Tips For What an Anesthesiologist Should Expect in a Disability Insurance Claim

Disability Companies Often Misconstrue the Duties of an Anesthesiologist

Disability insurance companies are notorious for challenging disability claims filed by anesthesiologist. We have represented numerous anesthesiologist and the disability companies always minimize the duties that are required to perform the job. The field of anesthesiology is broad as there is operating room anesthesiology and pain management. Further, the field of anesthesiology has changed a lot by allowing nurse anesthetist to work in the operating room. There are many anesthesiologists that don’t work with any assistants in the operating room or in any other capacity.

Most disability insurance companies do not understand the complexities involved in proper airway management and intubation techniques. Further, they do not understand the fact that every second a patient is under anesthesia is critical and failure for an anesthesiologist to be able to react instantly can result in catastrophic injury or death.

Why is the definition of disability critical for an anesthesiologist? 

The definition of disability in the policy is critical in determining if an anesthesiologist will qualify for disability insurance benefits. A true own occupation definition of disability is the best definition and that means that if you cannot perform the duties of your occupation then you are disabled. Unfortunately, many anesthesiologists have employer provided disability policies and the definition of disability says unable to perform the duties of how your occupation is performed in the national economy and not for your employer.

This “national economy” definition of disability can be dangerous as the carrier can attempt to argue that the job can be performed by supervising a nurse anesthetist. To fully understand your occupational duties, the disability company will request your monthly and annual Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) production code reports. In the video above attorneys Gregory Dell and Cesar Gavidia discuss how the disability carrier will interpret different definitions of disability and provide tips for anesthesiologists to obtain disability claim approval. 

Appropriate Medical Support Is Essential For Claim Approval

The most important evidence in any claim for disability benefits is appropriate medical support from your treating doctors. The disability company will closely scrutinize your medical records and require that you are treating with the doctors that are appropriate to your diagnosis(s). The medical records must be detailed, which means your complaints must be detailed and any objective finding must be documented. It is important that you undergo any testing and follow-up with any recommended treatments, medications, and doctor consult referrals. When helping an anesthesiologist to obtain disability benefits, our disability lawyers work very closely with you and your treating doctors. If we do not think you have enough medical support, then we will recommend additional medical treatment that will help to support your claim.

Total v. Residual Disability Claims for an Anesthesiologist 

We often represent anesthesiologists that are unbale to perform anesthesiology but can retain and perform another field of medicine or a non-medical job. In a true own occupation definition of disability, an anesthesiologist can usually collect their full monthly benefit and work in a different occupation. Most anesthesiologists have individual disability policies and these policies usually allow an anesthesiologist to collect residual disability benefits if they either reduce their hours or eliminate certain duties. We have represented several anesthesiologists that became totally disabled from operating room anesthesiology and were able to collect total disability benefits after they retrained in pain management. Our job as disability insurance attorneys is to help you plan so that you can maximize the benefits under your disability policy and engage in another type of work should you desire to do so.  

Every Disability Company Sells Different Disability Policies and You Should Know About Your Disability Company

The language in your disability policy is specific to you and most disability policies contain different language. Every company sells different disability policies and every disability company has their own methods for handling a long-term disability claim. We have seen every type of disability policy. Our lawyers have handled thousands of disability claims with every disability insurance company and we know exactly what it takes to get your benefits paid.

We want you to learn about your disability company by searching on our website for information about your disability company. You will be in a much better position to collect disability benefits if you know as much as possible about your company. We encourage you to contact any of our disability attorneys for a free initial consultation to discuss your long-term disability benefit claim.