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Dentists are doctors of oral health practitioners who restore confidence in their patients. They often pay high insurance premiums to protect themselves and their businesses in the event they are unable to work due to a disability. So why do insurers make it so difficult for dentists to get their disability insurance claims approved?
In this article, we will discuss:
- Why insurers give high-income applicants the runaround;
- Tips to get a disability insurance claim approved;
- How policyholders can get a free insurance policy evaluation to better understand their rights; and
- How a disability attorney can help you get the benefits you deserve.
Why Is My Insurance Company Stonewalling Me?
The short answer is money. The amount of money the insurance company has to pay you over a lower paying job like a receptionist is significant. They are trying to save themselves as much money as possible.
To save money, they will make the claim process extremely difficult for you. The insurance investigators will try many tactics to trip you up. They hope that you will give up and drop your claim.
Fortunately, we have experience dealing with insurance companies and have put together some tips to help you get your claim approved or win your case in court. This article will also give you an understanding of how devious insurance investigators can be to protect their assets.
Tips for Getting Your Long-Term Disability Claim Approved
Tip #1 Support Your Claim with Strong Medical Evidence
Dentists are usually not experienced with the paperwork or evidence needed to support a long-term disability claim. Your doctor may need to complete an attending physician’s statement. You will also need to collect all the medical records from your treating physicians. Make sure they note your pain levels and functional limitations in your medical records. This may not be standard practice for your doctor, but this information is necessary to support your claim.
Tip #2 Try Not to Rush Back to Work
The second most important thing to remember is not to return to work too quickly. Dentists have often built up a substantial practice with patients, staff, and other dentists depending on them, and you may be worried about losing everything you have built. However, it is best to resist the urge to return to work too quickly. You do not want to find yourself in court because you performed a procedure for which you were not physically or mentally ready.
Tip #3 Anticipate Surveillance
Often the insurance company will put you under surveillance. With a large claim like that of a dentist’s, you can bet on it! And it is perfectly legal for an insurance company to hire a private investigator to stake out your home. They may even talk to your neighbors about your activities!
The insurer will then try to use this information to justify denying or terminating of your claim. It is important that your activities during the claim period must be consistent with the restrictions and limitations you reported when you filed your claim.
Tip #4 Don’t Forget About Social Media Surveillance
I have previously discussed the likelihood of social media accounts being used to deny LTD claims. You may be tempted to spend some of your downtime on social media, but we suggest you either make sure your accounts are private or stay off social media altogether. Posting a picture of you walking your dog can be used against you by the insurance company.
Tip #5 Stay Organized
Filing a long-term disability claim involves a significant amount of paperwork. Keeping a well-organized file of all your claim-related documents is crucial, especially if the claim is denied and you have to file a lawsuit. Use a binder or filing cabinet to keep track of the following items:
- Your LTD insurance policy;
- All correspondence between you and your insurance company;
- Medical statements explaining your inability to perform your job duties;
- A record of all health care providers involved in your treatment, supplemented by letters stating that your condition affects your ability to work; and
- Summaries of all discussions (by phone or in person) with insurance representatives, health care professionals, and your employer. To confirm receipt, send copies of these summaries to each party by certified mail.
Keep all your documents in chronological order for easy reference. This will ensure that you have a complete history of your claim.
An Experienced Long-Term Disability Attorney Can Help You Get the Benefits You Deserve
Many claimants find the LTD claims process to be quite daunting. Insurers often look for any reason to deny a claim. To avoid this, claimants must provide the insurer with compelling medical evidence and avoid common mistakes that can destroy a disability insurance claim.
Download Free Resources
- Nick Ortiz, owner and founder of the Ortiz Law Firm, wrote a book called The Top 10 Mistakes That Will Destroy a Long-Term Disability Claim to help claimants avoid making mistakes during the difficult claims process. Click here to download a copy of the free LTD book.
- He has also prepared a disability insurance claim guide and toolkit to help those who are applying for long-term disability insurance benefits. Click here to download a copy of the free LTD claim guide and toolkit.
- If your long-term disability claim has been denied, you may benefit from our long-term disability appeal guide. It includes appeal letter templates, medical record request forms, and more for those who prefer a DIY approach. Click here to download a copy of the free LTD appeal guide.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
Hiring a skilled disability attorney can further increase the likelihood that your appeal will be approved. Although based in Florida, the Ortiz Law Firm operates nationally and represents claimants throughout the United States. We offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation if your claim has been denied or terminated. Call us at (888) 321-8131 for help with your claim.
Have an Expert Review Your Policy
Many people who are unfamiliar with insurance policy language and can easily misinterpret or fail to understand their disability insurance policy. For those who are considering purchasing disability insurance or who have recently purchased a policy, we offer our expertise to help you understand your policy’s terms and identify any potential gaps in your coverage that could lead to a claim denial.
Areas of your policy that we will review include (but are not limited to):
Just fill out the form below to get started.
