The short answer is yes. Mental health issues and conditions are just as disabling as physical ones. Therefore, most policies pay (or at least should approve and pay) benefits for anxiety as well as other mental health conditions.
However, disability claims for anxiety are often denied because they lack sufficient evidence of the severity and frequency of your symptoms. Specifically, you must demonstrate how and to what extent your anxiety and related symptoms result in restrictions and limitations that prevent you from working. Many policies also require proof that you are actively engaged in treatment and receiving a proper standard of care from an appropriate mental health specialist – and not just from your primary care physician or family doctor.
In addition, nearly all policies have a limitation on benefits due to, caused by, or contributed to by a mental health condition such as anxiety. While most policies pay benefits up through retirement age for physical disabilities, benefits for anxiety and other mental health conditions are usually limited to only 24 or 36 months.
On a regular basis, insurance companies misapply the mental health limitation to wrongly deny and prematurely terminate disability claims. However, an experienced attorney may be able to help demonstrate that a claimant is also – and oftentimes independently – disabled due to cognitive or physical problems that will entitle them to benefits beyond the limitation period.
Anxiety disorders and other mental health diagnoses are serious conditions that frequently result in disability. Understanding your policy and knowing how to satisfy the proof of loss provisions will significantly improve your chances of being approved for disability benefits. That is why we strongly recommend speaking with an experienced long-term disability attorney who can help you with:
- Submitting a disability insurance claim,
- Making sure the insurance company meets their deadlines;
- Appealing a long-term disability denial,
- Managing your ongoing claim;
- Negotiating a lump-sum settlement, or
- Filing a lawsuit against your disability insurance company.
Call for a free consultation with a disability attorney. No fees or costs until you get paid.
