If your long-term disability claim resulted in a denial, you have the right to appeal. Here’s how to gather important documentation to support your appeal and write a long-term disability appeal letter to your insurance provider.<\/p>\n
Your\u00a0disability denial letter<\/strong> is the first step in approaching your long-term disability appeal.<\/p>\n It should give you the following information:<\/p>\n Denials for long-term disability insurance claims<\/a> can happen for many reasons and are far too common. Your insurance provider might cite insufficient medical evidence, failure to meet a policy definition of disability, or even missed deadlines. But rest assured, you have the right to appeal and make your case heard.<\/p>\n Review your disability denial letter carefully, and make a list of issues that you disagree with or think you have documentation to challenge.<\/p>\n The\u00a0claim file<\/strong> for your disability case is where you’ll find all records that could be used to decide your case. When you appeal, the contents of that claim file will determine the results of the appeal.<\/p>\n If you are filing an appeal on a long-term disability policy governed by ERISA,<\/a> the contents of your disability claim file must be provided to you at your request for free.<\/p>\n Not sure if your plan is governed by ERISA? Learn about the difference between ERISA and Individual Disability Insurance here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Some sample language that might help you in forming your request for your claim file:<\/p>\n “Please send me a copy of the claim file for my long-term disability insurance policy. I will notify you at a later date when I intend to appeal.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n It is common to receive a claim file and realize there is missing information that would help to clarify the issues surrounding your claim. Take note of anything missing from your claim file and follow up with your insurance company with specific requests for any missing information.<\/p>\n In addition to your claim file, you will benefit from having a copy of your long-term disability insurance policy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you obtained your policy through your employer, then you can usually get this from your Human Resources representative for your current or former employer.<\/p>\n If you purchased your policy on your own, then you need to request the policy from the agent that helped you purchase the policy or directly from the insurance company itself.<\/p>\n This step is a bit more difficult to summarize because it will vary for every case.<\/p>\n If your policy is governed by ERISA, this is the last time you will be able to add to your claim file.<\/strong> If your case goes to court, you will only be allowed to show the judge the information contained in the file.<\/p>\n Under ERISA, you will not be able to add any additional evidence once the appeal process is completed. It’s best to err on the side of submitting more rather than less information with your appeal.<\/p>\n Wondering whether a piece of evidence is worth including in your appeal? Reach out to us today<\/a>, and we will give you feedback.<\/p>\n If other agencies have determined you are disabled and unable to work, be sure to include this in your appeal letter.<\/p>\n For example, if you’ve been approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) <\/a>or VA (Veterans) Pension or Compensation, <\/strong>this could work in your favor for your long-term disability appeal.<\/p>\n Include any relevant information from other benefits processes with your long-term disability appeal. This could be anything from a simple approval letter to a detailed disability analysis.<\/p>\n By now you should understand why your claim was denied, what evidence is missing, where to get it, and how it all applies to your appeal. It’s now time to start writing your disability appeal letter.<\/p>\n Important:<\/strong> Submit your appeal letter via certified mail or fax. Be sure to follow up with the insurance company to confirm they received it and document who you spoke to and when.<\/p>\n Under ERISA law you only have 180 days to appeal<\/strong>, so you should start the appeal process as soon as possible.<\/p>\n It takes time to collect additional evidence, and if you are using disability lawyers, they will need time to do their part as well.<\/p>\n Take the necessary time to gather the correct information in your claim, but keep in mind how important it is to be timely as well. Under ERISA, if you miss your appeal deadline, then you are barred from taking any further legal action on your claim.<\/p>\n Read more: What to expect during the ERISA appeal process<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The appeal process can be daunting with strict deadlines and requirements, and the paperwork can be tedious. If you need help at any point during the process, just give us a call.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If your long-term disability claim resulted in a denial, you have the right to appeal. Here’s how to gather important documentation to support your appeal and write a long-term disability appeal letter to your insurance provider. 1. Read and understand your disability denial letter Your\u00a0disability denial letter is the first step in approaching your long-term read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6134,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[95],"tags":[6,251],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n
2. Request your claim file<\/h2>\n
When requesting your claim file:<\/h3>\n
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3. Obtain a copy of your insurance policy<\/h2>\n
4. Collect any other supporting documentation<\/h2>\n
Additional documentation that could be helpful:<\/h3>\n
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5. Find decisions from other agencies about your disability<\/h2>\n
6. Write your long-term disability appeal letter<\/h2>\n
Your disability appeal letter should include:<\/h3>\n
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Be sure to meet all deadlines!<\/h2>\n
You don’t have to do this alone<\/h2>\n