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If your long-term disability (LTD) claim has been denied, you’re not alone—and you’re not without options. One of the most important steps you can take right now is to continue your medical treatment.
Consistent medical care plays a major role in building a successful appeal. In fact, it’s often one of the most important factors insurance companies look at when evaluating whether your condition truly prevents you from working.
Why Ongoing Treatment Matters
Your Medical Records Are the Backbone of Your Claim
Insurance companies want to see evidence that supports your disability. That evidence usually comes in the form of medical records—visit notes, test results, treatment plans, and follow-up reports. If you stop seeing your doctors, those records stop being created.
That gap gives insurers a chance to argue that your condition has improved or that it’s not serious enough to warrant ongoing care. We’ve seen cases where a claimant paused treatment because their condition seemed “stable” or they couldn’t afford more visits. The insurer used that gap to justify denying the claim, saying the lack of care meant the person could return to work.
Consistency Builds Credibility
Ongoing treatment helps paint a clear, consistent picture of your health over time. When you keep appointments and follow medical advice, it shows that:
- You take your health seriously
- Your condition is persistent
- You’re doing your part to recover
That consistency goes a long way in showing the insurance company—and potentially a judge—that your disability claim is valid and genuine.
Your Doctors Need Updated Records to Support You
Your treating doctors are key to the success of your claim. But they can only help if they’ve seen you recently and have up-to-date information on your symptoms and limitations.
Without regular visits, even a supportive doctor may not be able to provide the strong, detailed opinions needed to challenge a denial.
Gaps in Treatment Can Be Misinterpreted
There are often good reasons people pause treatment. Financial stress, transportation issues, or lack of access to specialists all come into play. But insurance companies may not see it that way unless it’s well-documented.
To insurers, a treatment gap might suggest:
- Your condition has improved
- You’re not making a good-faith effort to recover
- You’re no longer disabled
This is especially risky if your claim has already been denied and you’re trying to build a stronger case on appeal.
What If You Can’t Keep Up with Treatment?
If you’re struggling to afford or access medical care:
- Tell your doctor and have them document the reason
- Explore alternatives like telehealth, community clinics, or sliding-scale providers
- Document everything, even home treatments or canceled appointments
Even a short note from a physician explaining the situation can help maintain the strength of your claim.
Ongoing Treatment Strengthens Your Appeal
Appealing a denied LTD claim isn’t just about submitting more forms. It’s about building a strong and consistent medical story that proves:
- What your diagnosis is
- How it limits your ability to work
- What steps you’ve taken to treat or manage it
Ongoing treatment and through documentation of your symptoms and limitations is how you tell that story.
Stay Engaged in Your Care to Support Your Claim
We know long-term disability claims can feel overwhelming. But ongoing medical treatmeant helps protect both your well-being and your claim. If your long-term disability claim has been denied and you’re not sure what to do next, the Ortiz Law Firm is here to help. We represent claimants nationwide and focus on helping people fight back after an LTD denial.
