• November 23, 2018
• Long-Term Disability
• Personal Injury

What Should I Do If My Long-Term Disability Claim Was Denied?

Dealing with disability insurance issues can be extremely difficult, especially if you are already dealing with a serious illness or injury. If you pay for long-term disability insurance and your application for benefits was denied, it’s important to act fast to have the decision appealed. Many claims are turned down after their first application, so it isn’t out of the ordinary to pursue the appeals process in hopes of a different outcome. However, it is crucial that you have an experienced attorney by your side if you want the best possible chance of a successful appeal.

If your long-term disability claim was denied, follow these key steps to obtain the benefits you deserve.

Why Was Your Claim Denied?

Before you take any further action, find out why your claim was denied. Your insurance company will send a denial letter if your long-term disability claim did not go through, and in it you should see why they rejected your initial claim. Discovering what these reasons are and how they apply to your case is key if you plan to file a successful appeal later on down the road. Claims may be denied simply because the application missed the deadline, or because it did not include enough medical documentation. Whatever the case, make sure you are familiar with the reason for your claim’s denial.

Familiarize Yourself With Your Policy

Knowing your insurance policy will make it much easier to file an appeal and to understand why your claim was initially denied. Print out a copy of your policy and read through it, paying close attention to the summary plan description. If you don’t know where to find this policy, ask your human resources department at work.

Pursue an Appeal

By law, your insurance company is required to give you at least 60 days from the date of your initial denial to file a claim. In order to give your appeal the best possible chance of success, you should contact a disability insurance attorney for help. Filing an appeal can be complicated, but an experienced attorney will be familiar with the common denial tactics most insurers use to wrongfully deny claims.

If you think you are entitled to long-term disability benefits, but your insurer still denied you, make sure you talk to an attorney about your denial and discover whether or not an appeal could be possible.

Contact Goodman Acker P.C. today to get started on your Detroit disability insurance case.