The Long Term Disability Insurance Claims Process

If you are currently disabled, then there will come a time when you must partake in the long term disability insurance claims process.  This is perhaps the single most arduous process that there is when it comes to your disability insurance claim.  Nonetheless, it is one of those things in life that in your particular situation must be done. 

Starting the Process

To start the long term disability insurance claims process, you will file your claim for long term disability with your insurance company (if you purchased the long term coverage on your own) or through your employer (current or previous – depending on if you are currently employed or if it was your former employer who had you covered under a blanket long term disability insurance policy.) 

After you file your paperwork your attorney will work with your attending doctor in order to get the physician’s statement portion completed.  This step is crucial because it is the physician’s statement that provides the necessary validation of your disability.  Based on all that you submit, your insurance company will then decide whether or not you are considered a disabled individual.  If they find you disabled, then they will pay you the long term disability benefits.

Potential problems

While the process sounds simple, it can be exceeding difficult to get the insurance company to label you as disabled: 

• For one thing they need concrete proof of the disability, and while you may have had the same doctor for ten or so years, the insurance company will inevitably want to have their own in-house physician provide them with a proper disability diagnosis.  This is where things can get a bit murky, which is why it is good to have an attorney retained. 
• Your claim will need to convey how your disability limits your capability to work at any job.  This is why your doctor’s statement is crucial.  If the doctor’s statement is not specific enough (meaning that the statement does not convey every fact, limitation and debilitating restriction that your disability causes you) then your claim will be denied.

Once your claim is approved, then your money will be disbursed, if your claim is denied then you will need to make a written appeal.

Getting Help

One of the key things that you should consider prior to even embarking on the journey of completing your long term disability claim is to contact an attorney that specializes in disability insurance claims.  You need to be prepared every step of the way.  Additionally, a disability insurance attorney can actually assist you throughout the entire process of completing your paperwork.