Insurance Company Tactics For Denying Long-Term Disability Claims In Florida

When medical conditions impact your health and mobility to the point that you are unable to work, long-term disability benefits available through your employer protect your financial security. They can reimburse you up to two-thirds of lost income if you are unable to work for a year or longer, but it is not uncommon for claims to get denied or delayed. Our Orlando long-term disability lawyer explains tactics insurers frequently employ that can impact your rights to benefits.

Common Tactics Used By Insurers To Deny or Delay Your Long-Term Disability Benefits

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly half of all workers are entitled to long-term disability benefits through group policies employers have in place. These may be included as part of your overall employee compensation and provide important protections in the event an illness, injury, or chronic health condition prevents you from working.

While you may be entitled to long-term disability benefits in Florida, getting your claim approved by insurers is often a complicated and time-consuming process. Keep in mind that as for-profit businesses, it is in the insurer’s financial interests to find reasons to either deny or downplay your claim. Tactics they often employ include:

• Disputing whether you are eligible for long-term disability insurance coverage;
• Disputing whether you have a covered condition;
• Downplaying your condition and disputing whether it leaves you disabled;
• Claiming you failed to file the appropriate paperwork or submit the required evidence.

Protecting Your Rights When Dealing With Long-Term Disability Insurers

As an employer-provided benefit, provisions for administering long-term disability benefits are covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). As a federal law, ERISA does not mandate that your employer provide this insurance, but does protect your rights throughout the claims process and provides options in terms of filing an appeal. To protect yourself in dealing with insurers and their representatives, follow these steps:

• Obtain copies of all long-term disability policy documents, which you are entitled to upon request and free of charge under ERISA;
• Make sure your doctor provides a firm diagnosis of your condition and that it qualifies as a long-term disability;
• Keep copies of all medical records documenting your condition and the care you have received;
• Keep copies of all pay stubs showing lost wages and get detailed descriptions regarding job duties on your job.

Once you file your claim, respond to any communications from the insurer promptly. If they delay making a decision or dispute your rights to benefits, contact our Florida long-term disability lawyer.

Request A Consultation With Our Florida Long-Term Disability Lawyer Today

Long-term disability benefits provided by your employer help to protect your financial security if you are unable to work. However, insurers often engage in tactics that result in denied or delayed benefits. To protect your rights in a claim, get Farrell Disability Law on your side. Call or contact us online and request a consultation with our Florida long-term disability lawyer in our Orlando or Jacksonville office today.

Sources:

bls.gov/opub/ted/2020/short-term-and-long-term-disability-insurance-for-civilian-workers-in-2020.htm

dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/erisa#:~:text=The%20Employee%20Retirement%20Income%20Security,for%20individuals%20in%20these%20plans.