The long term disability policy is the contract between a claimant’s employer and the insurance company. The language and provisions in the contract varies from policy to policy, so it is essential that a claimant get a copy of the policy from Human Resources.
Short Term Disability benefits (“STD”) are paid for a limited amount of time, anywhere from one week to six months, depending on your policy. Generally, STD is sometimes paid for by your employer and is usually 100% of your salary. Because STD is usually paid by the employer and is for a limited amount of time, it can be easier to get approved for STD than LTD.
Most Long Term Disability (“LTD”) policies have an “elimination” or waiting period. This means a claimant must first apply for and receive all of the STD benefits available under their policy or satisfy a waiting period by being disabled for up to six months, before a claimant can even apply for LTD benefits. LTD benefits are generally paid for 24 months, if a person cannot work their own job. After this “own occupation” period a claimant can potentially receive LTD benefits until age 65, if they continue to prove disability.
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A catastrophic policy is one that pays benefits only if a claimant is so severely impaired by accident or disease, that the claimant cannot do even the most basic activities of daily living such as feeding, getting dressed or showering without assistance. The insurance company will often send a home health nurse to the claimant’s home to confirm that the claimant is disabled under this type of policy.
Visit our website at disabilitydenials.com to find out more.
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