Lincoln Financial
Lincoln Financial is threatening to deny my benefits because I haven't yet provided them with my restrictions/limitiations as a result of GI complications.
Hello, my name is Lisa and I have been on LTD since 2006. When I went out on disability it was for pain management. While I was waiting for an appt. my job terminated me on FMLA. I sued them and won and my LTD has been in effect. The plan terms state until I am 65 yrs old and I am now 48yrs old. Lincoln Financial decided to get Basset Law Firm to fight for my SSI benefits, and within 5 minutes of being in the court, the GI specialist got on the phone and stated that I was disabled the second I walked out of the door from my IBS, Acid Reflux, Twisted Colon, GERDS, etc, . So they granted me long term disability due to that instead of the fibromyalgia, co-morbid nerve damage, chronic pelvic pain, bone surr off left hip, L4-6 attached to pelvic bone and tilted pelvis, etc… Well after 7 years of sending in their yearly claim form that I had my pain clinic md fill out, I decided to give this form to my gi specialist since they just did procedures and found polyps and internal hemmoriods and ulcers. I then received a call from my md stating that Lincoln Financial is requesting additional information for restrictions. So I call my case manager and her manager inquiring about this explaining that the Federal Govt found me to be totally disabled due to my digestive disorder. I asked them “WHAT is a GI MD supposed to put down as restrictions?, no milk?, no cheese?” And Lynn the manager kept yelling at me stating they need to know “WHO is keeping me out on disability?, WHAT MD told you that you can’t work?” She stated they need to know the limitations or my claim might be denied. I told her that she needed to look through my big file and find the letter from the Federal Govt and leave my GI specialist alone. I have been threatened that I can loose my benefits if they do not list restrictions. HOW CAN YOU LIST RESTRICTIONS FOR GI? I feel like I am being harrassed and the stress is killing me. I have done all my due dilegence but it seems like Lincoln Financial wants to cut me off and I know there is something wrong here. Can anyone please help and tell me what my rights are at this point please?
Reply
Lisa, unfortunately, entitlement to disability insurance benefits is a month to month evaluation and as such the carrier can request updated claim forms and information on a month to month basis. Additionally, the policy most likely contains language that you have to be under the regular care/treatment of a physician for your condition in order to receive benefits. Your doctor will have to indicate restrictions and limitations as to your ability to work based on your disabling conditions. I understand that you do receive Social Security disability insurance benefits, but receipt of same is not a guarantee that benefits will continue to be paid under a disability insurance policy.
