The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that physicians and surgeons earned a median pay rate of $239,200 per year or greater in 2024. Medical professionals tend to earn a high salary because they do work that requires advanced training and specialized skills.
Unfortunately, working in the medical profession can require both strong physical and mental abilities — so if you are a physician and you get sick or hurt, you may be unable to continue working in your field.
If that’s the case, and you have individual long-term disability insurance or long-term disability coverage provided by your employer, you should be entitled to receive benefits.
Unfortunately, many doctors’ long-term disability claims are denied. If that happens to you, you and your loved ones could face financial devastation as you’re unable to collect the income you need to fulfill your financial obligations. You need a dedicated advocate on your side to fight the denial and protect your financial stability — and Julie A. Rice Law is here to help.
Our firm has a long history of successfully representing doctors, and we can bring our legal knowledge to work to help with your initial application or with navigating the appeals process. Give us a call today to learn more.
Why are doctors’ long-term disability claims often denied?
Insurance companies often deny long-term disability claims made by doctors because these claims are expensive.
Insurance companies want to protect their bottom line, and paying out a large claim to a high-earning professional can be a big financial burden they don’t want to take on — even though you’ve paid premiums to be entitled to those benefits.
Your claim may also be denied if you have an any occupation versus own occupation policy.
If your condition prevents you from being able to do specialized work in your field, but you could potentially work in other less demanding jobs, your insurer will not pay benefits if you have an any occupation policy.
You will have a far greater chance of getting covered if you have own-occupation coverage that says you are entitled to benefits if you can’t work in your specific field.
Other healthcare workers also face challenges
Doctors are not the only professionals in the healthcare industry who could face challenges in getting long-term disability benefits paid. Other workers who may have a hard time making a claim include:
- Nurses and nurse practitioners
- Dentists
- Orthodontists
- Surgeons
- Veterinarians
- Chiropractors
If you work in a high-paying field within the healthcare industry, added challenges with your long-term disability claim may be inevitable.
A Georgia doctor’s long-term disability claim denial lawyer can help
At Julie A. Rice Law, our legal team has represented many medical professionals whose claims were denied when they became too disabled to work.
We have an in-depth understanding of the challenges involved in making a disability claim when you are in a specialized profession such as the medical field, and we have successfully represented many doctors in and around the Atlanta area who are facing challenges getting their disability claims approved.
Our legal team will:
- Help you review your policy and understand the terms of your coverage
- Assist you in preparing your application and providing the necessary proof that you are entitled to benefits
- Help you respond promptly to a denial and follow the appeals process
- Assist you in understanding your rights under ERISA
- Fight for you in court if necessary, if the internal appeals process is not a success
Julie A. Rice Law has the experience needed to help you with your high-stakes claim when you work in the medical profession and need disability benefits. Call us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how an Atlanta doctor’s long-term disability denial lawyer can help you.