If you become disabled, you may not be able to work and care for yourself like you used to. Consequently, you may be eligible for financial restitution under your employer-funded Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) plan. However, it is not uncommon for the insurance company to deny your disability claims. If this happens, you might want to know what went wrong.
Like any legal matter, applying for long-term disability benefits can be a huge challenge. A single unintentional mistake can ruin your chances of receiving the benefits you may be entitled to, and this can be extremely hard to deal with.
Here are three mistakes you want to avoid while pursuing your long-term disability benefits claims.
Missing important deadlines
Deadlines are extremely important when pursuing long-term disability benefits. You have specific timelines within which you must file your claim and respond to the insurance company’s requests to supply information pertaining to your injuries or illness. Failing to comply with these deadlines can jeopardize your claim.
Failing to provide sufficient evidence
Insurance companies take evidence very seriously. It is crucial that you provide sufficient medical evidence that details your condition and how it is impacting your ability to work. Simply filling out the insurer’s claim form with your symptoms and general diagnosis might not be sufficient. Alongside this, you need to provide a comprehensive record of your test results as well as your treatment plan and records.
Disregarding your treatment plan
The insurance company will not take your word for it. They will watch you closely. And if they learn that you are not taking your treatment plan seriously (say, missing doctor appointments), they will have questions. It is in your best interest that you follow through with your doctor’s treatment plan.
Long-term disability claims can be quite complex. Find out how you can protect your rights and interests while pursuing disability benefits.