Long Term Disability Denials and Appeals: Cigna

Cigna is a large insurance company that sells long term disability insurance policies primarily to trade associations, professional associations, labor unions, and similar organizations, both in America and internationally.  It is not uncommon for initial claims for long term disability coverage to be denied, whether the policy was issued by Cigna or another insurance company.  Therefore, it is essential that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities should Cigna deny your claim for long term disability benefits.

Reasons that Cigna May Deny Long Term Disability Benefits and Appeals

There are many reasons that Cigna and other insurance companies routinely deny claims for long term disability benefits, as well as appeals of those denials.  Some of these reasons are as follows:

• Insufficient medical evidence in support of long-term disability
• Conflicting accounts of the disabling effects of a medical condition
• Determination that the claimant can perform some types of work, even though limited in other types of work
• Evidence that the claimant has substantially recovered from the medical condition and is no longer disabled

Any of these types of reasons may suffice for Cigna or another insurance company to deny your claim for long term disability benefits.  As a result, your only option to continue to seek these benefits or pursue your claim is to appeal the denial of your claim.

Options for Appealing Cigna’s Denial of Long Term Disability Benefits

The law requires that insurance company provide an administrative appeals process for the denial of claims for long term disability benefits.  There are strict timeframes to which you must adhere if you wish to appeal the denial of your claim for benefits.  In many cases, you must file an appeal of the denial of your claim within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date of the letter that denied your claim.  If you go through all of Cigna’s available administrative appeals processes, and your claim is still denied, your only recourse is to file a lawsuit in the appropriate court in order to continue to appeal the denial of your benefits claim.

Using a Lawyer to Litigate an Appeal Request

The appeals process for the denial of long term disability benefits is extensive and multi-layered.  As a result, hiring the services of an experienced disability attorney may be crucial to overturning the denial of your claim.  By using a disability attorney to assist you in appealing any denial of your claim for long term disability benefits, you will give yourself a much greater chance of success.