There are two types of disability insurance, long-term and short-term. Disability insurance is designed to replace income or other expenses if you are unable to work for an extended period of time due to a covered physical or mental illness or injury.

Short-term disability insurance covers a portion of the policyholder’s salary for a short period following a disability. The specific waiting period of coverage and percent of income covered will vary by policy.

Long-term disability kicks in after a policyholder is unable to work for a specified period of time, generally six months. Depending on the policy, coverage can last for a specified number of years or until the policyholder reaches an age or life milestone such as retirement.

Problems with payment often arise from:

• Failure to support the claim with sufficient medical evidence;
• Not meeting the policy’s definition of disability;
• Failure to timely Exhaust Administrative Appeals