Disability insurance companies don’t always make it easy for policyholders who have depression to get the disability benefits they deserve.
The Common Reasons Disability Carriers Deny Depression Disability Claims
Many claims are denied because the disability insurance company says:
(1) There is no objective basis of the depression diagnosis,
(2) There is no objective basis for the restrictions and limitations assigned by your physician, or
(3) There is no causal relationship between your depression and/or your restrictions and limitations, and your inability to do your own or any occupation.
Worse, many disability insurance policies define depression as a mental nervous condition, which generally limits benefits to 24 months maximum. If the policy is silent on the issue, carriers will attempt to apply the mental nervous limitation.
Nancy Cavey, who has 35 years experience handling disability cases, has successfully represented many policyholders with depression. She works closely with you, your family and your physician to overcome a claims denial or the termination of benefits after 24 months of payments.
Nancy Cavey offers a free initial consultation and welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your disability claim.
What Is Depression?
Depression, a mood disorder, causes a persistent sense of sadness and loss of interest in life. It can affect how you feel about yourself and others, how you think and even how you behave. It is not uncommon to see depression in those who have pain.
What Are The Symptoms of Depression?
People who are depressed may have:
- Feelings of sadness, emptiness or unhappiness,
- Feelings of guilt and worthlessness,
- Loss of interest in daily activities,
- Loss of pleasure in daily activities,
- Frustration, irritability and difficulty controlling anger,
- Sleep disturbances,
- Lack of energy,
- Changes in appetite,
- Difficulty concentrating, thinking, remembering things or making decisions,
- Anxiety, and
- Frequent thoughts of suicide or death.
How Do I Get The Disability Insurance Benefits I Deserve?
Depression can make it difficult, if not impossible, to do things around your home and work. If you no longer can work or your doctor has told you to apply for disability, before you apply for benefits, you should:
- Obtain a copy of your disability policy. See how it defines “disability,” “occupation” and “self-reported conditions.” You’ll need to understand what you have to prove to get your benefits because of depression.
Your policy might include a mental nervous limitation that classifies depression as a mental disorder, or the policy could be silent on the issue. Find out what’s in your policy before you apply for benefits.
- Obtain a copy of your medical records. Review them to see if there is an objective basis for your diagnosis, what your records say about your report of symptoms and your restrictions and limitations. Make sure your physician has done psychological testing.
- Obtain a copy of your personnel file to see whether your depression has affected your work performance.
- Obtain a copy of your job description. Create your own description of your physical duties with an explanation of how your symptoms impact your ability to do your occupation. Be sure to explain how your symptoms impacted your professional relationships and your ability to get along with others at work.
- Provide your doctor with the occupational description. Ask your doctor to prepare a report that explains the objective basis for your diagnosis, the objective basis of your restrictions and limitations, and the objective reasons you can’t perform some or all of the material and substantial duties of your occupation.
- Prepare a diary that explains your depression symptoms and the side effects of medication you are taking. Be sure to give examples of how your symptoms interfere with your ability to do things on a daily basis.
- Hire Nancy Cavey to help you file your initial application. The application process is confusing and designed so you and your physician make mistakes that can result in a delay or even a denial of your benefits. Ms. Cavey knows how to prepare and file a winning shock and awe disability application that leaves the carrier little reason to question your claim.
- Hire Nancy Cavey to help you appeal a wrongful denial or termination of your disability benefits. Disability carriers are in the business of collecting premiums and not paying disability benefits for depression. They’ll use any reason to deny your claim. The odds of getting your benefits on appeal are greater when you are represented by an experienced ERISA/private ID policy disability attorney.
Contact Disability Attorney Nancy L. Cavey, Who Can Help You Regardless of Where You Live
Depression can make it difficult, if not impossible, to work. You owe it to yourself and your family to get help today! Nancy Cavey can review your policy and your medical records, and explain to you what your policy says and how to get your disability benefits. Call today for a free consultation at 727-894-3188.