Hello, dlcrmn-ga!
First of all, do you already have disability insurance? That is the
most important aspect of your question. Are you an employee of a
company with which you are filing a claim, or are you self-employed
and looking to file a claim?
Insure.com has an excellent article called "The Basics of Short Term
Disability Insurance" at
http://www.insure.com/disability/shorttermdisability.html.
The article ranks the top 10 Disability Insurance providers and
provides an overview about disability claims and provisions. An
excerpt on individual insurance follows:
"Individual STD policies are available on a limited basis. Some
insurers sell "accident policies" that will pay you money each month
for a year if you are injured in an accident, but most people do not
opt for that coverage, according to Drew King, vice president of
marketing for JHA."
"If you have enough in savings to last until you go to work again,
you probably don't need to buy STD or an individual accident policy.
However, if you do not have much in savings or any other income to
fall back on if you were to become disabled, an individual STD policy
may not be a bad option."
"You can buy individual STD policies, but they're very hard to find
and they're very expensive," King says. "Most people think they can
get through six months to a year [with] their savings, or some kind of
salary continuation, or help from their parents."
Assuming that you already have disability insurance and are merely
looking for advice on filing your claim, there are two options:
The first is simple - read the instructions for filing a claim with
your insurance company, or talk to the human resources department
about how to file a claim under your company's policy.
*****Now, I am assuming this is too simplistic an answer, or you would
not have asked the question in the first place. Therefore, I am
presuming that you are wanting to file a claim which you feel may run
into some adverse reactions on the part of the insurance company*****
My second option, therefore, is to contact a company similar to
Bonnet Fairborn Friedman and Balint, P.C. (They work primarily with
doctors as well as business professionals) Their website is located at
http://www.disabilitycounsel.net/noflash.htm.
Some excerpts concerning the reason individuals need claims advice,
and the services the company offers, follow:
"Because of the significant increase in disability claims, insurance
carriers are now scrutinizing the terms of their policies and any
claims made thereunder, utilizing novel and creative theories when
denying benefits. At the same time, these carriers are attempting to
increase their revenues by significantly raising premiums on new
policies, which provide far fewer benefits than policies issued less
than a decade ago. Because physicians are no longer a targeted group
for disability insurance, insureds should familiarize themselves with
their policies and the claims process, and continue paying premiums on
any liberalized policies that they may have purchased in the past."
http://www.disabilitycounsel.net/history.htm
The company has "earned a national reputation for prosecuting
claims on behalf of individuals based on fraud and unfair business
practices in the insurance and healthcare industries." They also focus
on litigating disability claims for individuals covered by private or
company-sponsored disability insurance.
The company offers:
Legal advice and counseling on documenting claims for benefits with
disability insurance carriers, completing claim forms and
communicating with treating physicians.
Legal advice and counseling on how to handle an Independent Medical
Examination that may be required by the insured's disability insurance
carrier.
Legal advice and counseling on what to do when the disability
insurance carrier attempts to stop paying benefits based on
surveillance records and other alleged investigations.
Eliminating the unequal bargaining position that exists between the
insured and his insurance carrier when negotiating the terms and
conditions of a lump-sum buyout.
Analyzing complex applications and policies, identifying coverage
issues and protecting the insured's right to benefits.
Protecting against unreasonable delays in processing claims.
Mediation and prosecution services against claims disputes.
See http://www.disabilitycounsel.net/services.htm
Also refer to their discussion about dealing with controversial
diagnoses at
http://www.disabilitycounsel.net/sdc.htm.
If you do not fall under the term "professional" as indicated by the
above firm, I would still suggest you look for a firm in your area
that consults in filing disability claims.
For an example of services offered by Disability Claims consultant
Arthur Fries, please go to http://www.afries.com/facts.htm
Please read "Twenty Questions to Ask Before You File a Disability
Claim," by Arthur L. Fries, a Disability Claims Consultant, at
http://www.afries.com/articles4.htm
Also read "Disability Insurance Claims Advice: Facts and Findings" at
http://www.afries.com/facts.htm
The above firms I have referenced are merely for informative
purposes. They offer some ideas for you to consider before filing a
short-term disability claim. After reading through the above
information, you should be able to determine how to pursue filing your
claim, whether by going it alone, or seeking the advice of a claims
consultant.
I hope this helps. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need further
information.
umiat-ga
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