What Delays Most Long-Term Disability Claims, and How Can You Avoid Them?

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, more than 32 percent of adults report living with a disability. This is significantly above the national rate of 25.6 percent. Residents often depend on long‑term disability insurance during extended health crises. 

Many Baton Rouge workers at major employers, ranging from ExxonMobil to LSU medical staff, rely on ERISA policies. 

Yet across Louisiana generally, approximately 68 percent of long‑term disability claims are initially denied, creating serious setbacks for individuals and families.

That makes it critical for Baton Rouge residents to understand what the causes of long-term disability claim delays are and how to avoid them. Common pitfalls can lead to frustrating delays or denials, from incomplete medical documentation to administrative errors. 

Whether insured through a private carrier or an employer-sponsored plan, claimants stand a better chance with a knowledgeable advocate by their side. 

That’s where professionals like J. Price McNamara long-term disability lawyer, can make all the difference. Let’s explore the key causes of delay and what you can do to improve your chances of timely approval.

Disability Claim Delay: What Are The Possible Reasons?

It is important to know the causes of disability claim delay, so that you do not make the common mistakes people make. It is a crucial time, and keeping things in order can actually help the process.

1. Incomplete Documentation

One of the main reasons for claim delays is the lack of documentation. Insurance companies want a complete record of your medical history, job, and other documents. Sometimes, information may be missing or insufficient to continue, so insurance companies deny claims.

We avoid this by preparing all the documents before we go to claim. We should have objective and understandable medical records documenting the medical condition and how it affects daily life. It also helps bring in healthcare providers to prepare detailed reports.

2. Miscommunication With Healthcare Providers

Such communication gaps between claimants and their medical professionals complicate the process. For insurers, detailed medical opinions are often needed to determine whether a claim is valid. 

Healthcare providers’ failure to realize the essentiality of timely and complete information may lead them to delay care unintentionally.

Flexible dialogue between doctors and specialists is an easy way to avoid this. Feel free to clarify their feedback and encourage responses to insurance questions. Consistently following up can cover any required information in time.

3. Failure To Meet Deadlines

Failing to meet deadlines could hold up claims for a long time. Insurance companies often have tight deadlines to submit paperwork and responsive pleadings. Not following these can delay processing or the denial of your claim.

Keep track of all important dates and deadlines. You can tackle these by setting reminders and a timeline. But nothing prevents the insured party, potentially well in advance of the deadline, from calling the insurance company to ask for an extension if one is necessary.

4. Insufficient Evidence Of Disability

Insurers need evidence that someone is disabled before a claim is paid. If the evidence presented is insufficient or unclear, it can lead to prolonged assessment. 

This can include proof of a disability and medical record documentation related to the nature of the disability. It must also explain how the impaired area of functioning affects a person at work and in daily life.

Support your claims by collecting complete evidence. This could be in the form of extensive medical reports, statements from the claimant, and maybe even statements from other witnesses. 

The more information you can provide, the more clearly defined the picture is for the insurance company.

5. Complex Policy Terms

Policy terms are inherently difficult to understand. For others, delays come from a misunderstanding of coverage or eligibility requirements. Problems with the application process can arise from unfamiliarity with particular conditions and criteria.

Review policy documents carefully. If there are any terms that you do not understand, ask an insurance association or a lawyer for an explanation. A clear understanding of the policy would eliminate mistakes and delays later.

6. Inaccurate Or Incomplete Application Forms

Another reason behind disability claim delay is incomplete application forms. Having errors in application forms can result in significant delays. Even a minor error or omission can trigger a hold on a claim for further review. That delays evaluation and the time to benefit.

Before submitting any form, check that all the details are correct. However, a professional and the insurer’s resources should help reduce errors.

7. Failure To Provide Work History Information

When you are applying for disability benefits, the insurance company will review your work history to determine if you meet the requirements for disability benefits. 

This includes reviewing the earning history as well to figure out whether you have done enough work to get the benefits. 

If you cannot provide accurate information about your work history, it can cause not only delays but also the denial of your disability claims. Moreover, make sure that all the information about employers is accurate and updated.

8. Lack Of Legal Guidance

If your lawyers or attorneys lack expertise, you may face a confusing path to making claims. Most people do not know their rights or what they should do next if their claim has been pending for too long. Not having guidance leads to long waiting times.

You may want to speak to an attorney who specializes in disability claims. They can offer beneficial information and help manage the application process. 

They will help decipher the complex terminology and ensure all the boxes are checked and all the requirements are satisfied.

Get Help To Make The Process Fast

Long-term disability claims are fraught with needless delay, much of which could be avoided with thoughtful preparation and proactive management. 

While the process can occasionally be prolonged, claimants can prevent disability claim delays by being well-organized with their paperwork, communicating as needed with their health providers, and familiarizing themselves with the policy details. 

Obtaining legal advice and ensuring accuracy in application forms can ease the process and make the whole experience less tedious.

Read Also:

• The Financial and Legal Impact of Permanent Disability After Road Accidents
• How a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help You Pursue Justice?
• How Workers’ Comp and Third-Party Claims Overlap