has anyone had any dealings with disability insurance?

[dentalrebel]

I have a disability policy with Mass Mutual and they are saying that they can't determine that I'm disabled?! I can't sit because I can't stand the pain and it's not possible for me to perform dentistry standing for all procedures. Unbelievable. I've paid these premiums all these years and now I get nothing.

[KBear]

I have a disability policy with Mass Mutual and they are saying that they can't determine that I'm disabled?! I can't sit because I can't stand the pain and it's not possible for me to perform dentistry standing for all procedures. Unbelievable. I've paid these premiums all these years and now I get nothing.

I don't know about disability insurance, but I know it's next to impossible to get disability. I fought for it for years and even had a vocational expert (that they paid for) say that I couldn't get gainful employment with my issues and was still denied. It is unreal what crooks all of these companies are. I'm told the younger you are, the harder it is to get.

[laid up doc]

DI carriers are a bunch of crooks. they will only insure people with what THEY deem to be a clean history for THEIR concerns, then deny the **** out of all kinds of legit claims. that's how they make their $$$.... very conservative w/ underwriting and unless your policy was very, very specific on your profession, then they'll deny you're disabled.

i know for physicians the best policy to get is specialty specific - ie if you're an interventional cardiologist and can't do caths, then you'd get paid for your decrease in pay if you say, have a bad cervical spine and can't wear the lead/use one hand well. those are only individual policies - group policies are the easiest to get but hardest from which to get payouts.

[WPKat]

I have a disability policy with Mass Mutual and they are saying that they can't determine that I'm disabled?! I can't sit because I can't stand the pain and it's not possible for me to perform dentistry standing for all procedures. Unbelievable. I've paid these premiums all these years and now I get nothing.

I applied for long term disability benefits with a company that I paid premiums to for 5 years, "The Standard." I was approved the first time around. I had to complete a rather lengthly application, supply a pretty detailed history of doctor visits, procedures, surgeries, etc., sign authorizations to allow them to obtain copies of all my medical records as well as have my pain specialist complete a form that confirmed my level of disability.

After several months, they applied for Social Security Disability for me. I was approved for Social Security Disability the first around as well. It was to the disability company's benefit to apply for me, however, because they deduct the benefits I receive from SSD from what they pay me. They used a company called "Allsup" that specializes in applying for social security disability (a service they offer to anyone), but you can also apply for SSD online yourself.

Allsup
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) | Disability Appeal

Social Security Disability
Apply Online for Disability Benefits

I would "not take no for an answer" from your long term disability company. Review their contract and complete their application again, including every detail regarding your current condition, supply a detail medical history, obtain a letter from your doctor regarding your level of disability, obtain copies of your medical records that apply to your disability ... and file it again.

In the meantime, apply for social security disability. They require pretty much the same information that I supplied to my long term disability insurance company.

Don't give up on it!

Good Luck!

K