Guardian

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

Reviewed by Bill on July 11th 2016   Verified Policyholder
I have been disabled for 15 years or so… The Guardian compelled me to apply for SSDI benefits to offset Guardian liability.. The Guardian even retained the atty… I won the appeal to SSDI and started receiving monthly benefits from the Guardian.. after 10 years they used a clause in the policy under the section/heading of establishing the claim, to request tax forms… I would have submitted them, (reluctantly), but they were unavailable as I was moving, and they were in 1 of the 2 boxes lost during the move from florida to California. I offered to provide anything else, but they refused and ultimately stopped my claim. 9 months later, after I moved and finally got a copy of the Guardian policy, I discovered I didnt have to submit the tax forms, as the policy allowed for 3 options.. one of which was copies of my bank statements, (again under the heading of establishing income to determine benefit amount, at the onset of the claim, but they use as PERIOD REVIEW). After I discovered that clause and the other option, I sent them a copy of that clause along with several months of bank statements and I asked for an apology as they disrupted my life, ruined my credit score, and my rental credit report for multiple late rent payments and a filing of eviction, (which never was heard in court). but, I guess I poked the bear… so now, I my claim is under constant review.. I have been sending in documents for the last three years…and now… I rec’d a denial letter from the Guardian telling me I am no longer disabled, as per their IME, independent medical evaluation… They also did some surveillance from 2014, (2+ years ago, where they said I walk with a cane and seemed to walk fluidly). They also cited the IME who saw me for 15 minutes, and didnt have any of the medical history. I had just had a MRI, and Nerve study several months earlier which indicated several issues ranging from minor to more ‘Pronounced’… Now, i am faced with a loss of income from a company who refuses to call me back, or return my emails or return my snail mail letters… BAD FAITH, you betcha… harassment, NO DOUBT…. but somehow still legal or at least still acceptable to those who make the rules as ERISA is the main problem…. an old law, lobbied for by insurance companies, and set in concrete… lawyers might help a claimant, but no one is going to go change the laws …. until then, I and others are at the mercy of animals who call themselves claim managers… those folk have no business dealing with disabled people… money and greed drives that company.. zero compassion.. zero empathy.. zero understanding…all because someone else paid for my hourly / salaried benefit… in essence, I paid for it.. someone else just sent in the check.. and because of that loop hole, the Guardian and other erisa providers offer a smoke and mirror deal. If you work for a company who offered Guardian… tell them NO. demand they pay you extra, and go out and get a non ERISA provider… as for me.. I am at a loss, as I am unable to find an attorney in my area that handles ERISA cases…so, now, the guardian gets away with it because now, lawyers think it is too difficult to make money from disabled claimants that have been screwed over
Reply
Sent on July 11th 2016 by Attorney Gregory Dell

Bill, have you appealed the denial? Please contact our office to discuss your denial and to determine how we may be able to assist you.