If you've ever fought an insurance company and had your benefits cut off because they think you're faking your sick leave, the Quebec College of Physicians is on your side.
The doctors' group says it believes some companies engage in "harassment" and "abusive and intrusive" measures.
Dr. Charles Bernard, head of the Quebec College of Physicians refers to the UQAM professor who was on a mental health sick leave and whose benefits were cut off because he was seen jogging and doing other social activities on his Facebook page.
Bernard said it's normal in many cases for patients to exercise and get some fresh air, adding that some insurance companies go overboard asking for excessive documentation and complete medical histories unrelated to the actual illness, making for a stressful situation.
"The thing those people (don't need) is to have more stress," said Bernard.
"You have to check but not in an excessive way."
Bernard said some insurance companies also don't know how to deal with mental health claims.
"They have more new treatments, they have new approaches and I think this condition is well-known now, it was less known (in the past)," said Bernard.
Bernard said insurance companies often rely on expertise by their own expert doctors who sometimes have not been practicing for a long time. Bernard said they'll be publishing guidelines to make sure their qualifications are up to date.
"It's difficult for a patient and a doctor to do a fraud because the doctors are very controlled," said Bernard.
"I think they have to trust the treating doctor."