Getting Your Long Term Disability Benefits

Most long term disability benefits being provided by employers follow the provisions set in the ERISA or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The same policy states that claims for disability benefit would have to be evaluated by the claims administrator under the insurance provider handling your company. Now, you need to be aware that not all disability applications get approved. If you want to keep this from happening, you might need to keep a few things in mind.

Medical Evidence

Having a complete medical record, including bills, can help ensure that your claim would be approved with very little hassle. That said, you need to make sure that you ask your insurance provider for a list of documents that they need as well as a list of documents that they have already received. Take note of any missing documents and make an effort to have those submitted immediately.

When it comes to long term disability, you have to make sure that you include proof of long-term medical care. This would include results of regular objective tests from your doctor, or proof of visits to your psychiatrist if you are suffering from any psychological condition.

Definition of Disability

Different insurance policies have varying definitions on what is considered as “disabled”. If the insurance that you have is for an “own occupation” long term disability, then you can only file for a disability claim if the injury has rendered you unable to perform the functions of a specific occupation. On the other hand, if your insurance coverage is for “any occupation”, you can file for disability claims regardless of the kind of occupation you are unable to perform.