Disability attorneys are able to represent people at any stage of the disability claim process. This ranges from the initial application all the way to fighting for benefits upon appeal.
Understanding what you are up against is the best way to position yourself for success when filing a claim. We have put together some of the top tips that can help disability insurance attorneys get the best outcome for their clients.
Document the Claim
Being prepared is the best way to ensure success in any disability claim case. While the client who is disabled will fill out some forms, there are others that must be filled out by the medical provider. Make sure the claim is documented properly at each step of the process. That means the medical charts, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment plan all need to be filled out in detail.
Pay Attention to The Elimination Period
There is a specific time frame for each part of the claim filing process. It is critically important to pay attention to the elimination period in the claim filing process. A disability elimination period is best described as the time between when a client’s disability started and when they will actually start getting benefits. Every policy has a different timeframe, though 60 days are standard.
Time Your Inform Date with The Elimination Date
Although disability insurance is meant to be a lifeline following an ailment or illness that renders a person unable to work, insurance providers will try to delay benefits. If a policy has a long elimination period, such as a 180 period, there is a benefit to delaying notification. The client should seek treatment and get diagnosed, but delay the initial claim submission. This will reduce the amount of time an insurance provider has to build a case against the claim.
Double Check the Application Package
Even as a skilled disability attorney or a personal injury attorney, it is still possible to make mistakes. A great number of claims are denied based solely on avoidable mistakes such as a missed box or an incorrect date. Take the time to comb through the application, confirm the details, and add additional information or documents if needed prior to filing.
Check the Dates
If a client has a group policy, chances are the effective coverage date is different than the date employment started. Some disability insurance policies are not effective until several months after a person has started working. In the event a disability starts before the start of coverage, then the claim will be denied.
This also applies to exclusions in both group and private disability policies. The insurance provider will check to see if the client has been treated for the same ailment within a certain time frame before coverage started.
Protecting Professionals One Claim at A Time
Working in the field of disability insurance is not always easy, but with proper preparation, securing benefits for a client will be simple. Always take the time to check paperwork and ensure ASP forms and diagnosis paperwork are filled out correctly. Respond to the insurance company in writing, and most importantly, file claims on time for the best results.
If you want to know what is the role of a disability attorney click here.
