02 November

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The Seven Things Long-Term Disability Policy Holders Should Do

Nancy Cavey, Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties disability insurance company lawyer, suggests that longer-term disability applicants call and: (1) get a copy of their policy; (2) read the policy and the directions for filing their claim and follow every step; (3) make a copy of everything you send to the disability carrier; (4) send everything to the long-term disability carrier with return receipt request to prove that you sent the material; (5) if you speak with the adjuster, which Nancy Cavey does not suggest you do, document every telephone conversation; (6) if you have a high monthly benefit policy, be prepared for surveillance. The disability insurance company...

02 November

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No. 10 – Can I refuse to attend a neuropsychological exam at a long-term disability carrier?

Posted by Nancy Cavey

in Long Term Disability

If a long-term disability carrier is scheduling you for a neuropsychological exam, I strongly suggest that you contact an attorney like Nancy Cavey immediately! Nancy Cavey is familiar with the neuropsychologists routinely used by long-term disability carriers. We won't ever refuse an exam, but there are a number of things that can be done to protect your interests. These include: (1) obtaining your own neuropsychological exam before attending the long-term disability carrier's neuropsychological exam; (2) videotaping the independent medical examination; (3) limit the carrier's neuropsychological review to the raw data of your examination. To discuss this, and any other issues you have with your long-term...

02 November

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Dental disability insurance is essential.

Posted by Nancy Cavey

in Uncategorized

If you become disabled and are unable to work, dental disability insurance is essential to help you maintain your current practice. According to a recent survey, nearly half of one million people who filed for bankruptcy in the United States did so because of an illness or an injury. If you're involved in a car accident, suffered a sports injury, or have any other painful condition, you may be unable to continue your practice and be forced to close or even sell your practice. It's essential that you find a disability plan that meets your occupational needs. Determining which policy is...

02 November

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Shopping for a physician and dental disability insurance.

Posted by Nancy Cavey

in Long Term Disability

Physicians and dental disability insurance can help protect medical providers and their families in the case of injuries or unexpected circumstances. You and your family rely on your paycheck to pay bills, feed and clothe your family, and to provide a home and a lifestyle that have come to expect. There are a number of things that you should consider before choosing a disability insurance policy. At Cavey & Barrett, we recommend that physicians and dentists purchase private disability insurance policies instead of a policy through a group plan. You should consider the following: 1. Quality. This disability plan will be the...

02 November

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Three things that claimants must do before filing a disability claim.

Posted by Nancy Cavey

in Long Term Disability

It is crucial that any long-term disability policyholder who is about to file a claim for immediate disability benefits do the following: 1. Get a copy of the original policy. 2. a. Read the policy so that you understand whether or not your disabling condition is, in fact, covered under the terms of the policy and for how long benefits will be paid. You also need to understand whether there will be any reduction from your disability benefits for income such as Workers' Compensation, Social Security, or even 401K deductions. 2. b. You should also read the policy for the directions required for...

02 November

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Policy provisions.

Posted by Nancy Cavey

in Long Term Disability

Each long-term disability policy is different. Unfortunately, there is no uniform long-term disability policy in the United States. Each policy has different provisions. You should understand what the definition of disability is under your long-term disability policy, what conditions are excluded, when you have to file a claim, how much you are entitled to in benefits, whether or not there are offsets or reductions against benefits, and how long the claim process takes. Group disability coverage is designed to limit coverage and benefits. That's why long-term disability policies cost significantly less than a quality individual private disability insurance policy. Answering these broad-based...

02 November

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ERISA

Posted by Nancy Cavey

in Long Term Disability

ERISA stands for "Employer Retirement Income Security Act." It was passed in 1974 for the purpose of protecting employee benefits for group plan participants. Unfortunately, disability insurance policies are subject to the ERISA regulations, which long-term disability carriers refer to as "Everything Ridiculous in the World Since Adam." ERISA, which is a federal statute, pre-empts state law. That means that there are no state law causes of action, including bad-faith claims handling. I am sure that your HR manager thought that having a group LTD policy would be a great benefit to the employees and is part of a benefits package that...

02 November

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What every medical professional should look for in a disability insurance policy.

Posted by Nancy Cavey

in Long Term Disability

For medical providers just out of school, buying a disability insurance policy probably ranks last on their list of things to do. After all, you have just finished your training. You're young and healthy. What are the odds that you're going to become disabled? You may not think that a broken arm, a problem pregnancy, or a car accident may be disabling, but anyone of them could keep you out of work. According to the Health Insurance Association of America, over 30 percent of Americans ages 35 to 65 will suffer a disability that lasts at least 90 days sometime during...

02 November

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I don’t need disability insurance. I have it through my employer!

Posted by Nancy Cavey

in Long Term Disability

Many people insist that they don't need disability coverage because they have it through work. However, you should understand that most company issued group disability insurance only provides you with 60 percent of your salary, with a monthly maximum limit of $5,000 to $10,000. That can be less than 60 percent of your salary. These benefits are also fully taxable, which means that you get significantly less than 60 percent of what you're used to. Can you and your family survive on 40 percent of your salary? Most group disability insurance policies will also have a provision that will reduce your disability benefits...

02 November

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Shopping for a policy.

Posted by Nancy Cavey

in Long Term Disability

There are six disability insurance companies in the United States, and you can check their ratings at Moodys.com Standard & Poors.com or Ambest.com; however, company strength is not the only criteria. One of the most important criteria is the claims payment and claims denial rate of the long-term disability insurance company. You may have the most financially secure disability insurance company, but one which has the worst record in claims payment. Answering these broad-based questions isn't easy. Help is a phone call away. You can contact Nancy Cavey, an experienced long-term disability attorney at 727-894-3188. ...

Author: Nancy Cavey