Physician disability insurance is often overlooked. There are times when doctors are unable to work due to accidents or illnesses, regardless of their commitment to addressing other people’s health concerns. According to the AMA , a professional has a greater statistical probability of suffering a severe disability that impedes their ability to work, rather than to die prematurely. If your ability to practice medicine has been adversely impacted by a health issue, it might be time to consider a long-term disability claim.
Long-term disability insurance could have dramatic impact on your ability to live comfortably. However, mistakes made in the claims process could put your recover at risk. Before you file a claim, here are some of the things a doctor should do first.
Review your Policy
Before you file a claim, it is important to read over the details of your policy. Not all physicians disability insurance policies are the same. These polices can vary dramatically in terms of coverage, exclusions, and definition. It is helpful to understand the coverage that you are entitled to before moving forward with your claim.
These policies can provide different types of coverage. Some policies might simply pay you a lump sum of money each month if you are permanently disabled. Other policies might fund a buyout, allowing your partner to purchase your share of the practice.
Terms and exclusions are also important. Policies can differ on how they define long-term disability. They can also exclude certain illnesses or injuries depending on the language of your policy.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
Receive a Diagnosis
It is not enough for you to claim that you are disabled—even if you are making a professional medical diagnosis of yourself. In order to qualify for long-term disability, you will need to receive a diagnosis for your condition. This should include documentation that supports the nature and severity of your condition.
Collect other Documentation
There are other forms of documentation that could be important to your long-term disability claim. For example, it may be necessary to establish that you are suffering from severe pain in order to qualify for benefits. These subjective claims can be difficult, as there are no objective tests for things like physical pain. Instead, you must establish the extent of your condition using other forms of evidence. This could be testimony from co-workers that you are no longer physically able to perform your work. A daily diary of your symptoms and treatment could also be useful.
Click to contact our disability lawyers today
Hire a Physician Disability Insurance Attorney
There are many ways to protect yourself and increase your chances of a successful long-term disability claim. Carefully reviewing your policies, securing a diagnosis, and collecting evidence are all important. However, no step is as crucial as speaking with an attorney.
The team at Marc Whitehead & Associates is here to help you pursue the benefits you deserve. Our team of doctor disability claim denial attorneys could help you address any issues that resulted in the initial denial of your claim. To learn more about your options, call today for a free consultation.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
