What would you do if you were suddenly unable to go to work and didn’t receive your paycheck for six months? Or two years? Could you pay your bills on time and afford your usual living expenses? Would you be able to afford the medical treatment that you need? Many people mistakenly believe that it will never happen to them, but that is not the case. The majority of disabilities result from common illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Long-term disability insurance coverage is meant to protect your income should you become disabled. Unfortunately, Ameritas long-term disability denials are common. An insurance company like Ameritas will look for any excuse to deny a claim rather than pay out a claim, even if there is no legitimate reason for the denial. Even those who are initially approved for benefits face an uncertain future, as many disability claims are wrongfully terminated. It is not unusual for a claimant to receive at least one denial at some point in the process.
If your disability insurance claim was wrongfully denied or terminated, Ortiz Law Firm will help you fight back against Ameritas to get the benefits you deserve.
Who is Ameritas?
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. is a mutual insurance company that has been around in various forms since 1887. The company includes Ameritas Mutual Holding Company and Ameritas Holding Company, as well as Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. of New York. Ameritas and its entities have also been known as Old Line Bankers Life Insurance Company of Nebraska and Acacia.
Disability Insurance Claims with Union Central Life Insurance Company Are Now Handled by Ameritas
In 2006, it merged with Union Central Life Insurance and began offering both group and individual disability policies. Union Central was known to market several Individual Disability Income policies to physicians, dentists, surgeons, attorneys, executives, and other professionals, and this insurance coverage is continued by Ameritas.
Ameritas Long Term Disability Denials
Although it has been recognized as one of the best individual disability insurance companies, Ameritas has a history of denying disability benefits. It happens all too often. Legitimate claims are denied, and claimants are left without the financial support they thought they could depend on. Despite paying your premiums for months, maybe even years, you may be left scrambling to figure out how to afford your regular living expenses and the added cost of medical treatment for your disabling condition.
If your Ameritas disability claim has been denied or terminated then you may be wondering whether you should file your own appeal or hire an attorney. Many individuals with a disability insurance policy need to hire an experienced disability attorney to fight for the disability benefits they deserve. Nick A. Ortiz, the founder of the Ortiz Law Firm, has over a decade of experience representing disabled individuals in their insurance claims across the United States.
Our legal team has the skill and insight necessary to help you address a wide range of issues relating to disability law and your claim for disability benefits. The video below answers the question as to whether you should take the “do-it-yourself” approach and file your own appeal to a denial letter.
Reasons Your Claim May Have Been Denied by the Long Term Disability Insurance Company
There are several reasons why Ameritas may deny a claim:
- Ameritas had your claim reviewed by an “independent” physician. This means that your medical records were sent to one of their doctors, and based upon that doctor’s opinions, the insurance company says they think you could go back to work;
- Ameritas ordered a vocational analysis of your claim. This means that they’ve sent your file to one of their job experts and their job expert says that you can return to work in some capacity;
- Ameritas says there is just insufficient medical evidence. They may say that ”we don’t think that the evidence in your medical records shows that you are unable to perform your job.” It may not be clear what evidence the insurer requires from the claimant.
- There’s a change in the definition of disability. Most disability insurance policies have two definitions of disability, one for the “own occupation” period and one for the “any occupation” period. The change in definition typically occurs after 24 months. Ameritas may review your claim around the time of this transition. They may determine that you are able to do other work, and therefore, are no longer disabled.
If you filed your claim on your own and Ameritas has denied your claim, it is strongly recommended that you do not proceed through the appeal process without an attorney.
Can I File a Lawsuit Against Ameritas?
In some cases, an appeal is successful and the claimant is put “on claim”. This means that the claim was approved and benefits were paid by Ameritas without having to resort to a lawsuit. However, that is not always the case.
If you’ve exhausted your appeals, we’re here to help you file a lawsuit against Ameritas. We will help you file the suit and prepare all necessary documentation for the court review process.
I Haven’t Filed a Disability Insurance Claim with Ameritas / Union Central. How Do I Get Started?
Filing a successful claim for disability can be stressful, difficult, and downright overwhelming. If you are attempting to obtain disability insurance benefits under a policy offered by Ameritas, you should:
- Hire an attorney that has experience with disability insurance claims. You do not have to work with an attorney to file a claim, but assistance in the process may make the difference between an approval and a denial. Our familiarity and knowledge of Ameritas claims handling procedures can be invaluable. Mr. Ortiz has experience in reviewing Ameritas claim requirements, the reasons they deny claims, and the mistakes to avoid while filing a disability claim.
- Do not be intimidated! When your financial survival is on the line, you must not let yourself be intimidated by insurers and their claims representatives. Mr. Ortiz is a national disability insurance lawyer who has stood up to disability insurance companies time and time again, and has successfully recovered millions in benefits for his clients.
Ameritas / Union Central Contact Information
You can click here to contact Ameritas regarding disability insurance claims or claim denials, call the number below, or send written correspondence to the business by fax or mail using the information below:
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.
5900 O Street
P.O. Box 81889
Lincoln, NE 68501-1889
Phone: 800-745-1112
Fax: 402-467-7335
Ortiz Law Firm Provides Aggressive Representation to Disability Claimants
We understand how frustrating it can be to receive a disability claim denial, and we will fight for the benefits that you deserve. Mr. Ortiz is an experienced disability attorney who has recovered millions in benefits for his numerous clients. Whether your claim was denied from the initial application or you received a benefit cessation letter – which means their benefits are being “cut-off” or terminated, you should contact our office. We are experts in disability law, and the experience we have gained while helping past clients fight insurance companies such as Ameritas has given our team great insight into the best steps to take to improve your chances of recovering benefits.
Request a Free Consultation to Discuss Your Disability Claim
Contact Ortiz Law Firm online or call (866) 853-4512 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced disability attorney to discuss your claim and learn how our law firm can help you fight your Ameritas disability denial. You only have a limited amount of time to dispute a denial, so you should call for a consultation right away.
Do You Have Enough Coverage? Request a Free Policy Evaluation
If you are considering purchasing a disability insurance policy, have recently purchased a policy, or are considering enrolling in a group plan with your employer, we will help you understand what you are entitled to and whether there are deficiencies in your coverage that could lead to denied disability claims in the future.
It is easy for individual policyholders who are not trained to read insurance policies to misread or misunderstand the coverage of a disability policy. As part of our evaluation, we will explain what everything means to you in your situation.
Some of the aspects of your policy we will review include:
- Total versus residual disability;
- Own occupation versus any gainful occupation;
- Mental and nervous disability benefit limitations; and
- Self-reported conditions benefit limitations.
Fill out the form below to submit your request, and please allow 5 business days to receive your free Policy Evaluation Report.