Reliance Standard Long-Term Disability Claims
Trusted by Clients Nationwide for Over 20 Years
A Reliance Standard long-term disability claim process can be tough. Reliance has its own in-house nurses review a claim. They initially decide whether or not you are disabled.
If they decide you are not disabled they will send a denial or termination letter. Our capable disability attorneys can tell you that it is not uncommon for this letter to be vague. The letter may simply state you do not meet the definition of disability under the policy.
If you, or someone you know, has received one of these letters from Reliance Standard, know that the required pre-suit appeal is crucial to your disability case. Reliance Standard often uses the appeal process to build up the record with evidence that goes against your disability claim.
Full & Fair Review
During the appeal review of a denial or termination of disability benefits, Reliance Standard may send you to an independent medical examination (IME) or a functional capacity evaluation (FCE).
This exam is done by a doctor that the disability insurance company hires and pays. The doctor will give an opinion on your abilities based on a one-time exam. It is not uncommon for Reliance Standard to conduct video surveillance a couple of days before and the day of these examinations.
Call (800) 969-0488if you are looking for a disability insurance law firm. We offer free consultations!
Reliance Standard does not provide the IME doctor’s report to you when you appeal a denial or termination of disability benefits. They do not give a copy until after the appeal has been denied. By doing this, Reliance Standard does not allow your treating doctors to respond to the report. Any part of the report that the treating doctor disagrees with is never put into the claim file. This is known as “sandbagging”.
Sandbagging has become such a major problem that the Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued changes to the ERISA rules that oversee disability claims. The changes address this very problem.
One of the changes includes requiring a disability insurance company such as Reliance Standard to provide new or additional evidence to the person before making a final decision. This change to the ERISA rules goes into effect on January 1, 2018.
Long-Term Disability & ERISA Attorneys
Was your Reliance Standard long-term disability claim denied or terminated? If so, contact our skilled long-term disability attorneys today to learn about your rights under the law.
Our long-term disability attorneys handle cases across the nation. We are aware of Reliance Standard’s claims tactics and can provide legal guidance during every step of the process.
Contact us at (800) 969-0488to schedule a consultation with our disability insurance attorneys.
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