Long-Term Disability Definitions: Do You Have an ERISA or Individual Policy?
Long-term disability insurance comes in two major types. If you get this insurance through work, it’s probably an “ERISA” policy. Or you could buy an individual policy on your own.
Here are the differences:
- ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) Plans: Policies through your employer are less expensive than individual plans, but they often have lower amounts of coverage. Group plans also use tougher long-term disability qualifications, making it harder to get your claim approved.
- Individual Plans: The premiums for individual plans are higher than employee plans, but they could pay more when you make a claim. When you buy a policy, you can set different coverage amounts and levels of severity that your medical conditions must meet to qualify for benefits.
Depending on the type of plan you have, it could use a different long-term disability definition, which makes it easier or harder to get benefits.
ERISA plans are likely to say your health problems must leave you unable to do “any job” before you can get benefits. That’s a higher bar to reach. Individual plans may award benefits as long as you can’t continue in just your “own job.”
Let our experienced LTD lawyers navigate this tricky process for you—so you get the kind of support that makes a difference when bad health interrupts your career.
Talk to us—without any charges or commitments—to get an idea where you stand and what to do next.
Appealing Your Long-Term Disability Denial with Help from LTD Lawyers
Just some of the reasons your long-term disability insurance company might say they denied you: Your medical conditions don’t warrant a claim. You didn’t pursue the right medical treatment. The company says they don’t cover your particular injury or illness.
If your insurer terminated your benefits after previously paying them, it could be because they think your medical condition has improved. Or their standard for continuing benefits increased from “own job” to “any job” after a period of time.
A long-term disability lawyer who’s seen many times how insurance companies behave can counter whatever they throw at you.
This is what the Silver & Archibald LTD lawyers do for your case:
- Analyze your policy
- Find language that requires the insurer to honor your claim
- Collect the medical evidence you need to strengthen your claim
- Build your appeal of their denial or termination
- Take your case to court if that’s what it takes
You can’t be expected to know all the laws and complexities of long-term disability insurance.
Get someone skilled to look out for your interests.
Talk to the long-term disability attorneys at Silver & Archibald to fight a denial or termination of benefits and fortify your financial future.
Get to Know Silver & Archibald Social Security Disability Attorneys
Legal cases involving your health struggles are highly personal matters. When you’re looking for help, you want someone who treats you with the personal care, respect, and dignity this moment requires.
Answers to Common Questions About Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability is a huge program with a vast set of rules. As a resource for you as you sort out your disability claim, the disability lawyers at Silver & Archibald have prepared answers to some of the most common questions people have.
Common Disability Benefits Questions »
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