Should I purchase LTD from employer?

[DebbieL]

Maybe it's a little easier here in Canada, but the people I know who are either currently on, or have been on LTD in the past, have only ever needed the doctor's paperwork. My DD's grandmother has been on it for 20 years and she just gets her doctor to fill in a form every year. She never needed a lawyer to get it going. My sister was on it during cancer treatment, and she also just had the doctor. No hassles from the insurance company.

[disneysteve]

Maybe it's a little easier here in Canada, but the people I know who are either currently on, or have been on LTD in the past, have only ever needed the doctor's paperwork. My DD's grandmother has been on it for 20 years and she just gets her doctor to fill in a form every year. She never needed a lawyer to get it going. My sister was on it during cancer treatment, and she also just had the doctor. No hassles from the insurance company.

It often depends on the situation. When it is something clear cut, like cancer, that isn't hard to get approved. When it is something more vague, like low back pain, that can take more work.

[DebbieL]

I would think that's true Disneysteve, although I think I know a couple people who have just gotten lucky with it. DD's grandma has colitis. Honestly, she lives a great life for the most part. She seems to get hers renewed every year with no troubles. I guess she lucked out. I'm not saying she's cheating or anything - because apparently when she did work (before I knew her) it aggravated her condition. However, in the 19 years I've known them, they've been really living well. Lots of travel all the time, etc. I would not think her case would be very cut and dry.

[disneysteve]

I would think that's true Disneysteve, although I think I know a couple people who have just gotten lucky with it. DD's grandma has colitis. Honestly, she lives a great life for the most part. She seems to get hers renewed every year with no troubles. I guess she lucked out. I'm not saying she's cheating or anything - because apparently when she did work (before I knew her) it aggravated her condition. However, in the 19 years I've known them, they've been really living well. Lots of travel all the time, etc. I would not think her case would be very cut and dry.

Honestly, it often comes down to how skilled the doctor is at writing the report. Insurance companies have key words and phrases that they are scanning for and if the report doesn't contain those words, the claim may get denied. I've been doing this for 18 years so I've got a pretty good idea of what to say and how to say it.

[WarEagle]

Thanks again everyone for the input.