The Hartford - Disability

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Thomas of Idaho City, ID March 4, 2009

Thomas of Idaho City ID (03/04/09)
I was being paid Disability Benefits by Hartford up until the 26th of January when I did not recieve my benefit check for February. I called and spoke with Jennifer K as to the status and she stated that my benefits have been suspended due to an over payment which has resulted from my being approved for Social Security in November and being back dated to June. This has resulted in a overpayment of over 12,000.00 and needed to be repaid.

When I recieved the letter from Hartford listing the details it showed that they were estimating an amount of 690.00 for my son whom does not live with me and is not considered my dependant as a result of a Divorce. I pay 914.00 per month for Child Support(614.00) and Spousal Support(300.00). I feel that this is an error as this would be double jeopardy financially on me as I have to pay his support and pay Hartford for what he is recieving under Social Security. I have contacted Support Enforcement in California which is where he resides with his Mother and this is where we were Divorced and they state that Social Security is a seperate enity and has no basis on what I pay as far as support for him however what I recieve from Social Security is considered income and is used to base what I pay in Support as well as what I recieve from Hartford. So I ask why is Hartford holding me responsible for what he is recieving from Social Security. What is wrong with our system.

This has caused a huge finacial impact on me as I now recieve 2,752.16 less in my income. I have had to call my creditors and let them know that I can not make my regulary scheduled payments and really do not know when or how I can make them up. I also am only paying 300.00 in support at the present due to my income change so this is also making me in the arrears on my support obligation

William of Philadelphia, MS February 22, 2009

William of Philadelphia MS (02/22/09)
After paying premiums for long term disability for over 19 years, and recieving disability payments for nearly 2 years, I was recently awarded Social Security Disability for multiple conditions.Since I notified The Hartford of the award, they decided to suspend payments to me, siting an overpayment and requesting I send them all that Social Security has determined me to be entitled to plus an additional amount that equals thousands of dollars.They have also inquired about disability entitelments for my dependent child. They never paid anything for my child, so what's their interest.

Among other things, I am a type 1 diabetic who suffers from Sarchoidosis of the skin and kidneys, this instant determination by The Hartford has increased my already stress levels to a point where additional medications are needed, I have been to sereral hospitals in the area this month alone mor than 8 times. If not for friends and family I don't know what I would do.

George of West Deptford, NJ January 24, 2009

George of West Deptford NJ (01/24/09)
I got injured at work i torn tendions in my rt. hand hartford waited almost 4 weeks to send me 1st. check was for wrong amount by half and only 2 weeks next 2 checks were sent after 4 weeks each but only for 2 weeks each then stopped sending checks and canceled my surgery without notifiying me and i am a union carpenter and can not return until i have surgery to repair hand so now its been 6 weeks and i had to get a lawyer involved and i have no answers yet

fell behind on everything they did not send check until 2 days before christmas so did not recieve until 3 day after i have 2 young children

Julia of Batavia, NY October 23, 2008

Julia of Batavia NY (10/23/08)
I had a total hip replacement done on 7/9/2008 and applied for short term disability with The Hartford. I recieved 12 weeks of benefits. I went to a follow up visit with my surgeon who advised me that he was not going to allow me to return to work for another 3 months. I applied to have my benefits extended to cover me until my return to work. In New York State we are entitled to a total of 26 weeks. The Hartford faxed my surgeon the relevent forms and he duly filled them out and sent them back. I decided to call the Hartford to find out the status of my claim and was told he had not sent what they asked for (consultation notes etc) nowhere on the form does it ask for these. I was told it was my responsibility to ensure that they recieved everything they needed.

I then called them to verify that they had recieved everything they needed and was told yes, it would now go up for review. I called regularly to request the status of my claim, often not getting answers as per their policy, which a representitive on the phone told me was that they are meant to call you back the same business day if you have left a message on the voice mail, which I always did. Finally a young man pulled up my name on his computer and said he could see all the calls I had made and was going to email a supervisor about this. In a short space of time my anylist called me and informed me that my request for my benefits to be extended had been denied.

 Firstly I dont understand how these companies can totally ignore anything that my orthopaedic surgeon had said. I know I can appeal but I have already been without my money for 3 weeks and cannot afford to wait fot the appeal process.They have tied my hands behind my back because if I go back to work against my Dr's orders I cannot appeal and should I get hurt my medical insurance could refuse to pay for any further treatment.

On researching over the internet I was amazed at how many comlaints have been made against this company for the same kind of problems that I have had, surely somebody can do something about this. I have already contacted the NY Insurance board about this and filed a complaint but what to do about money in the meantime. It seems to me that The Hartford are more than aware that many people can not afford to wait for an appeal and in desperation return to work against the advice of their Dr's which in turn lets them off the hook.

Tim of Norman, OK October 4, 2008

Tim of Norman OK (10/04/08)
I worked for a big oil company in South America. I caught a Varicella zoster virus-visceral zoster in the genitourinary system (internal pain was/is tremendous in the private parts) fall of 1998 LTD started spring of 1999 terminated 2005-appealed and reinstated 6 months later....terminated 2007 appealed reinstated 6 months later.Settled out of court for 100,000.00-they owed me twice as much. I could not work a 8 hour day 40 hours a week without laying down at times/wear sweats/ in a non stress atmosphere. I suffered nerve damage in several internal organs that affect me to this day and take narcotics to control my pain.

I was video'd for 6 months 4 dvd's worth showing me shopping and working in my yard. Yes they will be watching. I won every termination due to amount of paperwork I kept and answered all termination reasons in my appeal with doctors backing my claim with there letters as well. I also had to return 16,000.00 back to Hartford that I received from Social Security as Hartford stated I was overpaid-I am totally disabled by Social Security as well.

I believe why Hartford settled was I found out my company pulled 100,000 policys from Hartford and at that time I was video'd-terminated and when I was going to bring this up in court I was offered a settlement in 2008. 1.Hartford tried to come to my house-I refused. 2.LTD CANNOT be trusted on anything. 3.Keep all paperwork of illness/meds/doctors and be sure to inform doctors that your LTD carrier will try to change their minds/or fax letters to sign in LTD favor....been there and done it. ERISA gives most all the benefits to big insurers policy holders get the shaft....Good luck to all as the last 10 years were hell on earth to me and my family.

Terminations and appeals will make one have depression as well as financial distress to the utmost and big LTD companys know this and work it in there favor. If one needs LTD coverage do not use an employer LTD company...get a private policy to get away from ERISA! Good Luck....been there and done it all on my own and it was a very hard thing to accomplish.

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