A lot of people appreciate it when their employer provides some kind of ERISA disability insurance. When they do, employees expect their claims to be approved after they develop a disability – but their policies may cover far less than they expect.
There are a lot of health constraints that are considered disabling. However, not every medical condition applies under an ERISA long-term disability plan. Here’s what you should know:
Life-long medical conditions are generally what’s meant by “long-term”
Some health conditions may not be considered a long-term disability, such as childbearing, surgery recovery or minor injuries from an accident. These medical conditions may not be lasting or affect a person for the entirety or majority of their life. However, if injuries or medical conditions continue to impede someone’s life, they may be able to apply for long-term disability.
Other disabilities may affect people for their entire lives and may not be immediately visible to others. Life-long disabilities often affect how people perform their jobs and go about their lives. These kinds of disabilities include:
- Cancer
- Bi-polar syndrome
- ADHD
- Depression
- Lupus
- Crohn’s disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Migraines
- Chronic fatigue
Eligibility for long-term disability provides people with many benefits. Policyholders may be able to receive benefits of up to 70% of their salary for lasting disabilities, hospital coverage and monthly payments.
If you’re looking to apply for ERISA long-term disability, you may need to know your options. You also need to know more about the challenges of filing a claim for your particular condition. Experienced legal guidance can help.