Five Common Mistakes Doctors Make That Can Result In Denied Long-Term Disability Benefits In Florida
Doctors spend years training to assess complex medical situations. However, when it comes to their own long-term disability claims, that clinical confidence can become a liability. Physicians are among the most likely professionals to make preventable mistakes when filing for disability benefits, and those mistakes can cost them months or years of income replacement they legitimately earned.
If you are a Florida physician with a disabling condition, our experienced Jacksonville long-term disability lawyer explains five common mistakes that put your claim at risk and how to protect your rights to benefits.
Five Common Mistakes In Florida Physician Disability Claims
The National Institutes of Health warns that doctors have a high risk of long-term disabilities due to the demands of their profession. When accidental injuries, sudden illnesses, or chronic health conditions prevent physicians from working for a year or more, they may be eligible for long-term disability benefits under an employer-provided policy.
These benefits can reimburse up to two-thirds of your lost income. However, claims are frequently denied or disputed due to five common mistakes Florida physicians unknowingly make:
- Self-treating or getting informal opinions from colleagues.
- Allowing gaps in treatment or getting inconsistent follow-up care.
- Waiting too long to file, as insurers can use any modified or reduced hours to lower your benefits.
- Misreading the policy’s definition of disability and how the “any-occupation” standard applies.
- Waiting too long to get legal help.
Most employer-provided long-term disability plans are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which gives insurers broad authority to evaluate and deny claims. While you generally have up to 180 days to appeal their decision, take immediate action to protect your rights.
How Physicians Can Protect Their Rights to Florida Long-Term Disability Benefits
If you are a physician and filing a long-term disability claim in Florida, keep in mind that insurers look for reasons to deny benefits. Take these steps to protect your rights:
- Seek prompt medical care for any potentially disabling health conditions and attend all follow-up visits.
- Make sure your medical records include a firm diagnosis and specific limitations associated with your condition.
- Ask your treating physician to provide a detailed narrative statement that connects limitations to specific tasks on your job, rather than just completing the insurer’s preprinted forms.
- File a Florida long-term disability claim as soon as impairments begin affecting your practice, rather than after you have already restructured your duties or reduced your hours.
If you receive a denial or the insurer attempts to dispute your claim, request a copy of your file and have an experienced Florida long-term disability lawyer review it.
Schedule a Consultation With Our Experienced Florida Long-Term Disability Lawyer Today
Long-term disability claims involving physicians are often denied or disputed by insurers. Farrell Disability Law has extensive experience dealing with these companies and can take the steps needed to get you the benefits you deserve. To schedule a consultation at our Orlando or Jacksonville office, call or contact our Florida long-term disability lawyer online today.
Sources:
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6075891/
dol.gov/general/topic/retirement/erisa
