The hospitality industry offers plenty of opportunities, including numerous employment prospects, but due to the industry's physical demands and long hours, employees need safeguarding with employees' benefits, including long-term disability (LTD) coverage.
LTD coverage is crucial for financial stability when employees cannot work due to health issues or injuries, as it can help sustain them financially.
Still, many denied LTD claims lead to financial and emotional stress and leave employees vulnerable, confused, and frustrated.
Common reasons for denial of LTD claims include insufficient medical evidence demonstrating an inability to work, the inability to meet the definition of disability outlined in the policy, missed deadlines, and a pre-existing medical condition.
Employees can take the following steps to appeal their LTD denial: understand the exact reasons for their claim denial and gather the necessary evidence, including applicable medical records, colleagues' and family members' statements, and hire an attorney who specializes in LTD claims when necessary.
If employers don’t provide the resources necessary to ensure employees understand their benefits and the appeals process, denied LTD claims can lead to lowered morale and increased turnover rates.
Having to deal with a denied LTD claim can cause time and energy loss to the employee and financial and emotional strain; however, it’s not the end of the road if an appeal is filed in time with sufficient evidence.
Receiving long-term disability benefits can mitigate the financial burden to employees and ensure they can focus on their recovery without added financial worries.
Clear communication and proper resources from employers can also help prevent unfairly denied claims and provide much-needed support for employees.
In summary, employees need to understand their rights, know the common reasons for LTD claim denials, and the appeal process, while employers should provide proper resources and support to help employees claim the LTD benefits they deserve.