Receiving approval for long-term disability (LTD) benefits can provide enormous relief when an illness or injury prevents you from working. Unfortunately, approval of an LTD claim does not necessarily mean that benefits will continue indefinitely.
In Ontario, insurance companies regularly review LTD claims and may decide to terminate benefits even after paying them for months or years.
If your insurance company has advised you that your LTD benefits are ending, has scheduled medical examinations for you to be seen by ‘independent’ doctors—or you are concerned about your benefits—it is important to understand why this happens and what options may be available to you.
Can an Insurance Company Stop LTD Benefits After Approving My Claim?
Yes.
Most long-term disability insurance policies allow the insurance company to periodically assess whether the insured / claimant continues to satisfy the policy’s definition of “total disability.”
As part of that process, the insurer may request updated medical records, reports from your doctors, information about your treatment, details about your daily activities, or an assessment by a medical professional selected by the insurance company.
If the insurer concludes that you no longer meet the policy’s definition of disability, it may terminate your LTD benefits.
However, an insurance company’s decision to terminate benefits does not necessarily mean that the decision is correct. If your benefits are denied, it is often wiser to immediately contact a long term disability lawyer rather than attempting the ‘appeal process’ offered by insurers.
Call me today so we can discuss your circumstances. I never charge for a consultation and am always happy to speak to you about your case.
