Basics for Physicians/Practitioners

Claim Certification

Physicians/Practitioners that can certify claims for Disability Insurance (DI) or Paid Family Leave (PFL):

• Licensed medical or osteopathic doctors
• Authorized medical officer of a U.S. Government facility
• Chiropractor
• Podiatrist
• Optometrist
• Dentist
• Psychologist
• Nurse Practitioner after examination and collaboration with physician and/or surgeon

• Licensed midwife, nurse-midwife, or nurse-practitioner for normal pregnancy or childbirth
• Accredited religious practitioner

Claim Processing

We review claims to ensure that all eligibility requirements are met; this includes verification of your physician’s/practitioner’s license. Your license must be active and in good standing. Both you and the patient must certify that the information provided is complete and accurate.

Properly completed claims are generally processed within two weeks of our receipt.

State Disability Insurance (SDI) Online

The Employment Development Department (EDD) automated some key SDI services to better serve our customers. SDI Online provides customers with electronic and automated options that are simple to use and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SDI Online is convenient and secure. The new system reduces claim processing time, provides immediate electronic confirmation of forms submitted, decreases costs in paper and postage, and includes security safeguards to detect and manage fraud and abuse.

Physicians/Practitioners can view patient’s initial claim for benefits, submit DI and PFL claim certifications, and view claim certification history.

To begin using SDI Online, a one-time registration, visit:

SDI Online Registration
SDI Online Registration en Español

If you have previously registered with SDI Online and want to log in to your account, visit:

SDI Online Login
SDI Online Login en Español

Causes of Delays

If any of the following is/are missing, processing will be delayed:

• Physician’s/Practitioner’s original signature
• Physician’s/Practitioner’s license number
• Estimated date the patient will be able to return to his/her regular or customary work
• Diagnosis and ICD9 code. If a diagnosis has not been established, a detailed statement of disabling symptoms must be provided.
• Patient’s signature
• Patient’s name and address
• Patient’s employment information