I haven’t written about “fearfulness” in quite some time. Over the last few years, it seemed to me that most insureds were dealing with the anxiety associated with their claims fairly well, and I hadn’t felt the need to mention it. However, over the last several months I’ve been hearing insureds’ fear again – fear that could potentially deny them the benefits they desperately need.
I suppose one could say that fearfulness associated with disability claims is normal. There is a sizable portion of uncertainty with managing disability benefits, and it’s within the set of “normal feelings” to be afraid. And, that’s true, but only to a certain reasonable point.
I’m sure that the “fear” I’m speaking about is 70% due to having to rely on an outside third party for financial support. No one wants to be left without the funds to pay bills to continue to support the family. Not having any money is indeed something to be fearful about, but if “being afraid” causes you to react, say, and do things adverse to your claim, then it is contraindicated and insureds need to be extremely mindful of their reactions to requests etc.
First, fear often causes insureds to accept, say, and repeat inaccurate information. The Internet is NOT a credible source of information because every one seems to have a sad story about their claims. Believing unsubstantiated Internet chat groups etc. is a huge mistake and keeps you fearful.
It is NOT true that having someone helping you with your claim creates red flags and brings suspicion to your claim. It is NOT true that if your update paperwork must be late, your claim will be denied. If you write a letter to the claims handler in advance asking for an extension, it is usually granted. It is NOT true that making a claims handler angry will result in a denied claim. Insureds who are fearful usually manage their claims based on false and inaccurate information they couldn’t possibly defend.
Second, insureds who are fearful will generally give up any and all information about themselves even when they are not required to do so because they believe if they do, benefits will be paid. This is entirely false. Imagine that the person on the other side of the phone is deliberately attempting to deny your claim while at the same time you are actually providing proof of work capacity because you think it will keep your claim paid. You are required to provide proof of claim, financial and occupational information. You are NOT required to provide a road map for your gardening, walking your dog, weekend trips with grandchildren. Claims handlers are NOT your friend and shouldn’t be treated like one.
Third, insureds who are afraid usually check the insurer website portal more than once each day. This is a huge mistake. I have seen denial letters cross my desk alluding to the fact that an insured checked the website portal 10 times per day, and “if you can do that, you are demonstrating work capacity. Nevertheless, I’ve also been told website portals have “tracking trojans that track insureds every where on the NET. Just so you know, website portals are not always up to date, and they are NOT downloaded and provided to attorneys looking for an unsanitized file in cases of litigation.
I’m sure you get the point. “Fearfulness” causes claimants and insured to do and say what they normally would NOT do or say. It’s also true that being fearful and having anxiety about a claim does NOT help your medical condition or impairment get any better.
So how can you identify the level of your fear? Please see the list I’ve experienced with Clients over the years.
- Checking a website portal more than once a day just to ease your anxiety that everything is OK with the claim.
- Experiencing anxiety, shaking, stomach pains, insomnia, nervousness, and fearfulness just before benefit checks are due. Once the money is received, insureds generally settle down until next month when the anxiety cycle begins again.
- Insureds are afraid to open mail received by insurers. Sometimes the letters are set aside until insureds can work up enough courage to actually open the letters.
- Calling the claims handler frequently just to assure yourself everything is OK with your claim. (Actually, this causes an “internal red flag” you really don’t want.) Calls to claims handlers should NOT be made frequently.
- Insureds are unable to manage the household, pay bills, or take care of children just prior to the benefit due date. Frequent arguments with spouses also take place until the benefit check arrives, then all quiets down.
- Giving an insurance company every thing they ask for even when it is unreasonable or out of contract.
- Exaggerations, such as thinking a disability insurer can take your home, and other assets from you. This can be terribly distrubing.
Again, I’m sure you get the picture. If you have two or more of these “symptoms”, you are probably very scared about your claim. As I said in the beginning, fear is a normal human manifestation to the craziness of filing a disability claim. But, there are limits that when reached can cost you your claim.
Now that insurance companies are once again engaging in aggressive claims practices, you may be feeling the nudge of fear. If you have any questions about this please feel free to contact me.
