Hi! My name is Sam, and I started this blog to help other injured people. Before you start reading, let me tell you a little about myself. Ten years ago, I slipped on a slice of fruit in a grocery store. My leg slid out from under me, and in a freak twist, it was rendered useless. I could no longer work and struggled with intense pain every day. Luckily, I found an accident and injury attorney who was able to get me the compensation I needed to cover my medical bills and my lost time at work. However, while I waited for the settlement to come through, I had to get creative physically and financially. This blog is dedicated to anyone who is in that limbo position. I hope the posts here help you decide what to do while you wait for the results of your trial.
If your claim for long-term disability was denied, you have the option of appealing the decision. The appeals process can take time and patience, but there is a good chance that you and your attorney can get the insurance company's decision overturned. Here are some tips to help you be successful in your appeal.
Review the Denial Letter
Before submitting the paperwork necessary to start the appeals process, you need to understand exactly why your application was denied. Applications can be denied for a range of reasons, including incomplete paperwork. If the issue is as simple as turning in missing documentation, contact the insurance company and provide the information needed.
If the issue is more complex, you will have to do more to overturn the decision.
Request a Copy of Your Medical Records
You need to obtain a copy of your medical records from all of your health care providers. You also need to contact the insurance company and determine which records were used to reach a decision. By comparing your complete records to the ones the insurance company reviewed, you can determine if the insurance company did not have a complete picture of your overall health.
If the insurance company did not review or receive medical records that would have helped your application, send copies to the company. To ensure that all of the records were received, send them through certified mail. You also need to follow up with the insurance company a week later to ensure that the records were received and added to your file.
Obtain a Written Medical opinion
In the event that the insurance company does not believe that your injury is not serious enough to warrant long-term disability, you can ask your treating medical care providers to provide written opinions that explain the seriousness of your injury and how it will impact your ability to work.
Your medical care provider might charge for the written opinion, but it can be instrumental in swaying the insurance company. Your attorney can work with your provider to ensure that the opinion is complete and details the severity of your injury.
Your attorney can help you assess your appeal and determine what other steps you can take to change the decision of the insurance company. Since the amount of time you have to appeal is limited, contact an attorney like Scott E. Shaffman Attorney At Law as soon as you receive the insurance company's denial letter.
Share13 September 2015
