If you suffer from depression and anxiety, you are not alone. Statistics show that no less than 40 million American adults – a full 20% of the population – share this debilitating illness. The symptoms and outcomes are broad, but what is most common among sufferers is the inability to function in the fast-paced employment environment. As a result, many attempt to apply for disability benefits to supplement their often simple and minimal existence.
Unfortunately, all too often your claim for long term disability for depression and anxiety is denied. The legal experts at CJ Henry Law Firm are here to help you win your application. Keep reading to find out the most common reasons that your petition could be opposed.
Applications for long term disability for depression and anxiety have increased significantly in the past several decades. In fact, mental illness has become the most prevalent cause for workplace disability. As a result, the industry has taken stringent measures to combat potential false claims. These range from completely excluding requests for long term disability for depression and anxiety to adopting internal protocols for addressing this specific type of claim.
For example, the insurance company could decide your illness stems from causes such as a “toxic work environment” which is not covered in most policies. Also, long term disability for depression and anxiety may be limited to a short time span – perhaps up to two years – and then terminated.
Insurance companies are not in the business of second-guessing physicians and mental health experts. It is incumbent upon you as the claimant seeking long term disability for depression and anxiety to be sure your records are accurate. You must be able to give a complete picture of an ongoing and incapacitating mental illness that prevents you from working and functioning in the real world.
Therefore, you must demonstrate that you have sought regular, repeated and long-term care for your medical problem. This demonstrates to the insurance company that you are indeed involved in the process of improving your mental health. Keep careful records of the visits, your prescriptions and any doctor notes. Be able to demonstrate that you are following the doctor’s orders. This is the most valuable step you can take in your claim.
Insurance companies will likely monitor your progress if you are awarded a claim for long term disability for depression and anxiety. One red flag that may cause them to deny your request outright? The lack of an appropriate medical expert on your team.
The most reliable resource for treating depression and anxiety is a psychiatrist. They are considered specialists in the field of mental illness. Even if your case is not severe enough to warrant ongoing treatment from a psychiatrist one should appear on the treatment plan as a consultant. Mental health experts are a necessary part of the group of specialists who are attending to your care. Be sure that a referral to a mental health expert appears in your medical records.
If you have been referred to a psychologist, psychiatrist or other mental health expert it is important that you keep these appointments if you want to receive long term disability for depression or anxiety — or otherwise maintain the claim if it has been awarded to you. It is essential to show the insurance company that you want to play an active role in your own recovery. There is no acceptable reason to avoid or miss appointments with your psychiatrist or psychologist. It is one of the first reasons an insurance company will reconsider your award for long term disability for depression and anxiety. Go to your sessions.
You may have received an award for long term disability for depression and anxiety. You may have begun to attend your treatment sessions regularly. However, if the insurance company deems the standard of care you are receiving to be substandard they can intervene and deny the claim. Proper care is a matter of medical best practices. And insurance companies employ medical advisers to review your records and determine if the treatment protocols adhere to best practice expectations. For example, if your doctor is prescribing a medication and then failing to monitor its impact on your improvement the insurance company would likely intervene by pulling the payments.
Also, record-keeping should be impeccable. The cost to insurance companies for long term disability for depression or anxiety is high. Thus, these companies will take any opportunity to stop payments.
Long term disability for depression and anxiety is important to those who truly suffer from these ailments. If you are attempting to secure these benefits be aware of the pitfalls you may face. Seek the expert counsel of the CJ Henry Law Firm to represent your interests. We have been successful time and again in securing benefits for those in need.
