Question

Can Cigna force me to use Advantage 2000?

Asked on January 8th 2015 by RDF
Received Cigna STD until November 2014, applied for LTD with Cigna then. Waiting on first check and approval or denial for LTD. Applied for SSDI in November 2014, waiting on decision on SSDI. The Cigna LTD policy says I must participate in their SSDI assistance program to avoid offset of assumed benefits from SSDI of 2150. Advantage 2000 sends me paperwork to sign including SSDI assistance program and also additional program for overpayment plan back to Cigna. In the paperwork is a page telling me to not date the ssa forms but to sign them (SSA-3288 & SSA-827) – that doesnt seem legal. SSA says to date them and sign them. I wish I wasn’t being forced to use Advantage 2000.

Answer

Answered on January 9th 2015 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

RDF, You have NO duty to use Advantage 2000. Your policy only requires you to make application for SSDI. You can do so on your own or through an attorney of your choosing and provide proof to Cigna that you have made application.