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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,151
Registered: ‎12-23-2015

when i got diognosed with ms back in 2002 my company had offered long term disability insurance and i signed up for it and out of my check payed for it for 12 years. now that im no longer working i collected it for 2 years and tthen i got throw off. they had told me when i started colecting it that as long as doctors say i cant work i can colect it until im 65.i apealed it with a lawyer and still just got turned down again. any thoughts on this subject.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,324
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

I am sorry but I am not following what you are saying

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,273
Registered: ‎06-19-2010

@Pooky1, it seems you're saying that Cigna didn't give you what you paid for after two years.  This isn't the first time I've heard this about those long term insurances.  They aren't the only company doing it.  They can't afford to support it without losing their profit.  Profit is their main concern, not the policy holders like us.  

 

If you can afford it, appeal again.  But it might be throwing good money after bad.  Sorry you're going through this.

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore to be happy”. (By Nightbirde, singer of the song, It’s Ok)
Honored Contributor
Posts: 37,305
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@Pooky1

What I'd like to know (if this is the case) is since when is a contract not a contract anymore?

~Have a Kind Heart, Fierce Mind, Brave Spirit~
Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,144
Registered: ‎11-21-2011

Usually if you are on long term for a while they do the work to transition you to SS disability. Are they doing that?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,892
Registered: ‎07-03-2013

The company I work for has a limit on long term disability.  If you are off for 12 straight months, you are terminated along with your insurance.  I think they may have been referring to SS until you are 65.  What does the lawyer say?

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,539
Registered: ‎03-15-2010

@Pooky1

Go back and read the contract carefully, MOST long term care dis can be used applied to an employee up to 65 years old.

HOWEVER they only pay for 1 to 2 years.  Longterm disability does not pay forever after.  This is a common misunderstanding.  LTD pays longer than SHORT term.

 

You can pay the annual premium for 20 years and at age 30 or 45 or 60 if you need it you can collect 1 year (most policies or 2 years some policies).

Super Contributor
Posts: 475
Registered: ‎10-05-2011

@Pooky1 wrote:

when i got diognosed with ms back in 2002 my company had offered long term disability insurance and i signed up for it and out of my check payed for it for 12 years. now that im no longer working i collected it for 2 years and tthen i got throw off. they had told me when i started colecting it that as long as doctors say i cant work i can colect it until im 65.i apealed it with a lawyer and still just got turned down again. any thoughts on this subject.


@Pooky1. . . .     I am obviously unfamiliar with your LTD policy, but I, too, am collecting a LTD at this time, although not through CIGNA. My diagnoses are fibromyalgia along with bilateral lower extremity chronic radiculopathy and dominate side upper extremity chronic radiculopathy. The radiculopathies stem from nerve damage caused by spinal issues.

 

I began collecting LTD in 2010 and will continue to recieve it until my 65th birthday. I am presently 60 yrs. old. I also receive Social Security Disability. The amount of my LTD is reduced by the amount of my SSD. In other words, my LTD guarantees that I will receive a total of two thirds of my gross salary (at the time I became disabled) until I reach the age of 65. They subtract the amount of my monthly SSD from my monthly gross salary, and that is the amount of my LTD benefit.

 

Are you receiving SSD? Could that have cancelled out the amount of your LTD? Also, every 12 - 18 months or so, my LTD provider does a review of my case to determine if I am still unable to perform "any gainful employment". It doesn't have to be my previous job. Could this be what happened? 

 

Is is there anyone in HR at your former employer who could assist you, at least with understanding you LTD policy?  I have often used that resource even years after my disability began.

 

Good luck to you. Believe me, I know how meaningful that LTD can be when you've lost your ability to work.

 

Hugs. . .

Life is tough, but I am tougher!!
Valued Contributor
Posts: 772
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

I don't know what state you live in but call your states Attorney Generals office and ask them for advice on what to do ,

cathy from ma

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,008
Registered: ‎07-26-2014

@Pooky1

"they had told me when i started colecting it that as long as doctors say i cant work i can colect it until im 65."

 

If that "comment" is NOT in your contract, I see why you lost the appeal.  "Verbal" statements do not stand up in court.  It MUST be in writing.  Now if they told you that over the phone & you have a "recording" of same, then you may have had a chance at your appeal.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."


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