The process of filing a disability insurance claim can be overwhelming and stressful for individuals already facing health challenges. Unfortunately, an alarming trend has emerged within the industry, where disability insurance companies employ biased medical evaluations to reject valid claims.
In this blog, we will delve into the practice of cherry-picking doctors and medical professionals who may downplay the severity of claimants' conditions, shedding light on the inherent conflict of interest in these evaluations.
Cherry-Picking Doctors
Disability insurance companies often contract with specific doctors and medical professionals to conduct evaluations on claimants. These doctors are chosen for their tendency to provide opinions that favor the insurance company's interests rather than accurately representing the claimant's condition. This cherry-picking of doctors creates a significant conflict of interest, as the doctors become reliant on the insurance companies for a steady stream of business.
Downplaying Severity of Conditions
One of the most concerning aspects of biased medical evaluations is the tendency to downplay the severity of claimants' conditions. These evaluations often focus on minimizing the impact of the disability, disregarding crucial evidence and medical history that supports the claimant's case. As a result, valid claims are unjustly denied, leaving individuals grappling with financial strain and inadequate support.
Conflict of Interest
The bias in medical evaluations stems from the inherent conflict of interest between the insurance companies and the doctors they select. Insurance companies have a vested interest in minimizing claim payouts to protect their profit margins. By aligning themselves with doctors inclined to provide favorable reports, they can effectively deny claims and save money. This conflict compromises the integrity of the evaluation process and undermines the trust that claimants have in the system.
Impact on Claimants
The consequences of biased medical evaluations on claimants cannot be understated. Denied claims lead to financial hardships, loss of access to necessary medical treatments, and emotional distress. Claimants are left feeling betrayed by a system that should provide support during their time of need.
Advocating for Change
To address this concerning practice, it is crucial to advocate for transparency and accountability in disability insurance claims. Legislative reforms can be implemented to ensure the independence of medical evaluations, free from the influence of insurance companies. Stricter guidelines and oversight can help restore trust in the system and safeguard the rights of claimants.
Our Lawyers Specialize in Disability Insurance Claims
Because our law firm has always focused only on disability insurance, our lawyers are experts in legal representation for disability insurance benefits.
That means our disability lawyers have the following:
- Won several major disability lawsuits that help make better laws for disability claimants;
- Experience fighting every major insurance company, such as UNUM, Hartford, MetLife, CIGNA, Prudential, and more.
- Successfully represented hundreds of clients and won millions of dollars in disability benefits.
Because federal law applies to most disability insurance claims, we can help clients across the country.
Disability insurance companies have lawyers. You should, too. Call Dabdoub Law Firm to get experienced disability lawyers on your side.
We can help with the following:
- Submitting a disability insurance claim;
- Appealing a long-term disability denial;
- Negotiating a lump-sum settlement; or
- Filing a lawsuit against your disability insurance company.
Call for a free consultation with a disability attorney. No fees or costs until you get paid.
Contact Dabdoub Law Firm today at (800) 969-0488 or fill out the online contact form to speak with an experienced attorney about your case.
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