After three years, the Biden Administration has officially ended the COVID-19 public health emergency. What impact will that have on your Lake Nona Long Term Disability claim?
Signed by former HHS Secretary Alex Azar, on January 31, 2020, COVID-19 was officially declared a public health emergency (PHE) by the United States. With that declaration came a coordinated effort to stop the spread of the virus.
Another result of the PHE declaration was the suspension of the deadline for appealing denied or terminated Long Term Disability claims. Now that the PHE has ended, the clock has started ticking again on appeals from these denials and terminations over the last few years.
Timeline For Your Appeal
If your Short Term or Long Term Disability benefits are employer-sponsored, and your claim was denied, you typically have a limited time to file an appeal. Under the Department of Labor’s rules, this timeframe was suspended during the PHE. These rules state that “employee benefit plans were required to disregard the period from March 1, 2020, until 60 days after the announced end of the National Emergency.”
Now that the PHE has ended, you may only have 60 days to file an appeal to a denied claim. Our Lake Nona Long Term Disability attorneys can help you navigate this complicated new landscape for filing an appeal.
How Long COVID-19 Affected Long Term Disability Claims
Even though the PHE has ended, COVID-19 continues to have an impact on our healthcare system and on Long Term Disability claims. Long COVID has only recently been recognized by insurers as a basis for Long Term Disability claims. This comes as a result of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services determining that this condition can be classified as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Symptoms of long COVID can look similar to symptoms of other illnesses and can include:
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Chronic fatigue
- Brain fog
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Depression
- Anxiety
- And others
Why Are Long Term Disability Claims Denied?
If your Long Term Disability claim was denied, it could be for many reasons, including:
- Medical evidence is missing.
- Failure to meet qualification requirements.
- Excluded conditions such as pre-existing conditions.
- Failure to meet deadlines.
- And others.
Having the skilled Long Term Disability lawyers at Herbert M. Hill, P.A. on your side is the most effective way to ensure your appeal is handled correctly. When we appeal a denied benefits claim, we will:
- Make sure all deadlines are met.
- Prepare your claims files accurately.
- Determine if more evidence is needed, then work with you and your medical providers to obtain that information.
- Act as your legal representative.
Why You Need Lake Nona Long Term Disability Benefits
When you are unable to work due to an injury or illness, your Long Term Disability insurance is there to ensure you can continue to support yourself and your family. Whether you contribute to an employer-sponsored plan or need to draw from government-sponsored disability plans, including SSDI and SSI, these plans are in place to help.
However, the journey to approved benefits can be complicated. It is highly recommended that you obtain the services of an experienced Long Term Disability attorney like those at Herbert M. Hill, P.A. to assist you. Contact our office today to set up a consultation. We look forward to working with you.