LymeNet Flash: LTD with CIGNA

This is topic LTD with CIGNA in forum General Support at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by RDT (Member # 7431) on :

Hi All,
I am on FMLA which runs out in OCT and after that I am supposed to apply for LTD. Our carrier is Cigna. Does anyone know of any problems or advice for this process?

Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :

People have run into problems with lyme and disability insurance. Discussed in the past in a number of threads here. If you don't get enuf replies, might try to do a search of archives----just click on the search button and fill in the fields. Could use search term of Cigna, LTD, disability, etc.

Here is one just in the last couple of days:
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum3/HTML/013483.html

[This message has been edited by lou (edited 02 September 2005).]

Posted by ConnieMc (Member # 191) on :

LTD carriers are generally dead set on denying claims. They are not your friends. Be careful of everything you say and do. Start working on this now. Obtain and review (with a fine tooth comb) a copy of your "summary plan description". This is the document which explains your plan. The details are very important.

Start pulling together your medical records to determine if there is plenty of info documenting your "functional" problems due to your illness. Concentrate on getting info which describes both your physical limitations, as well as your psychological limitations and cognitive problems (if you have those).

If you have a psychiatric/psychological diagnosis, be aware that most plans put a 2 year limit on benefits for claimants who are disabled with mental problems. Although you may have depression or anxiety as a secondary diagnosis due to Lyme, your LTD might try to proclaim that the mental health issues are the reasons you are out of work. Thus, if you are out of work for 2 years, they will then have reason to cut you off. Obtain written documentation from them explaining the basis of your approval early in the process. That way, you will know if they are trying to pull a fast one.

Also, most policies will generally cover you if you are unable to perform your "own occupation" for 2 years. After that, they will only pay benefits if you can prove you are disabled from performing "any occupation". They have plenty of ways to show that you can work at another job, and cut benefits.

If you can, get your doc to write a letter on your behalf. Concentrate on your functional problems. Not necessarily symptoms, but how these symptoms affect functioning. Activities of daily living, things like that.

I used to do vocational assessments for LTD carriers. I saw them do lots of bad things to people. Therefore, when I was faced with a disability situaton myself, and had to put up with the abuse, stress, etc, of filing disability claims, I decided I would never return to doing that. But my experience certainly served me well, as I knew all about their bag of tricks and how they treat people. Frankly, I do not know how some of these people sleep at night.

Register on the yahoo group "disinissues". Excellent group. They have a listserve and good resources for use if you need to file either a LTD of SSD claim.

Good luck...