attorney disability insurance - 3 August 2013 - insurance

disability insurance for doctor

Individual Disability Policy

Long Term Individual Disability Insurance Policy

There is no doubt among industry experts that if you are going to buy disability insurance, you are better off with an individual disability policy. Of course, there are many companies that sell individual policies and not every disability insurance company is going to pay your claim.

In the world of insurance and especially in  individual disability policies, the fine print is really the most important thing you need to read and understand before you make a purchase of a long term individual disability policy.

Are there different types of long term individual disability insurance policies?

Yes. The first type of insurance is referred to as an Own Occupation policy. This may be the policy that you have. It is supposed to insure you against becoming unable to perform the substantial and material duties of your occupation .  This type of coverage pays a monthly benefit if you can no longer perform the specific tasks of your work. Benefits for this type of coverage are paid whether or not you are able to perform other types of work. So for example if you are a trial lawyer and you are no longer able to prepare for trial, go to depositions, conduct a trial, etc but you can do paper work in the office, your policy would still have to pay you the benefit that you paid for.

A second type of policy is a Loss Of Income Policy. This coverage pays only for loss of income. In other words, if you switch occupations due to a disability, the policy will provide benefits based on a specific formula relating to losses that you suffered due to your injury. You will not be paid just because you can no longer perform your occupation. In order for you to get your benefits you will have to show the disability insurance company what you could have earned and what you do earn in a new occupation.

Both of these policies are very different in what they require in order for coverage to be provided. Also, you may have a policy with both protections. This is extra leverage when dealing with an insurance company.

What do disability policies mean by inability to perform the substantial and material duties of your occupation?

This means that you can no longer perform those tasks necessary to be able to do your work in the manner that you have been doing it.

Who decides if a policyholder has become disabled? Can the Insurance Company Reject My Treating Doctor?

The treating doctor is always the authority who will tell the insurance company if you are disabled or not.  If your condition is a very painful condition such as Fibromyalgia or Pudendal Neuropathy, it is wise for the claimant to get to a doctor who has dealt with that particular condition in the past. For example, do not go to a family doctor when your problem is a specific disease or condition that the family doctor never treated or heard of.  If the diagnostic testing is not in your favor, it is best to go to a physician who is a Board Certified pain management specialist.

If an insurance company wants to play hard ball with you, (and they usually do) they will ask you to see another doctor or they will have another doctor review your treating doctor’s notes and contradict the notes. This is a dirty trick played by many insurance companies and when this happens, it’s time to file a lawsuit.

Sometimes, an insurance company will ask you to do a functional capacity analysis.  This will usually not help your case since the people they want to send you to are paid by the insurance company and are highly motivated to bury your case.  It’s a dirty business.

Long Term Disability Insurance Attorney

I know what it’s like to deal with a disability insurance company that is trying to do everything in their power to avoid paying a claim. Call me on my personal cell phone number at 954.444.4032 to discuss your case. I can help you.

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Article Source: http://disabilityinsurancedenial.com/individual-disability-policy

disability insurance for doctor