As I have previously explained, in December 2016 the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) released a new rule amending 29 C.F.R. §2560.503-1, the federal regulations for claims procedures of ERISA-governed disability insurance plans. These rules will generally affect all group long-term disability plans that are obtained through an employer. The new rules were scheduled to go in effect in January 1, 2018, but as I discussed this past January, the effective date was delayed to April 1, 2018. Now that the new rules have arrived, I am re-upping my previous explanation highlighting the new rules. —– Improvement to Basic […]

For Immediate Release PHILADELPHIA, March 8, 2018 – Mark F. Seltzer was named an Honorary Member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). As the Founding Partner of Seltzer & Associates, Mr. Seltzer has represented sick and injured professionals in their private disability claims for over the past twenty years, specifically focusing on doctors suffering from addiction. Through this representation, he has worked with addiction medicine doctors, and spoken and presented at various conferences and programs, including ASAM’s annual meetings. Therefore, the ASAM Board of Directors is honoring Mr. Seltzer in recognition of his “dedication, service and contributions” to […]

As I wrote about last January, in December 2016 the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) released its Final Rule amending the Claims Procedure regulating claim handling for ERISA governed disability benefits. In the Final Rule, ERISA governed plans were required to implement a number of changes to their claims handling procedures effective January 1, 2018. However, on October 12, 2017, pursuant to the Executive Order Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda, the DOL sought comment on a proposed 90-day delay of the January 1, 2018 applicability date. According to the DOL, this delay was in response to the concern of insurance […]

Individual Disability Policies, Long Term Disability Plans, and Social Security all define disability differently; make sure you understand the difference. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every five adults in the United States has a disability. As of 2015, that was 53 million people. What happens when you become disabled? For many people, suffering a disabling injury or sickness means they must stop working. Or, for those fortunate to be able to continue working, it often means changing what they do or reducing the amount of time they work. Unfortunately, this often causes financial […]

Download a copy of Mark F. Seltzer’s presentation, A Legal Perspective, from The 48th ASAM Annual Conference. In this presentation, Mr. Seltzer discussed the legal issues that may impact treating addiction psychiatrists and psychologists and licensed healthcare professionals throughout the course of treating their patients and what steps can be taken in view of those issues. Mr. Seltzer also discussed the legal issues these healthcare provider’s patients may face and what they can do throughout the course of treatment to assist them. Enter Your Email Address

Mark F. Seltzer was featured in The Legal Intelligencer on August 4, 2017, highlighting his recent presentations at the 48th American Society of Addiction Medicine conference and the Federation of State Physician Health Programs ­conference. At The 48th ASAM Annual Conference, Mr. Seltzer presented during The ASAM Pain & Addiction Common Threads Course XVIII. His course “A Legal Perspective” discussed legal issues that may impact healthcare professionals treating patients with addiction and mental health impairments, and legal issues healthcare professionals may face themselves when dealing with similar impairments. At the 2017 FSPHP Annual Education Conference, Mr. Seltzer presented “Restoring Physician […]

Mark Seltzer will be presenting License to Kill – The Danger of Practicing While Impaired today at IDAA 2017. Mark will be discussing issues and pitfalls common to disabled professionals, how to avoid them, and how to return to safely to practice. Earn CME credits and learn how to use disability insurance as one of the tools in your recovery. If you are a professional or executive seeking assistance with your Individual or Long-Term Disability claim, please contact Seltzer & Associates today at 888-699-4222 to speak with one of our attorneys.

For Immediate Release PHILADELPHIA, May 12, 2017 – The Law Firm of Seltzer & Associates is honored to announce that Ethan F. Abramowitz has been recognized as a 2017 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Mr. Abramowitz represents disabled professionals and executives in individual and long-term disability insurance claims, ERISA, breach of contract, and insurance bad faith cases. About Seltzer & Associates Seltzer & Associates is dedicated to helping professionals and executives suffering from physiological, […]

For professionals and executives, having individual disability insurance and group long-term disability insurance from your employer is often the best bet. The key is to understand what each of your polices does for you, and make sure you have the coverage that meets your needs.

Mark Seltzer will be presenting today at The ASAM Pain & Addiction Course at The ASAM 48th Annual Conference. A Legal Perspective will present legal issues that may impact you as the treating addictionologist / addiction psychiatrist / addiction psychologist / licensed healthcare professional and what steps you can take to protect yourself in view of those issues. Additionally, your patient may have a variety of legal issues for which you should be aware.