04/04/2025    

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (DISABILITY INSURANCE)

RE: OOC Disability Policy (Name Withheld)

From: Bret  M. Ribotsky, DPM

 

As many of you know, after my own personal injury, I have successfully counseled many of our colleagues regarding disability insurance. Approximately 10 years ago, when my accident occurred, there was  no one with any experience to help. I did come across a few disabled podiatrists who shared their experiences, but nothing was concrete or absolute. I was in touch with APMA and willing to help generate guidelines for this, but the then executive director had no interest. 

 

So here’s my abbreviated suggestions: First run all your CPT codes over the last 12 months and correlate how many of them are surgical codes. Keep in mind that all nail debridements, wound care, and all injections are considered surgery under the CPT manual. I also took a large percentage of x-rays as being a surgical necessity and a large percentage of E&M visits as either pre-op or determinations for surgical care. Once I was able to generate a spreadsheet demonstrating that over 50% of my practice was surgically related, I was able to persuade the attorneys at the insurance company to acquiesce, rather than fight the claim for "own occupation" surgical care.

 

This model has been successful now for at least six podiatrists that I’ve assisted, and I’ve lectured in detail a few times in the last decade on this subject. I wish you success and I again challenge the APMA to develop guidelines regarding disability. 

 

Bret  M. Ribotsky, DPM, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Other messages in this thread:

---

04/07/2025    

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (DISABILITY INSURANCE)

RE: OOC Disability Policy (Bret M. Ribotsky, DPM)

From: Ivar E. Roth DPM, MPH, Jack Ressler, DPM

 

Kudos to Dr. Ribotsky for his help and insight. When I broke my ankle and had to have surgery, I used my benefits from my disability policy, and they sure came in handy. I agree that the APMA should take a leadership role and put together something for the members. Bret always has great proactive suggestions.

 

Ivar E. Roth DPM, MPH, Newport Beach, CA

 

I commend Dr. Ribotsky for his assistance in this difficult situation many podiatrists face. One extremely important aspect that relates to all of the less than favorable decisions deals with the disability insurance company we choose to buy our policies from. Choosing a company and giving them a good chunk of money does not guarantee favorable decisions when a claim is made. 

 

Although I’m retired now, when I first opened my practice, I contacted Northwestern Mutual and was immediately assigned a local agent who came to my office to discuss policies. I felt very confident in this relationship and made the decision to buy a policy from them. Yes, it was expensive but in the 30 plus years in practice, I had two claims that were paid. They did have their process I had to follow, and one of them was almost exactly what Dr. Ribotsky advised his fellow podiatrists to follow. My Northwestern Mutual agent was very helpful with both claims. Yes, my policy was expensive, but as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. Just because you write a big check to a disability insurance company doesn’t guarantee you good results. 

 

Jack Ressler, DPM, Boca Raton, FL