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An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is considered the most skilled position in the dental profession. Not only does an oral and maxillofacial surgeon have to be trained in dental surgery, but they also handle anesthesia, which means they are trained in that as well. According to CNBC, an oral surgeon is the third highest paying profession in America. Despite their highly specialized profession, many oral surgeons find it very difficult to get their long-term disability claim approved.
In this article, we will explore the following:
- Why an oral surgeon may have difficulty getting approved for long-term disability benefits;
- Tips for strengthening your claim; and
- How to get help understanding your policy and defending your claim.
Why It’s So Difficult to File for Disability as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have a highly specialized skill set that requires peak performance to avoid making a potentially life-threatening mistake. So when an oral surgeon is disabled, why does the insurance carrier make it so difficult to get a claim approved?
One simple reason – money. Your insurer is not concerned with your health and well-being. They are worried about how much it will cost to pay your claim for the duration of your illness. In addition to your regular salary, you may have a rider that helps you recover from other losses. If you own your oral surgery practice, this rider will help you recover the loss of patients you had before you were injured.
For example, let’s say you were involved in a car accident and spent two years recovering from your injuries, your patients had to find a new provider. When you return to work, your income is likely to be much lower than it was before your accident. A recovery rider will help you get by while you rebuild your practice.
Four Tips to Help You Build a Strong Claim
Tip #1 Gather Strong Medical Evidence
Do not rely on your insurance company to gather medical evidence to support your claim. Gather medical evidence from all of your treating providers and submit it to the insurance company. Make sure the doctors note your limitations in your medical records. If you are seeking treatment for any mental health issues, be sure to include those medical records as well.
Tip #2 Anticipate Surveillance
It is completely legal for your insurance company to conduct surveillance, and you can be sure that a high-dollar claim for a surgeon will be under surveillance. Your insurer will hire an investigator to stake out your home and follow you to your appointments. Insurers usually schedule surveillance when they know you will have to leave your home for medical treatment. This way, there is a good chance that the investigator will be able to record your activities outside the home.
Tip #3 Stay Off Social Media
There is a high probability that all social media accounts will be monitored. As an oral surgeon, your work schedule probably does not allow for social media. However, when you are at home with nothing to do but rest, you may be tempted to create an account. We recommend that you stay off social media completely during the claim period. The insurance investigator will try to use social media accounts to deny your claim.
Tip #4 Don’t Try to Return to Work Too Quickly
When an oral surgeon rushes back to work before they are ready, they risk making a mistake that could cause further injury to themselves or land them in court if they injure a patient. Even if your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. If you need help, you can hire an attorney who specializes in long-term disability insurance claims.
Get Help with Your Long-Term Disability Claim
Oral surgeons will find it difficult to get a long-term disability claim approved. Because of the cost of the payout, the insurance company will actively look for reasons to deny the claim. Follow the tips above to improve your chances of getting your claim approved.
Free Policy Evaluation
If you are considering purchasing a disability insurance policy or have recently purchased a policy, we can help you understand what you are entitled to and whether there are deficiencies in your coverage that could lead to a denied claim. It is easy for individual policyholders who are not trained to read insurance policies to misread or misunderstand the disability policy. As part of our evaluation, we will explain what everything means for you in your situation.
Free Case Evaluation
If you have already filed a claim and your insurer has denied your claim, we encourage you to speak with an attorney. The Ortiz Law Firm is based in Florida, but we represent claimants across the country. You can schedule a free, no obligation case evaluation by calling (888) 321-8131. We can help you evaluate your claim to determine how to proceed with the appeal or litigation process.
