CIGNA / LINA (Life Insurance Company of North America)
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CIGNA (NYSE: CI) generally only sells long-term disability insurance plans to trade associations, professional associations, unions and affinity groups. The CIGNA disability policies usually do not cover monthly disability benefits in excess of $6,000. Most CIGNA long-term disability policies offer a 2 year “own-occupation” disability definition and then the definition of disability changes to “any-occupation”.
Cigna / LINA (Life Insurance Company of North America) is one of the world’s largest Group ERISA long-term disability insurance companies. Cigna is the parent company of Life Insurance Company of North America (LINA). Through our law firm’s review of hundreds of CIGNA / LINA disability claims we have found that most of the disability benefit claim denials are based upon CIGNA’s allegations of a lack of “objective evidence”.
After a series of meetings in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, a group of prominent citizens formed the Insurance Company of North America (INA). INA is the first marine insurance company in the United States, and it will remain the nation’s oldest stockholder-owned insurer. In 1981 INA announces the intent to combine Connecticut General Corporation and INA Corporation. “CIGNA” is chosen as the name for the new concern, a combination of its predecessors’ initials. In March of 1981, the formation of CIGNA receives final regulatory approval. The Insurance Company of North America and Connecticut General Life Insurance Company become CIGNA’s chief operating companies.
In 1989 CIGNA acquired the MCC Companies, a managed mental-health care and substance-abuse programs. These companies are rebranded as CIGNA Behavioral Health, Inc. in 1999. In 1990 CIGNA acquired EQUICOR, the nation’s sixth-largest provider of employee benefits. In 1993 CIGNA purchases Tel-Drug, it merges with Rx PRIME, a CIGNA-managed pharmacy-benefit program formed in 1992. In 1997 CIGNA acquires Healthsource, a New Hampshire-based health care company. In 1998 CIGNA sells its individual life insurance and annuities businesses to Lincoln National Corporation. Also in 1998, CIGNA sells its property-casualty domestic and international businesses to ACE Limited of Hamilton, Bermuda. In 2000 CIGNA launches Times Square Capital Management, Inc. as the company’s independent, dedicated asset-management operation. In 2000 CIGNA sells its U.S. accidental death, individual life and group life reinsurance businesses to a subsidiary of Swiss Reinsurance Company. In 2000 CIGNA launched Times Square Capital Management, Inc. as the company’s independent, dedicated asset-management operation. CIGNA sells its U.S. accidental death, individual life and group life reinsurance businesses to a subsidiary of Swiss Reinsurance Company. In 2002 CIGNA was the first company to enter into the Chinese life insurance market.
CIGNA provides health care and related benefits in the United States and internationally. It operates in two segments, Health Care, and Disability and Life. Disability and Life segment provides various insurance products and related services, including group long-term and short-term disability insurance, as well as case management and related services to workers’ compensation insurers and employers; group life insurance products comprising group term life and group universal life; and personal accident insurance consisting of accidental death and dismemberment, and travel accident insurance. The company also offers corporate-owned life insurance, which are permanent insurance contracts sold to corporations to provide coverage on the lives of certain employees. In 2008, the Company reported total invested assets of approximately $18.3 billion.
In 2009 the California Department of Insurance fined LINA / CIGNA $600,000 and ordered them to re-evalaute thousands of wronguflly denied long-term disability insurance claims. Click here to read the California Settlement Agreement and the Report of Market Conduct regarding LINA / CIGNA’s wrongful long term disability claims handling practices.
As disability insurance attorneys, Dell & Schaefer have represented numerous clients with their long-term disability claims against CIGNA and its affiliated companies. Disability Attorneys Dell & Schaefer have provided and offer the following legal services for disability claimants that have a long-term disability insurance policy or disability income policy purchased from CIGNA:
- Application for long-term disability benefits with CIGNA
- Application for short-term disability benefits with CIGNA
- Monthly claim handling of CIGNA long-term disability insurance claims
- Appeal of a CIGNA denial of long-term disability benefits
- ERISA appeal of a CIGNA denial of long-term disability benefits
- Lawsuit against CIGNA for denial of long-term disability benefits
- Lump-sum buyout of a CIGNA long-term disability insurance policy
- Department of Insurance complaints against CIGNA for wrongful delay and denial of long-term disability benefits
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- CIGNA under fire in Minnesota Federal Court for termination of claimant’s disability benefits
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- CIGNA/LINA sued by Lockheed Martin employee for unpaid disability benefits
- After being denied disability benefits, Rabbi suffering from bipolar disorder sues CIGNA
- Ladenburg Thalmann Branch Manager suffering from injured back sues CIGNA for denial of disability benefits
- Life Insurance Company of North America sued under ERISA in three different cases for denial to pay disability benefits
- 12 years of disability payments paid, but CIGNA suddenly determines claimant can perform sedentary job
- CIGNA pays disability benefits for 10 years, offers a lump sum buyout and then denies disability claim
- CIGNA denies disability insurance benefits to Engineering Manager with Stage 4 cancer
- Jean Pentecost and her Montana disability lawyer file a complaint against CIGNA
- CIGNA entitled to recover social security disability benefit overpayment
- Cigna denies Herff Jones Inc. employee disability benefits after she is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
- Life Insurance Company Of North America denies disability benefits and battles claimant for 4.5 years in Federal Court
- California Court orders CIGNA to disclose amount paid to MES Solutions for medical reviews
- CIGNA denies benefits after paying for 10 years, but Disability Attorney Stephen Jessup wins benefits for 60 year old client with fibromyalgia
- Office medical specialist suffering with fibromyalgia and CFS hires Arizona Disability Attorney to sue CIGNA for denial of disability benefits
- CIGNA Group Insurance and Subsidiaries sued in Alabama, New York and Michigan for allegedly acting arbitrarily and capriciously in denying claims for long term disability benefits
- CIGNA Life Insurance Company denies disability benefits yet social security disability benefits are approved
- Former Aegon USA employee suffering with multiple sclerosis sues CIGNA for denial of disability insurance benefits
- Former security guard of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia alleges CIGNA Insurance engaged in fraudulent and malicious disability claims practices
- 20 years of receiving disability insurance benefits and CIGNA denies woman’s benefits three separate times
- Washington attorney sues CIGNA for denying disability benefits during any occupation stage and seeking to collect SSDI overpayment
- Federal Court provides 5 reasons CIGNA wrongfully denied disability benefits to man suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome
- CIGNA/LINA sued for denying waiver of life insurance premium to caretaker of disabled and mentally challenged adults
Same old thing, getting the run around by Cigna on my long-term disability, been denied after they secured Social Security disability for me, as soon as Social Security paid the back pay they dropped me like a rock.
I’m having my short term disability benefits delayed. I have a medical condition of persistant, constant severe migraines. I have taken FML earlier of 2010, and then on the 21st of Dec 2010, I was put on STD by my physician. The first requests for information from myself as well as from my physician was requested and received by me and my physician Jan. 24th, 2011, which delayed approval. Finally on Feb 7th CIGNA approved my benefit for STD payment only through to the 7th of Feb. 2011. Now being seen by an new doctor on the 8th of Feb. they have delayed getting further information to approve continuation of benefits. I am on Loritabs 3X daily, Oxycodone as needed for more severe pain that can’t be controlled by the Loritab, Maxalt when needed, which I average 1 to 2 times daily, meaning that I have constant headaches daily, with the pain moving to a 8 or 10 on a scale of 1-10. I have been told that my blood is too thick as well as a severe vitamin D deficiency. I have been prescribed Namenda, which gave me severe side effects. I suffer daily with dizziness and vertego, with episodes of falling. I have also been prescribed Carisoprodol 3 X daily, Amitryptyline nightly, Verapamil once daily to gradually move to 3 x daily at 120 Mg. and Proethazine for nausea. I average three migraines a week, and some last as long as 36 hours. Now CIGNA is trying to tell me I can go to work, which is in conflict with what my doctors are saying. I suffer from insomnia, disorientation/confusion, pain, and nausea daily, which is some from the meds. My employer does not want me there at work due to being an accident liability. So what right does CIGNA have in contradicting my own medical doctors recommendation? What can I do? Where are my rights? CIGNA is adding stress which is causing me more frequency to my condition. Do you have other cases like mine where they are wrongfully non supportive of my claim?
Karla, your situation with CIGNA is typical conduct for a disability insurance company. We have not seen your disability insurance policy so it is difficult for us to advise you of your rights. CIGNA has the right to contradict your doctors and they have their own doctors on staff. You have been paid through February 7, 2011, so CIGNA will usualy take 7-14 days to review updated medical records. Short term disability claims are very difficult when a disability carrier is asking for medical records every week. The only thing you can do at this point is to continue to send in every single medical record you have and call the carrier every day for a status. If your claim is denied, then you will have the right to file an appeal and then sue them. Your condition seems verys serious and it appears that CIGNA will continue to pay you despite their delay.
Hello,
I have had chronic back pain for years and recvd treatment for over a year of injections, chiro, etc. On Oct 5 2010 I had lower lumbar diskectomy and with lamintomy decompression on right and left side of spine. Cigna paid my STD thru 1/13/11 but reviewed for LTD in Jan. and denied me LTD due to not enough medical info to support my claim regardless of further testing being scheduled to determine the etiology of my pain. I have been unable to stand or walk for any significant amout of time and still have severe low back pain. I am a restaurant manager. Cigna stated that MRI done on 12/9/10 was unremarkable even though it did show a re herniation of disc that was involved in surgery. Once the LTD was denied they automatically denied my STD benefits which were payable until 3/14/11. Because this is employer supplied with me paying extra for higher payout, my job is now on the line and a PDc form had to be filled out for employer to determine if I am protected under FMLA since they go by CIGNA’s approval date. I submitted an appeal letter (Denial stated that I had to submit an appeal on my own before obtaining legal rep. according to our contract) and told her on Monday that I would be adding the Mylogram CT report this week once I heard from my doctor. My dr. told me I may need a second surgery depending on this test. I rcvd a copy of Mylogram report and it looks as though the same disc showing on MRI is still herniated and nerve root sleeves are indented on both left and right side with the right side indented enough to prevent filling of contrast. Everything else is scar tissue. My job requires me to be on my feet on avg 7-8 of 10 hour shifts and is a one hour drive one way to work. I am on the verge of losing everything, my fiance lost his job first of Feb. and we have went from over 4000 month to 0 dollars per month. How can they do a across the board denial of STD because LTD is denied? I just do not understand, this is why people get disability insurance.
Sharon, CIGNA is notorious for disability claim denials such as yours. It sounds like you have a lot of medical evidence in support of your claim. In order for us to determine if we can assist you, we need to review your denial letter. It sounds like CIGNA is trying to strong-arm you.
I have worked in a paint store for 30 years. We tint tons of epoxies & urethanes. We were fined by OSHA for no ventilation & disposal issues after several customer & employee complaints in 2003. You may say so what, but I have been diagnosed with ALS & the STD & LTD is handled through CIGNA. I have 2 noted Neurologist diagnosis letters & can see the writing on the wall when they say even though you got SSD we make our own decisions. I have missed 1 paycheck & can’t miss another one. I feel it’s a conspiracy with the employer & am going to see a lawyer. They say they are working on it but I don’t feel my welfare is their concern. Only the Almighty Dollar. I am still in the discovery phase & I don’t like what I see.
I am having an issue with Cigna disability insurance. I worked up until Feb. 2010 part time as a utilization review nurse and part time as a direct patient care nurse. In February, it was found that I had a left sacral fracture and a right pelvic and sacral fracture and was deemed disabled from doing floor nursing by my physician. It took until August of 2010 for Cigna to allow my claim to go through for the floor nurse position. I was still able to do my utilization review position but starting in May of 2010 I again experienced many odd medical difficulties. I was so ataxic that I could not even enter my place of employment to complete my job.
I saw a local neurologist and was found to have a very unusual appearing lesion in the left side of my head. With alot of abnormal medical findings, a common diagnosis could not be made. Meanwhile, still fighting with Cigna disability insurance, I was told to “just go back to work”.
July 21, 2010,I demeaned myself to request a walker to complete my tasks at work. By July 26-my ability to function whatsoever was gone. That was my last day of work. Still unknown as to my diagnosis, I was sent to the Mayo Clinic. I was found to have profound osteoporosis and was told I needed to take daily injections to rebuild my bones and I needed to use a walker for activity-that if I would fall I would break every bone in my body. Through a series of lab work and bone marrow biopsies, I was found to have bone marrow suppression and a connective tissue disorder.
I have really no treatment option at this time. My physician wrote to Cigna and told them I was completely unable to work. Last appeal from Cigna for long term disability was denied through CIGNA despite the fact that my physician had written to the insurance company and told them that I had a progressive illnesss that would result in my demise.
I am following up with an attorney as I feel that my life has been completely cheapened – I am 57 years old, not 97! I have worked in the past with terminally ill patients, giving them chemotherapy. It broke my heart when they would confide in me that all their earthly possessions were being taken away from them because they were being denied disability and could no longer afford their treatment. I promised them that if the occasion ever presented itself that I was in the same position that I would fight in their behalf, dead or alive. Most of them have died but my promise I made to them lives on.
Gretchen, the disability Claim denial by Cigna that you have described seems extremely unfair. Cigna needs to be held accountable for their actions. Once we review your denial letter and the appeal you submitted, we can let you know how we may be able to help you get your disability benefits paid. Your situation is not unique as Cigna has probably denied your claim because they don’t understand your medical condition.
To all,
I have now been denied twice. CIGNA paid from Dec. 22 – Feb. 7, 2011 for my STD Claim, then denied on Feb. 25, 2011 my same claim. I then appealed and then they denied again. This time they had two doctors saying I couldn’t go back to work given that I suffer from intractable migraine/headaches lasting for days at a time and that I also suffer from light sensitivity and audio sensitivity, as well as not being able to perform any of my job responsibilities while on amatryptiline, oxycodone, maxalt, muscles relaxers and loratab. CIGNA wrote back and said due to the terms of my employers contract, “Definition of Disability/Disabled – You are considered Disabled if, soley because of covered Injury or Sickness, you are unable to perffrom all the mertial duties of your regular occupation; or solely due to Injury or Sickness, are unable to earn more than 80% of your covered earnings. Duh… My employer won’t let me on site without a doctors release to return to work, my doctor said I can’t work at all, and CIGNA says yes? Are they F—— Stupid? I believe they are looking for a class action law suit.
Good luck everyone. I have been disabled now going on four months, and my employer now has sent a note saying I have used up all the allowed time off without pay and will be terminated due to CIGNA’s decision of denial.
Karla, I am sorry to hear about your situation. We have seen an increase in CIGNA disability claims lately. If you would like to discuss your claim you can complete our confidential Free Consultation form or call us at 800-682-8331.
My husband has diabetic retinopathy with scarring and atrophy of the retina. His company made him go out on disability March 15,2010. Cigna paid the short term 6 mos and then he went on long term in Sept. at which time they had another company help get a SS disabilty application started. After paying this claim for a year on March 24 they stopped his benefit saying there was no proof that he could not read and do his job – I should mention that his company terminated him in July saying there was no job he could do. We sent new retina pictures and a letter from the doctor stating that he can’t do his job and is not legal to drive. His contract states that he can get disability as long as he can’t do the job or make 80% of his indexed salary. Now they want us to get visual acuity tests that our doctor says are a mute point and that we would have to pay for ourselves. We pay for his health insurance through a state program and unless the tests are ordered insurance won’t cover. They won’t tell us which tests they want as there are over 30 Humphrey visual acuity tests. We only have his unemployment which Thank God he is entitled to and this does not cover all the bills. Can you help us?
Ann, you need to be careful receiving unemployment benefits. A person receiving unemployment benefits is essentially certifying that they are ready, willing and able to work. The disability carriers often use this against claimants. With regard to the eye test, you should write the carrier and ask for clarification as to the type of testing that they are seeking. If you cannot afford it, then you need to tell them that as well. If you doctor states that there is no acuity test that will be helpful, then you should get a letter from the doctor stating this information and send it to CIGNA. You must comply with the appeal deadlines CIGNA has provided. If you would like assistance with your claim, please contact us.
To all:
The other day I just happened to run into one of the administrative people that works at the hospital that I used to work at while going to the clinic. I told her what a problem I was having with CIGNA after she had asked me why I was on a walker. I also explained that I have been unable to work entirely since July 26. She was appalled at the situation with CIGNA as it was part of my benefit package as an employee with benefits. CIGNA gives every excuse in the book as to why not to pay out and they need to be presented with a hefty lawsuit. I was instructed by the administrative person to go and present my concerns to the CEO of the company as I am preparing to present my situation to him soon and hope to get some support or at least persuade the hospital to end their contract with them as soon as legally able. My brother recently visited from Winnipeg Cananda. He is a CPA and the Secretary for a school division there and deals with alot of arranging benefits for employees. He said it was a great concern to him that I was having my claim denied. I told them that in America my situation is more the usual circumstance. He also was appalled and said that the United States has some serious consumer rights issues. What an ebarrassment for the US.
Gregory, I have to differ from your statement that you must comply with the appeal deadlines CIGNA has provided. I have had CIGNA state in a letter that I had plenty of time on both appeals and they quickly cut me off before the dates they have provided to me to provide more information. They are not honest and all they want to do is wait and see if there is a long term from the short term disability so that the government will pay instead. They are getting off aasy. However, at the end of this month I will be at the end of 5 months disabled. I was terminated from my job March 15th from the Idaho National Laboratory, which is self insured by the way. I have undergone the BOTOX injections for the migraine pain and still no luck. As of the 18th of this month I decided to go to a nature path, message therapist who performed a bio feedback on me as well as a massage, and a recommendation to EPSOM Salt baths longterm. The very next day no migraine. I was up to 6 Maxalts a day, flat on my back, and couldn’t keep anything down. As of today, May 24, 2011, I have not had any more migraines. So I believe CIGNA has a lawsuit for the decision they made to deny my claim, which led my employer to terminate my employment after nine years for over 176 hours of Time off without pay, which is against thier policy. All those hours should have been coded STD. And I don’t know how CIGNA can pay the first 45 days for the very same condition, and deny on the 46th day, till today. Now I have until July 8, 2011 to provide more informaiton to support my limitations/restrictioons on my work abilities around the time period I am claiming continued disability. Determine functional abililties? How does one state any clearer that I am bed ridden and I couldn’t go in any light due to light sensitivity and I also had face sensitivity so I can’t wear my glasses to see or read, as well as the dizzy spells, as well as the constant throwing up, as well as the inability to concentrate.
They should be investigated by the government and shut down. But shame on employers to be none supportive to these issues all of us have when trying to obtain STD or LTD.
Karla, I am sorry to hear that CIGNA denied your disability claim. ERISA disability deadlines must be complied with or a disability claim could be barred. While you may disagree with me, I don’t make the rules. I certainly try to shape the laws in favor of disability claimants by battling these cases in courts across the country. Unfortunately, the 7th Cirucit Court of Appeals, which is one of the courts below the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion on April 29, 2011 which denied a claimant’s lawsuit due to her filing of an ERISA appeal 11 DAYS AFTER THE APPEAL DEADLINE. You can read the court’s opinion here.
Gregory, I must of made my statement above confusing to you. I met all the deadlines that CIGNA wrote me, but the day before those dates they chose, I submitted information to support my claim and they had made a decision the day before. They have done this twice. So I met thier deadlines, but they chose to close it a day earlier without notice. I have everything in writing.
Karla – just to let you know that I am with you all the way on CIGNA. I have also dealt with them on a professional level. Before my dissability I worked as a utilization review nurse. CIGNA gave me the hardest time when trying to get reimbursement for the hospital I worked for. My job was to give medical evidence as to why patient needed to be hospitalized then determine if patient needed to be inpatient or could be an observation status patient only. The reimbursement for observation status patients is substantially less. There were certain guidelines that we had to meet to get the patient to qualify as an inpatient. Low and behold, I had a 21 year old who would have died from respiratory complications from H1N1 had she not been put on a respirator then later shipped out to a bigger hospital closer to the cities that could give her more in depth care. She was at our hospital for 22 hours. After giving the insurance company (you got it – CIGNA) a substantial amount of information supporting inpatient treatment – CIGNA refused stating patient qualified as observation only. The matter has finally been settled almost 2 years later after my initial rebuttal and involvement of the hospitalist. You are right-government needs to get involved and a shutdown of companies doing what CIGNA has been successful in doing needs to happen. Good luck to you!
Well said Gretchen. Thanks for you well wishes. CIGNA wants to see how far they can go without paying, and there are some unfortunate individuals that just can’t pay for the litigation process to protect and provide to individuals that truly need support that they and their employer have been paying for and so CIGNA does come ahead of the financial responsibility. If they had not terminated my claim after 45 days, I would still be employed. I hold them responsible.
Karla
On December 28, 2010 I had fallen and injured my neck and shoulders. I had been seen in two separate emergency departments within the next couple of days. Both doctors said I had Torticollis. I had been off of work for a couple days, and then went to see my primary care physician who sent me to a physical therapist and put me off of work for the next two weeks as I was unable to turn my neck, and had severe pain in the neck and shoulders.
After two weeks of seeing a physical therapist and not getting any better with the exception of a little more mobility in my neck; my doctor referred me to a pain management clinic and put me off for another month. At this point I am on FMLA and STD. During which time I have acquired migraines every day a couple times a day. It took a while to get an appointment with the pain management clinic, bbut I continued to see the physical therapist. Once I got to see the doctor for pain management, she ordered an MRI.
The MRI results came back that I had a moderate cervical herniated disk. At this point it has been approximately four months into my injury. I was told by both my primary care and pain management physician that I would not e able to go back to my current position as a Protection Services officer.
This job included getting into physical altercations with intoxicated, medicated, irrational patients often. It also involved walking and standing on my feet for a majority of my ten hour shift. As well as helping lift large patients, escort (push) patients in wheelchairs, and carry large extinguishers up numerous flights of stairs during fire alarms.
About a month before my STD and employment was to end on June 27 I applied for Long Term disability. All paper work was submitted from both doctors and my physical therapist; to include my physical ability assessments; which basically describes why I can not do all the things listed above plus more.
Today I hear from CIGNA saying my claim has been denied because the information the doctors submitted does not support why I can not work as a Protection Services officer, and they attempted to contact my pain management doctor for more clarification but was unable to. I am definitely baffled by this decision as it sounds to me like they denied my claim based on not being able to speak with a doctor, not my medical condition. I would not think that a person with a cervical herniated disk should be doing a job that is equal to that of a police officer.
Angela – sorry to read from yet another “victim” to how CIGNA runs their “banking” business. I talked to a friend of mine yesterday who worked for CIGNA who recently quit. Now she is without a job. In our conversation, I had the opportunity to ask her why in the world would she quit any job in these hard economic times. She said she could not stand to live with herself any longer due to the “corruptness” that the company stands for and that they are literally programmed to deny claims. Good luck to you also with trying to navigate the unethical system that we have in this country within big business. I have contacted our attorney general and Mineesota Dept. OF Commerce and CIGNA has managed to lie themselves out of a problem. They blatantly lied to these entities and I have the paperwork to prove it. I also contacted the BBB but was told that is not within their ability to handle such complaints but gave me the name of the Philadelphia County Medical Society. That will be my next move. Do not give up. CIGNA needs to be brought down!
I have been on long term disability since early 2000 with affective bipolar. I recently had brain seizures and diagnosed with parkinsonism and dementia. Will the latter disabilities hurt my bipolar case or strengthen it?
North,
In general if you have additional physical medical illnesses that disable you, then these conditions will strengthen your claim. In order to accurately answer your question, we would need to review your Cigna Disability Insurance Policy.
CIGNA needs to be banned from selling insurance in the USA. I’m looking for a lawyer to sue CIGNA and the company I worked for.
Charles,
Sorry to hear about your trouble dealing with this horrible, greedy, and underhanded insurance company. With my current medical situation, I do not know what the future holds, but I hope that I am on this Earth long enough to see CIGNA banned of any rights from selling in the USA. I would love to be able to say this is not the American way, but the deeper I get into it, the experiences that we have had to encounter, unfortunately, has become the American way. I also have experienced the trials of dealing with my past employer – they could not be of any less help – and it appears that the more the claims go through for their employees, the higher their premium goes up. It would be hard to imagine that the very company that one has devoted their whole life to – they could give a darn less!
To all responders and fellow “disabilitants” – have a God-filled day.
Gretchen Laubach
I have been denied both STD and LTD. I had an on the job injury that was soft tissue and it was closed by Workmans Compensation in March. I applied for STD as I was unable to return to my original job and also had a new diagnosis of trochanteric bursitis of both hips, fibromyalgia (diagnosed in 1999 and well managed until this injury), DDD, and a bulging disk at L4-5 (MRI does not show impingenment on nerves). I also have history of PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression, all of which had been well controlled until this injury The current stressors have exacerbated them. My PCP has written on my behalf that I am “barely subsisting and only able to do minimal self care daily chores and finds patient to be temporarily disabled ” due to my chronic pain. Still I am denied. I am now homeless, my credit rating is in the toilet due to inability to pay my bills, am on the verge of losing my vehicle, don’t have phone service and also have lost my health insurance because I could not pay the COBRA fees. This means I cannot get “diagnostic evidence” CIGNA says is needed to PROVE my inability to work. I still am employed (just not working) and eligible for CIGNA benefits, even tho I am unable to perform my duties as a staff nurse. This STD and LTD insurance was one of the “selling” benefits for me taking my position at my place of employment. And now that I need it… I can’t receive it. I am so discouraged.
I can’t believe these stories. I really thought I was the only one. CIGNA paid after my boyfriend shattered my arm with a baseball bat. Then after 14 months I got a letter saying they weren’t paying due to lack of medical care. I cannot lift anything with my left arm. What’s really messed up is I got my last check in April 1 and received my denial letter April 15. I am currently looking at eviction in 2 weeks. I have a 14 year old daughter. I dont know where we are going. My SSI case is still pending. Any advice?
Leesa,
If CIGNA denied you in April, then you only have 180 days to appeal the denial or your claim will be barred. Please call us at 800 828 7583 so we can review your denial for free and discuss how we may be able to assist you.
Gregory,
Can’t your offices provide legal support to these people on a contigent basis? They and I need help to fight this corporate beast. In the end they are just pushing thier responsibility on to the tax payers, so we pay again.
Unfair and unjust.
Karla
Karla,
We regularly represent clients on a contingent fee basis, which means no attorney fee or cost unless we recover benefits for our client.
Unfortunately we cannot represent every client and we need to limit our case load so that we can effectively represent each client.
Our disability attorneys handle disability insurance cases against Cigna / LINA on a daily basis.
It seems hard to believe this company can operate all its divisions in such an unscrupulous way. I would like to share with you what the fine folks at CIGNA did to me and my family.
unitedpatientsofamerica.org
There will be a special place in hell for the CEO of this company and
the henchmen and henchwomen who kiss his posterior and knowingly and without conscience inflict harm on those who suffer in pain and anguish.
After years of paid long term disability with chronic incurable rheumatoid arthritis this CIGNA group of vultures paid someone that I believe to be an unqualified crackpot (not a medical doctor) who supposedly professionally reviewed his long medical history and concluded in favor of those who paid him that he was fit to work despite the overwhelming facts that his pain and suffering was very real and his medical prognosis was incurable and grave.
His benefit payments were denied and continued to be denied even though appeals were made indicating his serious condition with medical proof as to his condition. This action by CIGNA created unearned anxiety and stress causing him to suffer even more.
In less than two years this fine young man of 42 is now dead. He is at peace and his suffering over. Only god knows how much longer he would have had with those who loved him had he not been subjected to this kind of wanton abuse.
CIGNA and their employees are a disgrace. They will have the opportunity to enjoy the fires to come.
I have been disabled since 1994. In December of 2010 I was offered a buyout and refused because I thought it would effect my Social Security. After I refused the buyout I received a letter from Cigna requesting copies of all my tax returns for ten years and copies of income statements. I did send them my copies of social security and my long term disability W2, but they wanted my tax returns. My husband refuses to give them his information and I agree that insurance companies should not have the right to ask for tax information. Hence, I have not received a check from Cigna since May of 2011. Is it legal for them to request my tax returns?
T,
It is legal for them to request your tax returns as a condition of profit of loss. You can cross out all information related to your husband.
To all that CIGNA has wrongfully denied benefits;
1. Unfortunately doctors are becoming more lazy in documenting patients’ records correctly to support our disabilities. This was the case in my claim. Also, because the INL is a self insured company, they too have a part in my denial for disability.
2. As a suggestion, I would not consider the only insurance company “CIGNA” as your only disability insurance company. If I had Aflack, as my disability insurance I believe the results would have been different.
3. CIGNA knows if they deny a claim, the government would cover your disability. This is what they are banking on.
4. As far as the employees that work for CIGNA, they are not personally responsible. They need their jobs and they are only the vehicles being used by CIGNA to do the dirty work. I know that my third case worker as CIGNA was more helpful than the other two and did give me more help in understanding what I needed to fight the denials. Unfortunately, my physician is responsible for lack of documenting why I could not work.
5. Today, I am migraine free. I learned you fight the battles you can win and walk away from the one’s you can’t. Stress is a big factor to healing along with other healing professionals that I have used. I found the right help and not always are migraines created to an injury. I think that what this attorney firm has done in allowing this kind of public forum has been very helpful, I just wish they could do more for all of us. Thank you Gregory Dell.
I was denied short term disability on 1-18-2012 after being in the hospital for 4 days with asthma (wheezing, shortness of breath). The guy from CIGNA who took my application over the phone claimed that I filed for worker comp. (and know that I didn’t). The worker who took my application claimed that I did. What can I do now?
Nancy,
You need to appeal the claim denial by Cigna in writing. You need to comply with the deadlines that Cigna has given you. If you would like assistance, please contact us.
Same deal with Cigna STD. Major hip surgery and was given a return to work of 3/10/12 (3 months post-op). Cigna stopped payments on 1/6/12 using the “we need more info” excuse. Dr.’s office sent a full review of my condition on 1/12 after a post-op eval. Cigna claims to never have received it.
Because I am seeking only a small amount (approx. $5k) am I better off filing a claim in small claims? Even if I lose I would love to cause as much grief to Cigna as they have to me. I am also filing a complaint with the State Attorney’s office and regulatory agency. It might not do much but at least it will make Cigna pay people to handle the administrative responses and court appearances.
SMH,
Even though the amount is small, your lawsuit against Cigna may still need to be filed in Federal Court if it is governed by ERISA. If you contact us and send us your denial letter, we will take a look and see if we can assist you to make a recovery.
Cigna has paid me 5 months of Long-Term Disability. My SS Disability has been approved effective 1/1/12. This month’s check was only about 30% of what I was getting. The Cigna Rep. will neither return my calls or respond to my letters. I’m asking for a copy of my policy and “explanation of benefits” for the money I have and will receive. I’ve no idea what I’m due. They’re quick to send me letters expounding on my obligations but they make no mention of what THEIR obligations are under the policy.