Note how many hours per week you must be working to be covered for benefits, and whether you must be totally or partially disabled to be eligible. If you reduce your work hours due to illness, be sure to document the date you left full-time employment and obtain a letter from your doctor clarifying that the reduction in your hours was for medical reasons. Throughout your claim, be prepared to provide ongoing documentation of all signs and symptoms that support your diagnosis and your inability to work. Your doctor may be asked to submit additional information, including office notes and written reports. Be aware of two-year limitations.
Many policies contain two-year limitations for mental illness and nervous conditions.
Your insurer may look for reasons to classify you as mentally ill in order to limit your benefits. These new limitations do not apply to existing claims filed under policies written before the new language was adopted. Review this file frequently to catch and clarify any details you may have missed, and note patterns of delays or denials. You are also legally entitled to copies of everything your insurer has in your file, including internal memos, reports from independent medical examinations required by the insurer and any surveillance videos your insurer has ordered from private investigators. Consult an attorney or your state insurance commissioner if you are denied access to this information.