Today’s article will cover the procedure that takes place when a long-term disability insurance provider asks to conduct a field interview regarding your claim. They may simply refer to this as an interview or a meeting. But in essence, what that means is that the company that handles long-term disability insurance calls and asks to meet with you. Typically, we meet at your home to discuss your claim. What I want you to understand is that, if they call and ask to speak with you about your claim, they are not doing so to inquire about how you are doing or to make you feel better. Long-term disability carriers are educated on how to resume their jobs. When they visit you, they want to learn more about your current health and whether you can resume working. Therefore, you must be ready to respond to each and every one of your inquiries in a manner consistent with the policy’s language. Because they want to know if you’re going to provide information that will allow you to essentially return to work or stop qualifying as disabled if you do,
I want to ask Steven and Caesar about their field interviewing experiences during this session. I know, Steve, you had two today in our office. I am aware that both you and I travel extensively to conduct these field interviews; we conduct them over the phone. Caesar you just got back from Alabama yesterday. For instance, Steven, when you had this field interview today, how was the environment with the two different disability insurance companies?
To try to make the interviews seem friendlier and more open, they always seem to send more of the charismatic people. However, the tone is always present, and you can always see a little bit of what is going on in their minds and where they are headed. You can always have a general idea of a claim, the problems that might exist, and what the insurance provider might want to learn more about. However, when they arrive, they focus, and occasionally they will learn things that you had no idea even existed. Sometimes a client won’t tell you everything that is honest and open when they research They’ll therefore begin bringing up specific issues in an effort to, as you put it, basically demonstrate that you don’t meet their definition on a strict technicality perhaps or that you are able to return to work or as to what his motivations were. Did you file for your disability for a secondary reason, as one of the cases I had today involved?
People need to understand that those conducting these field interviews are frequently working for disability insurance companies and have received specialized training to conduct only these field interviews. They therefore embark on a specific mission to gather a specific amount of data. They typically produce a 6 to 12 page report outlining their findings and have specific instructions as to whether they are to obtain information from the claim examiner handling the claim, a manager, a doctor, a director, or someone else at the company.
- Has Your Condition Changed? …
- How Do You Spend Your Day? …
- What Are Your Symptoms? …
- When Did Your Inability to Work Begin? …
- What are Your Hobbies and Activities? …
- What Are Your Plans to Return to Work? …
- Have You Traveled Recently? …
- How Long Can You Do Certain Activities?
Answering Common Long-Term Disability Questions (how much will I receive?)
How Does SSD Impact Long-Term Disability Claims?
Receiving SSD could affect your long-term disability benefits. In most cases, your SSD benefit amount will be offset. For instance, your long-term disability insurer will deduct $800 from your LTD benefits if you receive $2,500 in LTD benefits each month and $800 in SSD benefits. Some of your back benefits might be deducted by your LTD insurance company. SSD may also offer your dependent spouse or children auxiliary benefits, also known as partial benefits.
How Do Insurance Companies Practice “Bad Faith?”
Insurance company claim reviewers are trained to look for any inconsistencies when examining a long-term disability claim in order to deny a claim. Insurance companies acting in bad faith when they reject a claim by deceptive means
Here are some red flags that may indicate your insurance provider is acting in bad faith:
Here are some actions you should take if you believe your insurance provider is acting in “bad faith”:
4 Common Social Security Disability Interview Questions
Give the SSA the information necessary to demonstrate to them that you suffer from a condition that makes it impossible for you to work. When requesting SSDI benefits, be prepared to answer these social security interview questions:
When did your conditions become disabling?
When your condition became so severe that you could no longer work will be a question the SSA will put to you. This information aids in figuring out when your disability is said to have started.
FAQ
What should you not do in a long term disability interview?
- No one will hire me; I can’t find work. …
- I am not under medical treatment for my disability. …
- I have a history of drug abuse or criminal activity.
- I do household chores and go for walks. …
- My pain is severe and unbearable. …
- Legal Guidance When SSDI Benefits Are Denied.
What should I say in a disability interview?
- Dates, addresses and contact information of your previous employment. …
- Information on Doctors and Medication. …
- Household information. …
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) …
- Current Living Situation. …
- Sources of Income.
What are things that are considered a long term disability?
Plans for long-term disability insurance may provide coverage for a range of physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, neurological conditions, and degenerative diseases. Bipolar disorder is one of the medical conditions that may be eligible for long-term disability benefits. Cancer.
What can you not say in a social security disability interview?
Making Statements That Could Damage Your Claim – Unless specifically inquired about, avoid discussing your use of alcohol or drugs, criminal history, family members receiving benefits or being unemployed, or other similar matters. However, if anyone directly asks you about any of those subjects, be honest in your response.
