices. Questions about this policy can be addressed during appointments.

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Patients seeking disability evaluations without the intention of engaging in ongoing psychiatric treatment are encouraged to locate independent medical evaluators in their community.