The practice of Emergency Medicine is a noble profession and one that is commonly employed by a hospital. Today, most hospitals offer group disability insurance policies for their doctors and many emergency medicine specialists take advantage of this option and get additional coverage through their medical associations. If you are one of the hundreds who have done this, there is some important information you need to be aware of.
In a recent lawsuit, a doctor claimed the insurance company that provided his disability coverage through his employment was negligent in not paying the full benefit when he became disabled. Unfortunately, for this doctor the courts ruled in favor if the Disability Insurance provider. The reason was that the physician also held another disability income protection policy through his medical association. The doctor assumed that the policy he owned through the professional association was a private one and therefore he was entitled to benefits from both his group employment and what he thought was Private coverage. The insurance carrier countered by showing that the benefits offered through his association were not private at all but just another type of group disability income protection coverage. Folks this went through the federal court system and the judge denied the doctor’s claim. You as an emergency medicine specialist must be aware of this. Never assume that the benefits you are receiving through your emergency medicine association will act a private coverage. Especially, if you are part of an employer offered benefit program.
As a doctor practicing emergency medicine, there is no better option than owning a private disability income protection policy. The cost might appear to be more than what your employer or association is offering but is well worth the extra expense to have the peace of mind a disability income protection policy is supposed to provide. We are professionals that specialize in disability insurance and make sure you have the appropriate coverage for your professional specialty. Give us call and let us help you.
