Guardian Disability Benefit Claim Handling Tips
When you finally receive a letter from Guardian Disability informing you that your claim for long term disability benefits has been approved, it can be easy to assume it’s smooth sailing from here on out. Unfortunately, approval isn’t the end of the story – and if the claimant doesn’t maintain the medical records and other evidence to support their continued receipt of long term disability benefits, Guardian may terminate them. This article will discuss some tips on managing your Guardian Disability claim after you’ve been approved.
Why Doesn’t a Guardian Disability Approval Last Forever?
Most Guardian Disability long term disability claims are initially approved under a definition of disability that can evolve over time. When benefits are approved, they may be approved under an “own occupation” standard – that is, the claimant can receive disability benefits if their condition prevents them from performing their job.
But after a certain period of time, usually detailed in the policy, this shifts to an “any occupation” standard. To continue to receive disability benefits, the claimant must show they are unable to perform any job, which can be a tougher standard to meet. This is why it’s important to anticipate and prepare for this shift in policy coverage so that you can continue to receive benefits if you’re still unable to return to work.
Surgeons Are Not the Best Medical Specialist to Support Your Guardian Claim Long Term
Many clients are receiving long term disability benefits as a result of a surgery (or a condition that has required at least one surgery), so it can make sense to have one’s surgeon fill out the initial disability claim forms. However, in most cases, surgeons aren’t the best long term option when it comes to the medical support of your Guardian Disability long term disability benefits.
Not only are surgeons among the busiest of medical professionals, but many see it as a blow to their own self-perception if a patient continues to seek their signature to obtain long term disability benefits – after all, a surgeon’s main motivation is to improve the patient’s condition, not admit the patient is too disabled to work. Instead, claimants may opt to see a specialist or to return to the doctor who referred them to the surgeon in the first place.
How Often Should a Guardian Claimant Seek Medical Treatment?
Your physician should document any changes in your condition, whether improvement or deterioration. It’s important to ensure your records remain accurate and any mistakes are quickly caught and corrected. At Dell & Schaefer, a big part of our jobs involves educating clients on what their medical records will need to show and what to tell their doctors to ensure they document the disability appropriately. This can ensure there’s enough evidence in the medical record to satisfy Guardian that long term disability benefits are still appropriate.
Be Very Cautious if You Have Any Social Media Profiles as Guardian Will View Them
Even after your claim for long term disability benefits has been approved, Guardian Disability will continue to monitor you. Because video surveillance is time-consuming, expensive, and often requires travel, claim investigators instead focus on claimants’ social media profiles where available. A post about a claimant successfully completing a 5K race or a photo of the claimant performing an activity they’ve claimed they are unable to do can be enough to terminate the claimant’s receipt of benefits.
If your Guardian Disability long term disability claim has been approved, it’s important not to become complacent. The disability insurance attorneys at Dell & Schaefer have helped thousands of claimants secure their disability benefits through Guardian Disability, and we can help you too. Get in touch today to set up your FREE consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.
Resources to Help You Win Disability Benefits
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Get Your Guardian Disability Application Approved
Prevent a Guardian Disability Benefit Denial
Negotiate a Guardian Lump-Sum Settlement
Our goal is to negotiate the highest possible buyout of your long-term disability policy.
Policy Holder Rating
Guardian not being flexible during Covid
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Guardian thinks people with lupus miraculously recover
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Stress over Guardian caused my heart attack
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The IRS should know that Guardian refuses to send my W-2 form
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Guardian cancelled my husband's claim without checking his medical records. Do better. We have children to feed and bills to pay.
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Guardian has built-in denial for self-employed individuals
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Guardian has the least helpful folks I have ever met
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If you work for a company who offers Guardian, tell them NO and get a non ERISA provider. Guardian lied about my options and then tried to tell me I'm not disabled
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Q: I accepted and deposited a lump sum long term disability payment installment for underpayment from Guardian. Can they ask for money back if I try to work again?
Q: How Does Guardian Calcualutate my Long Term Disability Benefit?
Q: How long do I have to file my Guardian disability appeal?
Q: Can I claim a permanent disability to avoid a surgery that requires several months of down time without promising results?
Q: Do I still need to fill out Guardian claim forms if I am eligible for Presumptive Total Disability?
Q: Can Guardian make me file taxes on a non-taxable insurance?
Q: Does Guardian reduce the qualifying income when an STD becomes a LTD?
Q: Where does PTSD fall in to my Guardian LTD?
Guardian Disability Benefit Claim Handling Tips
Is Your Disability Insurance Claim a Physical or Mental Disability Condition?
Disability Benefit Denial Reason #4 - Your Doctor Is Misled By the Disability Company
Disability Benefit Denial Reason #3 - Video & Social Media Surveillance
How Do You Fight a Long-Term Disability Denial?
Disability Denial Reason #2 - Change of Disability Definition & Vocational Review
Disability Denial Reason #1 – Paper Review & IME
How to Apply for Reliance Standard Disability Benefits & Top 5 Reasons for a Claim Denial
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Lincoln National LTD Denial for Pre-Existing Condition Reversed on Appeal
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