Your patients come to you expecting quality care and expert diagnosis. Sometimes it is necessary to encourage them to get a second opinion to put their minds at ease and or to satisfy a health insurance provider. Either way, patients are always better served when there are no questions left unanswered. This Professional standard of care should also be provided when you go shopping for a disability policy. You as the consumer expect professional advice along with the best possible policy to protect you properly in your medical specialty. However, this doesn’t always happen.
Insurance is a highly competitive field and we have our fair share of unprofessional agents. Those who are simply in it for the numbers (income) and are not concerned with the best interest of their clients. Customer service and building an ongoing relationship is not their primary concern. As a consumer, you should be alert and do your homework and research.* (*Please note when investigating its important to understand the point of view and bias of the author. If the author of an article discusses only one product/company with nothing but praise, these articles are most likely commissioned by the company itself and/or an agent who works exclusively for them.)
Disability Insurance protection can provide you with a comfortable living should you need it. However,if your agent is not a true professional and either made false or incorrect statements on your application then the Insurance Carrier will deny your claim and/or cancel your policy. This is more common than you think with no recourse against the agent. Simply put, when you sign the application you are testifying that you have read and understand the entire contract and the statements made within application are true and complete. Basically, the agent is off the hook but you could be left filing bankruptcy if you are totally disabled.
Your family’s financial security is on the line, so it is imperative that you acquire your first or even second opinion from a reputable specialist who works for you not the insurance company!
Stacia Musleh, V.P. IncomeProtectionSpecialist.com
