Common Mistakes When Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim

If you have a long-term care claim through the coverage provided to you by your employer, or that you pay for yourself, its resolution will play an important role in your ability to maintain a comfortable life with the support you need. The truth, however, is that many claims are denied, and avoiding the common mistakes that many claimants make can help you avoid this disappointing outcome. One of the smartest moves you can make in the face of a long-term care insurance claim is working closely with an experienced long-term care insurance attorney from the start. 

Mistake 1: Not Giving Yourself a Chance

Long-term care insurance is a perk that many employers offer and that you hope you never need. If you – or your loved one – does, however, need to file a claim, it can afford you considerable security. The problem is that the companies that provide this coverage make the claims process as complicated as it can possibly be – just when claimants are about as stressed as they’ve ever been. 

In other words, they’re hoping to trip claimants up, and too often, they’re successful. When you have a savvy long-term care insurance attorney on your side, you can count on them to attend to all the challenging details while ably handling complications as they arise. 

Mistake 2: Not Understanding the Contract Itself

Do you have a valid claim, or don’t you? The contract itself may be so garbled with legalese that you can’t begin to understand. Further, the requirements that apply to the policy – which are overseen by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) if it’s provided by your employer – may have changed since the policy was written, which can require considerable legal know-how to interpret. The best means of determining the strength of your claim is consulting with a practiced long-term care insurance attorney. 

Mistake 3: Failing to Include Adequate Documentation

Disability claims hinge on documentation, and one of the most important elements of this is medical documentation. A brief note about your long-term care needs that your doctor scribbled in haste isn’t going to do you much good. Instead, you need clear documentation, which generally includes:

• Report forms and questionnaires supplied by the insurance companies that are meticulously filled out and go into considerable detail
• Your related medical reports
• A timeline of your disability
• Your medical testing results
• Ongoing reporting regarding your condition
• Documentation regarding your needs in relation to the activities of daily living

Your attorney will help you gather all the relevant documentation and compile it into a tight claim that the insurance provider will have a difficult time refuting. 

It’s Time to Consult with an Experienced Long-Term Care Insurance Claim Attorney

Facing the need for long-term care reflects a difficult transition in your life that comes with many challenges. The distinguished long-term care insurance claims attorneys at Monahan Tucker Law are committed to leaving no stone unturned in their focused pursuit of your claim’s best possible resolution – in support of the long-term care to which you’re entitled. Our knowledgeable legal team cares about you and your claim, so please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us for more information about what we can do to help you today.