Some people require LTD due to extreme stress.
Many people have short-term disability (STD) insurance through their employers. STD replaces all or a part of a worker's salary if he becomes disabled for a short period of time, usually less than six months. Long-term disability (LTD), which some employers offer and can also be purchased privately, replaces approximately half of a worker's salary for a period of several years after she becomes disabled. The most common reason people file for LTD is injury to the muscles or bones, but some people also experience mental health issues, such as extreme stress, which render them unable to work.
Instructions
1. Read your policy carefully. Some LTD policies do not offer any coverage for psychiatric issues, sometimes referred to as nervous or mental disorders. Others may not offer coverage for stress, specifically, but may offer benefits for stress-related diagnoses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder or panic disorders.
2. Hire an attorney who specializes in LTD claims. A skilled attorney can tell you exactly what kind of documentation your insurance company is looking for and can help you complete any necessary paperwork.
3. Obtain statements from doctors and psychiatrists who have treated you or who are treating you. Ideally, the statement should contain your diagnosis, the fact that your condition is so severe it prevents you from working, any treatments that have failed to alleviate your condition, any treatments you are currently undergoing and a prognosis.
4. Sign consent forms so that the insurance company can access your medical records to make a determination as to whether your claim is valid.
5. Appeal if necessary. Many claims for mental health disability benefits are turned down the first time they are submitted. If you are denied benefits, work with your attorney to appeal the decision in a timely manner.
Tags: becomes disabled, extreme stress, insurance company, mental health, offer coverage, worker salary
