Long-Term Disability Insurance for Oncologists

As an oncologist, you devote your career to helping cancer patients through their most difficult battles. But when you face your own health issues that prevent you from working, the fight to obtain the long-term disability benefits you deserve can be just as challenging. The experienced attorneys at Capitan Law are passionate about helping oncologists like you acquire the necessary support via disability claims.

Our firm handles long-term disability insurance claims every day. We understand the complex ERISA regulations and insurance policies inside and out. We can gather the required medical evidence to prove your disability, negotiate skillfully with insurance companies, and appeal wrongful denials. With offices in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, we are proud to help residents of PA, KY, and New Jersey with their long-term disability claims.

If you are facing difficulties obtaining the long-term disability benefits you deserve, contact us today. You can reach us at (267) 419-7888 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. We are ready to be your ally and help protect your right to LTD benefits.

Long-Term Disability Benefits for Oncologists

Long-term disability insurance provides critical income replacement when cancer doctors can no longer work due to illness or injury. For oncologists, the inability to perform surgery, administer chemotherapy, analyze test results, or provide other essential services typically constitutes a qualifying disability. Evidence shows that many doctors experience long-term illnesses or disabilities at some point. In many cases, these physicians have challenges continuing their work.

Like most professionals, many oncologists access long-term disability insurance through group policies offered by their employers. These policies promise 60-70 percent of your salary, up to monthly maximums, if you meet the policy’s definition of disability. Benefits can extend to retirement age or Social Security eligibility. Having long-term disability coverage provides peace of mind for injured or ill oncologists who are unable to fulfill their professional duties.

Common Causes of Long-Term Disabilities Among Oncologists

Oncologists face higher risks of certain illnesses and injuries that can make it impossible to continue practicing medicine. Common causes of long-term disability include:

Cancer-related illnesses – Occupational radiation and chemical exposures may place oncologists at a higher risk of leukemia, brain tumors, and colon cancer. These can necessitate intensive treatments and surgeries, leading to prolonged disabilities.
Musculoskeletal disorders – Performing repetitive motions during surgeries and procedures can lead to disabling conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and herniated discs. Back pain is also common within the profession.
Mental health issues – The stressful nature of treating cancer can contribute to mental health crises like burnout, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction. These conditions may develop slowly or suddenly.
Neurological diseases – Some chemotherapy drugs are linked to peripheral neuropathy and cognitive deficits that prevent effectively treating patients.

LTD Insurance vs. Workers’ Compensation

It’s important for oncologists to understand the difference between long-term disability insurance and workers’ compensation:

LTD insurance is private coverage paid for by the policyholder (often through an employer) to provide income replacement in case of disability. Long-term disability insurance provides ongoing wage replacement if you can no longer work at all in your profession, regardless of the source of whether you became disabled at work.
Workers’ compensation is a state-mandated program paid for by employers that provides medical, rehabilitation, and wage replacement benefits to those injured on the job. For example, workers’ comp may cover cancers caused by occupational radiation or chemical exposures if they are deemed work-related illnesses. However, depending on the state, workers’ comp tends to cover a more limited period.

LTD coverage and workers’ comp protect oncologists who develop occupational illnesses that permanently prevent them from practicing. An attorney can help you access all benefits you may be eligible to receive.

Frequent Issues With Oncologist Long-Term Disability Claims

Oncologists often face challenges when seeking long-term disability benefits. Here are some arguments insurers often make when denying LTD claims:

The claimant’s cancer, neuropathy, or mental health issues are not genuinely disabling for their occupation
They will not cover the disability due to pre-existing conditions
The claimant can work in a different occupation

Furthermore, some insurance companies employ invasive surveillance tactics to disprove disability claims or try to deny coverage for potential side effects before they occur. An attorney with experience representing oncologists can anticipate and counter each argument to pursue the maximum coverage you deserve. Do not go it alone against the insurance companies.

How an Attorney Can Help with Your Long-Term Disability Claim

Understanding a long-term disability insurance policy can be complex and frustrating when you are already coping with illness or disability. An experienced lawyer can provide invaluable help:

Interpreting ERISA regulations and policy provisions – We understand the technicalities of these regulations and provisions and can handle the details so you can focus on your health.
Gathering medical evidence – We can obtain records and testimony from your doctors that prove your disabling condition. We can also get testimony from medical experts.
Negotiating with insurers – We aggressively negotiate to seek the maximum disability benefits and get them paid on time.
Appealing denials – If your claim is wrongly denied, we can handle the appeals process from start to finish.
Taking legal action – If the insurance companies continue unreasonable denials, we will take them to court to get you the benefits you deserve.

Having an attorney in your corner can make all the difference in getting a fair disability settlement without unnecessary stress.

Contact Capitan Law Today

If you are dealing with the challenging process of getting the long-term disability benefits you need, remember that you don’t need to do this alone. The experienced legal team at Capitan Law is here to help. We offer free consultations to oncologists across Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and New Jersey. Contact our office today to learn how we can help with your long-term disability claim. Call us now at (267) 419-7888 or fill out our online form for your free consultation with an experienced attorney.

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