Disability insurance covers a percentage of a person’s income if they become injured or ill and are unable to work for a period of time. Many private insurance companies offer this insurance; however, many private insurance companies may deny initial disability insurance claims, requiring consumers to go through an appeals process.

Disability insurance can be confusing, and the appeals process for an insurance claim denial can be even more daunting. After you receive a disability insurance claim denial letter, you have 180 days to file an administrative appeal with that insurance company.

In some cases, it can be difficult to get approved for disability benefits. Indeed, some insurance companies do their best to find ways to deny consumers’ benefits. This can be hugely problematic for those who need their disability insurance benefits because they are unable to work.

If your claim for long-term disability benefits was denied, don’t lose hope—a claim denial may be disappointing, but it is not actually the end of the road. Fortunately, even when your claim has been denied, you may still be able to appeal that denial and fight for your benefits. This is quite common for disability insurance to be denied but then granted after an appeal.

What Is Lincoln Financial Short Term Disability?

Lincoln Financial short term disability offers compensation for workers unable to work due to a disability for a short period of time. Insurance companies offer policies ranging from a few months to a year, and pay a portion of the worker’s usual salary during this period.

What Is Lincoln Financial Long Term Disability?

Lincoln Financial long term disability insurance is meant to help provide funds for workers who are out of work due to a disability. Long term disability plans, unlike short term disability plans, can last for much longer periods of time, ranging from six months to ten years, or even up until the policyholder turns 65. Long-term disability policies generally pay about 70 percent of the worker’s usual salary.

It comes as no surprise, then, that long term disability insurance is much more expensive than its short term counterpart.  Another drawback is that long term disability can take several months after a worker becomes disabled to kick in, while short term benefits can begin almost instantaneously.

Some workers may choose to get both short term and long term disability insurance, so that the short term benefits kick in immediately and cover them until their long term benefits can start. However, this approach is much more expensive. Fortunately, long term disability benefits are often offered by employers.

How Do I Appeal Denied Financial Disability?

Lincoln Financial Disability is a type of disability insurance offered by Lincoln Financial Group, a private insurance company. Consumers whose long term disability insurance claims have been denied by a private insurance company like Lincoln Financial may be confused about what to do next.

But there is a path forward: filing a Lincoln Financial disability appeal. If your Lincoln Financial Group disability claim was denied, don’t worry—it is often the case that a worker’s first claim is denied, and that benefits will only be granted after going through an appeals process.

Receiving a long term disability denial letter is only the first step in the process of appealing a disability denial and pursuing compensation for your claim. There are a variety of reasons companies turn down long term disability claims, and many insurance companies turn down a large percentage of first-time disability applicants, even when their claims appear to qualify for benefits.

In your denial letter, the company should cite the specific reasons as to why they denied your claim. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Not meeting the definition of ‘disabled’ under the terms of the policy
• Having an excluded or pre-existing condition
• Missing medical records
• Insufficient evidence of disability
• Self-reported symptoms (rather than hard records)
• The insurance company’s doctors disagree with your physician
• Being caught doing things your disability would prevent you from doing

Pay attention to what exactly your insurance company said led to their denial of your benefits. Then, you can work to bring in the additional records and evidence needed to strengthen your claim.

Appealing the decision in your case may lead to an eventual distribution of benefits. Disability claimants are generally required to exhaust all of their appeal options before being allowed to file a lawsuit pursuing benefits. Additionally, if your long term disability insurance claim was denied by a private insurance company, you may be able to hire an experienced disability claims attorney to help you through the Lincoln Financial disability appeals process.

Disability Appeals Process

The first step in appealing a disability application denial from Lincoln Financial Disability, Unum or another insurer is to study the denial letter. This letter should detail the reasons why your long term disability insurance application was denied, and may inform you of any additional information that is necessary for you to submit with your appeal.

The letter may also explain how to begin the process of filing your appeal, and list any important dates and deadlines. It is very important to ensure that you submit your appeal by the deadline if you want to pursue disability benefits. Under federal law, insurance companies are required to give claimants at least 60 days to file an appeal. Some LTD policies allow even more time.

You may also want to obtain a copy of your Lincoln Financial long term disability policy. If your insurance is provided through your employer, the human resources department at your job may be able to provide a copy of this policy to you. You may also be able to obtain a copy of your policy directly from your employer.

It is also important to submit documentation along with your appeal supporting your claims. Under laws regarding disability benefits, you will not be able to submit additional documentation to support your claims in a lawsuit after you have exhausted your Lincoln Financial disability appeals. Stacking the record with evidence supporting your disability claims during the appeals process may also be helpful later on if you decide to file a lawsuit.

What Kinds of Evidence Can Help Me in My Appeal?

There are several types of evidence that may be helpful to include in your appeal. This documentation may include medical records, medical testing results, and past and current prescriptions. Letters or testimony from doctors and family members supporting your claims may also be helpful. Lastly, your own testimony regarding your limitations may aid you in your case.

Filing a Lincoln Financial disability appeal may seem intimidating or even bleak, but it is important to realize that many who go through this appeals process are granted their benefits. Moreover, an appeal does not go to the same person who issued the initial denial; instead, it is evaluated by an entirely different claim unit.

If your application for disability benefits from Lincoln Financial Disability or another insurer was denied, you may be able to hire an attorney to help you through the appeals process. A qualified attorney may make the appeals process easier, and may make it more likely for you to receive future benefits. You can also file a bad faith insurance claim.

Make sure that you’ve carefully reviewed your Lincoln Financial long term disability policy and the denial letter, as well as made sure you have gathered all the necessary supporting evidence for your claim. The appeals process can also be complicated, so Top Class Actions can connect you with an experienced attorney that can help you have the best chance of a successful appeal.

How Do I Get Help with My Claim?

Fighting back against an insurance company can be extremely intimidating, because many insurers are rather powerful companies. Hiring an attorney can help to better combat these companies. Plus, legal experts note that having an attorney involved in your insurance claim denial appeal can help the claim be taken more seriously.

If you need help with your Lincoln Financial disability appeal or an appeal with another insurance company, Top Class Actions can help you get a consultation with a knowledgeable disability insurance attorney. Of course, nothing can guarantee that an appeal will work, but the odds of success can be greatly improved by consulting an experienced attorney.

If you received an insurance denial letter in the mail and you are still within 180 days from the date on the letter, you may qualify for help with your Lincoln Financial disability insurance appeal or with appealing one of these other companies.

Consulting an attorney can help you put together the most effective evidence for the insurance company to demonstrate that you are disabled under the terms of the insurance company’s policy, such as determining what to include in your appeal and what experts in the area may be able to help your case. This can help make sure you have the best chance possible of receiving the long term disability benefits that you paid for and deserve.

Even if your appeal is denied and you exhaust all administrative methods of fighting for your rightful disability benefits, your attorney can help you file a lawsuit if necessary. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a legal claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

Get Help With Your Long Term Disability Insurance Appeal

If an insurance company denied your long-term disability insurance claim within the past 180 days, a knowledgeable insurance attorney can help you appeal.

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