Regular readers of this blog will know that we have paid close attention to the rollercoaster case involving former NFL running back Michael Cloud and his quest to attain the highest level of disability benefits from the NFL Player Retirement Plan. While we wish we...
ERISA
Bill introduced for mental health disability parity in Minnesota
Back in January of this year, we found ourselves in the awkward but not unpleasant position of praising Sun Life after they encouraged Congress to pass legislation requiring mental health and substance abuse parity among long-term disability insurance plans. Sun...
The Catch-22 denial of benefits trick fails again
Never underestimate the willingness of insurance companies to “try again” to deny benefits for reasons which have already been considered and rejected by the Courts. We highlighted a case in July 2023 wherein a dental hygienist continued working through her chronic...
Despite the easy win, this ERISA case has important lessons
Ideally, you should get through life without having to think about long-term disability and the often arduous ERISA application process. Worst case scenario, you should only have to deal with this once. So, unless you’re an avid reader of this blog, it’s...
Sun Life supports adding mental health parity to disability insurance
Here in the muddy trenches of ERISA law, we usually find ourselves condemning insurance providers for unfair benefit denials and disingenuous tactics designed to please shareholders at the expense of their customers' wellbeing. Today is not one of those days. Everyone...
5 reasons to appeal a long-term disability insurance denial under ERISA
Insurance providers routinely deny many of ERISA LTD claims. While some denials are legitimate, a disappointing number range from dubious to absurd. Unfortunately, insurance providers know that only some applicants will appeal their denial. There are many common and...
AI review of ERISA claims is already a problem
We recently covered the use of AI in reviewing ERISA claims. (Spoiler alert: we were decidedly skeptical.) Stories are already popping up about insurers using AI to save money rather than help paying customers with their disability claims. Well, add another story to...
Epic NFL disability lawsuit ends in player’s defeat
A longstanding lawsuit between former NFL running back Michael Cloud, which we’ve cited in previous posts, and the NFL Player Retirement Plan came to a startling and disappointing end. The decision, which defies reality and common sense, is a massive blow to disabled,...
How will Prudential using AI for ERISA claims affect applicants?
Barely an hour passes these days without a company giddily announcing a new AI partnership to improve its performance. But does the current state and limitations of AI belong in long-term disability benefits, a realm where crucial financial security and even people’s...
Three-part ERISA saga finally ends in plaintiff receiving benefits
Buckle up because this story could easily be adapted into a three-hour dramatic film starring Reese Whitherspoon and directed by Oliver Stone. And if you think reading this story takes a long time, imagine how the plaintiff feels. The main takeaway from this case is...