Discrimination in health care impacts health outcomes. Research shows that one quarter of LGBTQ people who faced discrimination postponed or avoided receiving needed medical care for fear of further discrimination. In 2019, the Movement Advancement Project...
What should I do if my disability insurance provider denied my claim?
Insurance is supposed to provide a safety net, a helping hand when we are need. We may get coverage from our employer or with an independent policy but in either case we expect the disability insurance company to actually provide coverage when we have a claim....
Own occupation vs. any occupation in LTD benefit plans
If you are seeking long-term disability (LTD) benefits from an employer-provided plan, you may encounter the terms "own occupation" and "any occupation" in the course of your legal efforts. The meaning of these terms and the specific language in your plan could...
Public Employees And ERISA
ERISA – the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 – regulates most employee group benefits. But there are exceptions. The biggest exception is that public employer plans are not subject to ERISA. So, if you are a public employee, your group benefit plan...
What if my long-term disability pay is denied?
When you have put years of hard work in for your employer, you expect to not face problems when you need to use your long-term disability coverage. You signed up for your workplace long-term disability insurance a long time ago and have paid your share of the premium....
Appealing denied accidental death and dismemberment claims
If you suffer a serious injury, or a loved one dies because of a tragic accident, you may feel overwhelmed by what happened. At some point, you realize that long ago, you or your loved one signed up for accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage at work....
Considerations when litigating your disability claim
It can be devastating to be denied disability benefits that you have received through your employer and that you desperately need. Maybe you have decided to hire an attorney and bring a claim against your insurance company for ERISA violations. ERISA suits can be more...
Are there exemptions to ERISA?
ERISA protects individuals who partake in employer-sponsored benefit plans and their beneficiaries. Requirements for ERISA law include distributing accurate information and standards of conduct for plan managers. It offers broad protections for most workers but not...
How long can a determination on a disability claim take?
When you are struggling physically or mentally with a debilitating condition that is preventing you from working, waiting for a decision on a disability claim can be frustrating and stressful. It can also put terrible financial strain on any family, especially if you...
4 steps to appeal an ERISA claim denial or termination
ERISA stands for the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The simplest way to understand ERISA is that it establishes minimum standards for most employer-provided retirement (pension plans), health, and other welfare benefit plans, including life...