MetLife

MetLife closed my disability claim on short notice with no explanation

Reviewed by Gina on March 8th 2012   Verified Policyholder
Had bunion surgery on my right foot on the 3 of January, everything was going fine until I received a call from a MetLife representative of short term disability telling me that by February 20 my disability claim would be closed. I told him to file all the paper work to the doctor’s office so that the doctor could give them a better view of my medical condition. A couple of day past and he called me again telling me that they had received the doctor’s medical condition and that 3 months and two weeks was too much time for that kind of surgery. The person that called has been instigating me and telling me that maybe I am the one that doesn’t want to go back to work. I told him that my foot is still swollen, I can’t stand for a long time, and I can’t drive because the cast is on the right foot. He told me that this was not a medical reason for me to go back to work. He has been with an attitude with me since the first time he called and rude. This is stressing me out and now I feel mentally and physically worse because they don’t want to pay my disability and I need the money. I would like to go back to work but its not my fault that I haven’t recovered at full. The doctor stated that I can’t stand and need to keep my foot elevated and that I am still not able to go back to work.
Reply
Sent on March 8th 2012 by Attorney Gregory Dell

Gina, MetLife should have sent you a letter explaining their reasoning for denying your claim. You need to file an appeal in order to have a chance of getting benefits reinstated. We handle STD and LTD appeals regularly, but if you are only seeking another month or two of benefits then we could not assist you. You should file an appeal on your own and have your doctor write a letter about why you cannot work. Also, you may find some of our videos on disability appeals helpful.