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Ortiz Law Firm | National Disability Law Firm
Ortiz Law Firm is dedicated to helping people recover the disability benefits they deserve. We handle group Long Term Disability (LTD) claims, individual disability insurance policy claims, ERISA disability claims, and Social Security Disability claims.
Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, like many other disability insurers, frequently denies or terminates long-term disability (LTD) claims based upon “independent” physician reviews. These reviews play a significant role in the claims process and are often used to justify claim denials. Understanding how Reliance Standard conducts these …
Yes, volunteering can affect your long-term disability (LTD) insurance claim. Even unpaid work might suggest that you are capable of performing job-related tasks. This could jeopardize your benefits. Before volunteering, it’s important to understand the risks and speak with your doctor. How Insurance Companies View Volunteering When you’re …
Long COVID has left millions of people struggling with debilitating symptoms that disrupt every facet of their lives. Despite its recognized impact, disability insurance companies often attempt to deny claims by misclassifying the condition to trigger a mental or nervous limitation or citing a lack of objective diagnostic evidence. Claimants are …
If you’re unable to work because of an illness or injury, you may be eligible for more than one type of benefit. Two of the most common are long-term disability (LTD) insurance and workers’ compensation (WC). While it’s possible to get both, it’s important to understand how these benefits work together and how one can …
Being approved for short-term disability (STD) does not automatically mean you’ll be approved for long-term disability (LTD). While the two benefits are often linked, especially if they’re offered by the same insurance company, there are important differences in how they’re evaluated. Here’s what you need to know: 1. Separate Applications and …
When shopping for or reviewing disability insurance, one important clause to understand is the “pre-existing condition exclusion.” This clause can significantly impact your ability to collect benefits if your disability is related to a medical condition you had before your coverage began. But here’s the key distinction: while …
For many professionals, a disabling chronic illness brings more than just physical symptoms. It upends your career, your routines, and your sense of identity. You’ve spent years building your professional life, only to be sidelined by a medical condition that makes full-time work impossible. When you file a claim for long-term disability (LTD) …
When you’re filing a disability claim for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Long-Term Disability (LTD) a supportive statement from your treating physician can make all the difference. But what happens if your doctor is reluctant to get involved? It’s a common hurdle, and one that can often be overcome with the right approach and the …
If you’re receiving long-term disability (LTD) benefits from Unum, you may eventually receive a buyout offer, which is a lump sum payment in exchange for giving up future monthly benefits. It may seem like a good deal on the surface, but there’s a lot to consider before you say yes. What Is a Long-Term Disability …
If your long-term disability (LTD) claim has been denied by Sun Life, one of the most critical parts of the appeals process may involve an “independent” physician review. While this may sound like an objective second opinion, the process is often anything but neutral. In reality, these reviews can be a significant hurdle in securing …
In 2016, the Association of Americans Resident Overseas estimated that there were 8.7 million U.S. citizens were living abroad, and the Social Security Administration reported that more than half a million people living outside the United States receive some type of Social Security benefit, including Social Security Disability …
Many long term disability recipients remain “employed” with their employer, perhaps listed as an “inactive employee”. But let’s say there has not been a formal separation either by resignation or termination. Can one “quit” the job while receiving long term disability (LTD) benefits? Yes, you can quit your job while on LTD benefits, but it’s …
Many people assume that if their long-term disability (LTD) appeal is denied, they can simply take the insurance company to court and present all the evidence they didn’t get to include earlier. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works under the law that governs most group LTD policies: ERISA, which is short for the Employee Retirement …
When an insurance company approves a long-term disability (LTD) claim, many claimants assume that their benefits will continue indefinitely into the future. However, insurers are not required to approve benefits forever. Instead, they conduct periodic reviews to determine whether a claimant still meets the policy’s definition of disability. …
If your long-term disability (LTD) claim has been denied, there’s a good chance that a “peer review report” played a role in that decision. Understanding what these reports are and how they’re used can help you make sense of the denial letter you received and decide what to do next. What Is a Peer Review …
You’ve filed your long-term disability (LTD) appeal. You followed the instructions, submitted medical records, maybe even worked with your doctor or an attorney. Now comes the hardest part: waiting. You may be checking the mail or your inbox daily, wondering when the insurance company will respond. If it’s been several weeks, or even months, you’re …
When people think of disability, they often picture someone who can’t work at all. But when it comes to long-term disability insurance, the word “disability” can mean very different things depending entirely on how it’s defined in your policy. Understanding the exact definition of “disability” in your plan is critical. It’s the basis for whether …
Navigating the appeals process for mental health-related long-term disability (LTD) claims can be particularly challenging. Unlike physical conditions that can be documented with imaging and lab results, mental health disorders rely on more subjective assessments that insurers often undervalue or dismiss. Insurers may also use various tactics to …
When filing a long-term disability (LTD) appeal, many people ask: “How long will it take?” Unfortunately, the answer is “it depends.” There are two main phases to the appeal timeline: We’ll break down what happens in each phase and why the entire process can take several months or more. Phase 1: Preparing the Appeal Under …
When appealing a long-term disability (LTD) claim denial with New York Life, the employee reviewing your LTD claim may not be a medical professional, but they will likely consult with one. New York Life (NYL) will often ask an independent physician to re-evaluate a claimant’s medical condition and determine if it is consistent with the …
Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), refers to a range of symptoms that persist or develop long after the acute COVID-19 illness. Estimates suggest that between 5% and 30% of COVID-19 survivors develop long COVID, representing tens of millions of people worldwide. Now, clear patterns are emerging …
When appealing a long-term disability (LTD) claim denial with Lincoln Financial Group, claimants often encounter an independent physician review. Lincoln, like many other insurance companies, uses these independent reviews to re-evaluate a claimant’s medical condition and determine if it is consistent with the reported functional limitations. Here, …
Working at Google offers many rewards, but it also comes with high expectations and unique challenges. Google employees are expected to be innovative, adaptable, and consistently deliver top results in a fast-paced environment. Whether you’re a software engineer, a project manager, or part of Google’s extensive support teams, these …
When a disability insurance company ignores your long-term disability (LTD) appeal, it can be both frustrating and legally problematic. The appeals process is designed to give claimants a fair chance to challenge a denial, and insurance companies are legally obligated to respond to these appeals in a timely manner under most LTD policies and …