There’s a good chance that your employer provides you with long-term disability insurance. Sometimes they pay for it entirely. Other times you have to pay a small premium every month. Either way, it’s a nice benefit to have, as it can come in handy should you become disabled and unable to work.
But there’s a problem: This employer-provided insurance benefit is often denied.
Here are some things you need to know, all of which can help tip the scales in your favor should you ever need to file a claim:
- The insurance company holds all the cards: As an employer provided insurance benefit, the insurer is in the driver’s seat. You may not even pay for coverage out of your own pocket, which makes it even more difficult to feel like you have control over the situation.
- Profit above all else: In your mind, it’s easy to see that you qualify for benefits under your long-term disability insurance policy. But on the flipside, the insurance company doesn’t see things the same way. Instead, it’s their goal to find a way to deny your claim, as this will save them money. In other words, they care more about profit and less about your health and well-being.
- A denial isn’t the end: You file a long-term disability insurance claim with the idea of quickly receiving benefits. You need this money to help you get by as you recover. Should you receive a denial letter, don’t assume you’ve reached the end of the road. You have the legal right to file an appeal, and you should strongly consider doing so. If you don’t, you let the insurance company win, while you’re stuck to manage the financial ramifications.
If you have long-term disability insurance through your employer, you hope that you never have to file a claim. Doing so means you have an injury or illness that’s likely to impact you for an extended period of time.
Don’t hesitate to receive medical treatment and file a claim for benefits. Doing so puts you on the right track to receiving the money you deserve, as outlined by the terms and conditions of your policy.
