After decades of demanding work, many physicians and medical professionals eventually confront an uncomfortable reality: chronic pain, illness, or exhaustion is interfering with their ability to practice.
Whether you’re an orthopedic surgeon with degenerative disc disease, a dermatologist managing long COVID, or a primary care physician grappling with burnout, you may be considering scaling back your hours, selling your practice, or changing what types of treatments and services you can offer.
Before making these significant decisions, you should take one critical step: speak with an experienced disability insurance attorney.
At Bryant Legal Group, we work with physicians and healthcare providers who find themselves at a crossroads. Many of them are navigating challenging conditions while trying to protect their careers, practices, and financial stability.
In this article, we’ll explore why legal counsel should be part of your decision-making process and how it could protect your long-term interests.
The Physical and Mental Tolls of Medical Practice
Modern medicine demands extraordinary commitment. Long hours, emotionally charged environments, and intense focus can leave even the most resilient professionals vulnerable to health issues.
Here are some conditions that have commonly caused physicians to reconsider their work:
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Years of procedures, rounds, and long surgeries often lead to conditions such as:
- Cervical and lumbar disc degeneration
- Chronic back or neck pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Shoulder or knee issues
These impairments can be especially impactful for surgeons, anesthesiologists, and proceduralists who rely on precision and stamina.
Neurological and Autoimmune Disorders
Conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis may cause fluctuating symptoms, fatigue, and cognitive impairments, all of which can complicate diagnosis, treatment, and communication.
Mental Health Disorders
The high-pressure environment of medical practice can contribute to:
- Depression and anxiety
- Burnout and emotional exhaustion
- Early signs of cognitive decline
While these conditions may not be outwardly visible, they can deeply affect a physician’s ability to deliver safe, high-quality care.
Why It’s Risky to Move Forward Without Legal Guidance
Faced with these health issues, many doctors choose to “tough it out,” slowly reduce their hours, or retire from medical practice altogether. However, these well-intentioned moves can jeopardize your rights to long-term disability (LTD) benefits, business protection coverage, and other critical policies you may hold.
Here’s why legal consultation should be your first step:
Timing Matters in Disability Claims
If you reduce your workload or income before filing a claim, you may undermine your eligibility for benefits. Many policies define “own occupation” or “partial disability” based on your duties and income at the time of disability. If you’ve already scaled back, it may be harder to argue that your condition prevents you from performing the material duties of your job.
Business Overhead Expense (BOE) and Buy-Sell Policies Have Strict Notice Requirements
Doctors who own their practice often carry BOE insurance or disability buy-out policies. These benefits can cover rent, staff salaries, and even a structured buyout, but only if you closely follow the terms of the contract. Failing to notify the insurer in time or altering your duties may invalidate coverage.
Selling Your Practice Can Trigger Complex Legal and Tax Implications
Selling a practice always comes with complications, whether expected or not. If you’re choosing to sell your practice due to disability, the sale can complicate claims, change your employment classification, or raise questions about whether you are “retired” or “disabled.” Without strategic guidance, you may reduce your leverage or forfeit valuable coverage.
Insurance Companies Are Skeptical as a Matter of Business
Insurers scrutinize claims from physicians. They often challenge whether your condition truly prevents you from practicing or accuse claimants of “self-selecting” early retirement. Your claim must be backed by robust medical, occupational, and financial documentation to overcome this skepticism. Legal professionals can anticipate and help you thoroughly prepare to meet these demands.
EBOOK: The Doctor’s Disability Insurance Appeals Handbook
How Bryant Legal Group Helps Physicians Protect Their Rights
At Bryant Legal Group, we specialize in representing high-income professionals, especially those in healthcare. Our team has helped numerous physicians, dentists, and medical specialists file disability claims, challenge denials, and protect the choices they wish to make for their practices.
Comprehensive Policy Review
We begin by analyzing all relevant policies including LTD, BOE, buy-sell, and others. Every policy has unique definitions, exclusions, and claim procedures. Understanding the circumstances around each is essential to timing out and executing your decisions.
Strategic Claim Planning
We help you plan your transition, whether you intend to reduce hours, stop performing procedures, or step away entirely. Our attorneys coordinate with your medical team, accountant, and practice attorney to build a unified strategy.
Claim Preparation and Advocacy
We do more than file paperwork. We build a strong, medically and legally sound case. Our firm ensures that medical records, vocational analyses, and financial statements align to support your claim. We also defend clients during interviews, field investigations, and appeals.
BLOG: Doctor Disability Insurance: How to Appeal a Claim Denial
Support Through Transition
Whether you’re restructuring your role, hiring a successor, or selling the practice, we can help navigate legal, regulatory, and insurance-based complexities. Our goal is to preserve your financial stability and peace of mind.
What Should You Do If You’re Thinking About Stepping Back from Practice?
If your condition is making it difficult to continue your current medical role, take these steps before making a change:
1. Schedule a Legal Consultation
Contact a law firm that focuses on physician disability claims and insurance law. Understanding your policy rights now can protect future benefits.
2. Review Your Insurance Portfolio
Gather all your disability-related policies, including LTD, BOE, buy-sell, and personal disability coverage. Pay attention to clauses about notification, occupation definition, benefit period, and exclusions.
3. Speak With Your Own Doctor
Ensure you have a clear diagnosis, prognosis, and medical records that reflect how your condition affects your ability to practice. If needed, request a functional capacity evaluation or neuropsychological testing.
4. Document Your Duties and Workload
Keep detailed notes on how your condition affects your practice. If you’re delegating surgeries, cutting hours, or making accommodations, note these changes.
5. Avoid Making Premature Changes
Do not sell your practice, retire, or cut back your hours significantly without taking time to understand how it could affect your claims. Even well-meaning adjustments can complicate the legal landscape.
You Don’t Have to Navigate These Decisions Alone
Your medical career is a source of pride that no one should take from you. But your health, your livelihood, and your legacy are just as important. If pain, disability, or emotional exhaustion is forcing you to consider retirement or downsizing your practice, don’t rush to make a decision. Instead, get the right legal advice first.
At Bryant Legal Group, we’ve helped countless physicians secure the disability benefits and protections they deserve. We understand the unique pressures of practicing medicine and bring the legal skill and empathy needed to guide you through this difficult transition.
Let’s talk before you take your next step. Call us at (312) 757-7269 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.