The Challenges Analysts Face When Filing for Long-Term Disability

An analyst collects, stores, and analyzes data, including sales numbers, market research, logistics, linguistics, or other behaviors. Analysts use technical expertise to ensure the quality and accuracy of the data. Analysts then process, design, and present data to help clients/customers, colleagues, companies, and organizations make better decisions.

In this article, we will explore the following:

• Why it’s so difficult to file a long-term disability claim as an analyst.
• How to create a winning claim.

Why Is It Difficult to File LTD for an Analyst

Analysts have many duties and responsibilities. Here is a short list of just some of the duties and responsibilities of an analyst:

• Managing master data, including creating, updating, and deleting data;
• Manage users and user roles;
• Providing quality assurance for imported data, working with quality assurance analysts as needed;
• Commissioning and decommissioning datasets;
• Handling confidential data and information in accordance with policies;
• Assist in the development of reports and analyses;
• Manage and design the reporting environment, including data sources, security, and metadata;
• Support the data warehouse in identifying and reviewing reporting requirements;
• Support data integrity and normalization initiatives;
• Evaluate testing and implementation of new or upgraded software and assist with strategic decisions regarding new systems;
• Generate reports from single or multiple systems;
• Troubleshoot the reporting database environment and reports;
• Evaluate changes and updates to source production systems;
• Training end users on new reports and dashboards; and
• Provide technical expertise on data storage structures, mining, and cleansing.

Depending on the organization, sample analyst requirements and qualifications may include:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in computer science;
• Work experience as a data analyst or in a related field;
• Ability to work with stakeholders to assess potential risks;
• Ability to analyze existing tools and databases and make recommendations for software solutions;
• Ability to translate business requirements into non-technical, lay terms;
• High-level experience with methodologies and processes for managing large databases;
• Demonstrated experience with large data sets and relational databases;
• Understanding of addressing and metadata standards; and
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Similar job titles include:

In short, here is a list of the top 10 skills an analyst may need in their job:

1. Complex problem solving;
2. Critical thinking;
3. Managing people;
4. Coordinating with others;
5. Judgment and decision making;
6. Cognitive flexibility;
7. Understanding goals;
8. Good verbal communication skills;
9. Being a good listener; and
10. Excellent time management skills.

Analysts are well compensated for the high level of skill required to do their jobs. If an analyst becomes disabled and applies for long-term disability claim, they will have a hard time getting approved.

Why is that? Because the insurance company looks at the case from a financial standpoint. The insurance company looks at how much money it will cost the company to provide benefits to an analyst throughout the duration of the illness or disability. The longer it may take for the analyst to return to work, the more scrutiny the analyst will face in the claims process.

Tips for a Successful Claim

Tip #1: Gather Strong Medical Evidence

Medical records are the foundation of any long-term disability claim. Gather all the medical evidence from your doctors who are treating your disability. Make sure that your doctors note your pain levels and cognitive difficulties in your medical records. This is not always common practice, but you will need detailed documentation for your claim.

For example, let’s say a claimant has a significant back injury (such as a herniated disc), and can’t sit, stand, or even walk for very long. The most comfortable position is for the claimant to lie down for 50% of the day to relieve the pain. A job rarely accommodates the need to lie down for half of the day. Therefore, the claimant must ensure that there is good “objective medical evidence” to support the subjective complaints of pain. Objective evidence may include MRIs, X-rays, etc.

Tip #2: Anticipate Surveillance

A large monetary claim – such as one for an analyst – will likely require video surveillance. Surveillance is perfectly legal. During the surveillance period, a private investigator will stake out the claimant’s home, talk to nearby neighbors about the claimant’s daily activities, and then try to use this information against the claimant in the administrative decision (or in court). For this reason, it is important not to rush back into exercise routines or anything very strenuous for the body during the claim period.

Tip #3: Stay Off Social Media

There is also a high probability that social media accounts will be monitored. As a busy analyst executive, you probably do not have much time to spend on social media. However, when you are at home with nothing to do but rest, you may be tempted to create an account on a social media platform such as Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, Instagram, or Snapchat. We recommend that you stay off social media during the claim period. The insurance investigator will try to use posts on social media accounts to deny your claim.

Tip #4: Don’t Try to Return to Work Too Quickly

The time spent recovering from a disability can be monotonous and unproductive for an analyst. Going from a very active schedule to weeks (and perhaps months or even years) of rest can feel like a prison sentence. Analysts must resist the urge to return to work too soon. If an analyst pushes himself back into work before their body is physically and mentally ready, he is in danger of making a mistake that could cause more harm.

Tip #5: Don’t Forget Cognitive Problems

Individuals suffer from “cognitive impairment” when their ability to think and process information is reduced (for any reason). Examples include when the individual struggles with basic cognitive functions, such as memory processing, perception, problem solving, and language. Symptoms of cognitive impairment can vary greatly from person to person, but common symptoms include short- and long-term memory loss; difficulty with planning, organizing, and solving problems; confusion; an inability to cope with stress; problems with time management; and difficulty managing, influencing, and communicating with others. Cognitive impairment can even have physical manifestations, such as poor motor coordination.

Cognitive impairment can result from several serious and disabling medical conditions, such as delirium, dementia, amnesia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or ‎Huntington’s disease. Cognitive impairment can also occur as a result of other medical problems/diagnoses, including a stroke, heart disease, brain injury, major depression, an anxiety disorder, insomnia, high blood pressure, chronic migraines, lupus, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and fibromyalgia.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of causes. There may be other diagnoses that cause cognitive problems.

While the language of each disability policy is different, you are generally entitled to disability insurance benefits if you are unable to perform the material and substantial duties of your own occupation or any gainful occupation for which you are qualified by education, training, and experience.

It seems obvious that when an analyst suffering from cognitive impairment, whatever the cause, they would have difficulty performing the material and substantial duties of an analyst. However, insurance companies do not always pay benefits, even when their liability seems obvious. Too often, the attorneys at the Ortiz Law Firm have seen insurance companies/ERISA administrators claim that an insured has the “functional capacity” to return to work even when they are suffering from conditions such as cognitive impairment.

An insurance company may require the claimant to undergo an “independent” neuropsychological evaluation. Remember, a medical professional hand-picked by the insurance company conducts this exam, and the insurance company foots the bill. As you can well imagine, the paid neurophysiologist often produces a biased report concluding that the claimant has the residual capacity to return to work, regardless of the limiting cognitive impairments from which they suffer.

The Ortiz Law Firm has extensive experience assisting claimants in this situation and has successfully convinced insurance companies to reverse their denial decisions, even when the results of an unfavorable neuropsychological examination initially supported that decision.

Get Help with Your Long-Term Disability Claim

Analysts will find it challenging to get a long-term disability claim approved. The insurance company will look for virtually any reason to deny the claim. By providing strong medical evidence, keeping a low profile, and not rushing back to work too soon, an analyst can create a solid case for disability.

Using an experienced disability attorney will help you protect yourself against insurance investigators. The Ortiz Law Firm is based in Florida, but represents claimants nationwide. Call (888) 321-8131 for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can help you evaluate your claim to determine if you are eligible for long-term disability benefits and how to proceed.