When you suffer from an “invisible” disability that does not have obvious physical symptoms, you need to present substantial evidence to support your claim for long-term disability insurance benefits because your claim will be scrutinized more heavily than claims involving other types of disabilities. This is not surprising when you consider the basic premise insurers operate under—they seek to keep profits high by paying out as little as possible. It is easier for them to deny claims regarding injuries that are more difficult to document. So they deny these claims and hope that policyholders accept the results without a fight. […]

Coverage under an employer-sponsored disability insurance plan governed by ERISA can differ significantly from coverage provided by a private disability insurance policy, and these plans are enforced under separate laws. Many physicians, executives, attorneys, accountants, and other professionals know that they have some form of disability insurance, but they have not examined the details in recent memory. While both ERISA plans and individual disability insurance policies can provide a vital lifeline for professionals who have significant time and resources invested in their practice, there are differences and limitations that must be understood before professionals can choose coverage that provides the […]