Getting a disability insurance policy from Cigna can offer workers the ability to protect themselves financially if they are temporarily or permanently disabled and unable to return to their jobs. It can be very disconcerting when you file a claim for your disability benefits only to be denied by Cigna. The experience of The Law Office of Andrew Reichardt is available to help you to appeal your denial of benefits from Cigna.
BACKGROUND ON CIGNA
A global health company, Cigna is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and employs around 40,000 people. The company was formed in 1982 from the merger of INA Corporation and Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. Cigna offers health plans that include disability insurance, medical insurance, dental insurance and behavioral health care products.
DISABILITY INSURANCE FROM CIGNA
Cigna offers short- and long-term disability products to employees through group plans. Short-term disability policies through Cigna offer workers a percentage of their income for a limited duration after their disabling conditions have forced them to miss the elimination period time. Long-term disability benefits are offered to employees who have the policies and who are disabled for long periods. These benefits also replace a percentage of the workers’ incomes while they are unable to return to work. Some employees purchase both types of policies from Cigna. This allows them to go for a shorter period without pay than they might otherwise.
APPEALING A DENIAL FROM CIGNA
If Cigna decides to deny your benefits claim, you will be notified by mail. Your denial notice will tell you why the company denied your claim and how you can appeal its decision. There will be a deadline in your letter by which you must file your appeal. If you miss it, you will not be able to try to recover your benefits from Cigna in the future.
If you are denied, you might benefit by getting legal help from the experience of The Law Office of Andrew Reichardt. Ask for a copy of your claim file from Cigna. The file will include the evidence that Cigna used as reasons for denying your claim. Bring your file copy and your letter into our office for your appointment.
After reviewing the information, you may be advised to do several things. We will want to help you to add evidence that is favorable to your file. When you add more evidence to your claim file, it will be more likely that you will be successful with your appeal. For this reason, we may tell you to submit to additional evaluations and medical exams. We may also want you to get more objective tests such as MRIs, lab tests or x-rays. Finally, we may ask you to get written statements from your doctor about the limitations that your condition has on your ability to perform the daily tasks of your life as well as your ability to work.
If the company denies your appeal, we may then file a lawsuit against Cigna in court. Contact The Law Office of Andrew Reichardt today to schedule your consultation.