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Robin of Orangevale CA (05/02/08)
I began to get sick the end of jan. I went to my GP who then reffered me to a neurosurgeon. I ended up with neurology the begining of Feb. I sent in all the proper paper work I recieved one check feb 24th. They required that I send more paper work, all my records. My doctor was suspesious that i have a neurological disease.
It is now May the 2nd. Met life took their sweet time (3 days after the specified time) to approve my claim, and I still have not recieved a check. I have not been able to fight I have been and still am very sick. I need to file bankrupcy. Now, I may lose my job because I have exceeded my fmla.
Stress everyday because of no funds. Stress makes neuro diseases much worse. Bankruptcy, lack of food for 3 children. May lose car if I dont gethelp quickly. ..too much stress and sick too. No one to fight these people.
Bonnie of Billerica MA (03/26/08)
I Have been harassed by Metlife, I am also disabled and Metlife continues to put me through hell, so I hired an attorney here in Boston for my appeal. I'm too sick to deal with metlife. I had a hard time finding a lawyer to represent me against a private ins co., everyone does social security. I am definitely in if anyone wants to proceed with a class action suit! We should, so the elderly people and people who are just too sick to deal with it and can't afford a lawyer can get justice and be paid for their hard work and dedication to their companies and or premiums they paid for themselves.
Metlife had 45 day's to review my appeal and then took an additional 45 days, do they think this isn't effecting peoples lives? I have no Insurance, no Income, nothing! Thank goodness for my son's dad (my Ex-husband). I am living with him and he is supporting me. I hope I can pay him something eventually. I often think of the people who don't have what I do have and I'm still suffering.
Due to metlife's report and decision, my company fired me when I didn't return to work on the day metlife told me to, and I lost all my benefits even though I had filed the erisa appeal. I was told that when you file this appeal your not supposed to be fired, however I guess Verizon doesn't have to follow laws rules or regulations. I worked over 11 years there and I have worked since I was 16 and now I'm sick and I get harassed. At least 5 doctors have documented my illness in the past 5 years and I worked with it until I could no longer work and boom, let the paperwork harassment began! Good Luck. My advice hire a lawyer asap!
I have no Income and I would be homeless if my ex didn't take me in. I have lost my self image, my self worth, depression from what Metlife has put me through. Not only do I have to deal with my physical disability, I then had to deal with being harassed constantly while I try to have some kind of life I was left with by my illness. They treat you like dirt and they really don't care, even my doctor complained that metlife was harassing her and her staff constantly, My doctor asked me to maybe forgo metlife and go for social security, because of the harassment, so even my doctor that put me out on disability couldn't deal with them.
Erin of Elk Grove CA (03/24/08)
I have had to deal with MetLife through my employeer, Verizon Wireless, twice within 3 and a half years. My first experience was due to pregnancy. I was taken out by my OB/GYN at 36 weeks gestation, which in California, 36 weeks until time of delivery is qualified for state disability. Well I filed my claim in July of 05 and returned to work October 6, 2005. I never received a denial or approval letter but on December 29, 2005 my HR department brings me down for a final written warning for my Short term disability being denied from July 05 through September 19, 2005. When I gave birth in August. Metlife tells me that being taken out at 36 weeks gestation is not qualified for disability regardless of state regulations. This was hilarious to me since State superceeds federal in this case. Then when I tried to appeal it, it was too late since they state they called me and sent notification, which neither were received, in July and that I was past the 180 days appeal period.
Now I am in my second war with Metlife yet again. I was taken out on February 25, 2008 for disability for high stress anxiety and other complications. I notified Metlife on March 1, 2008. Well I get the paperwork for my Short Term and FMLA one dated 3/3/08 and the other dated 3/4/08. The ST, the paid portion, has a 10 days from date of letter due date while the FMLA, the unpaid portion, has a 15 days from date of letter due date. However I received both packages on Friday 14, 2008 in the afternoon. So on Monday I go to kaiser and submit the forms which will have a 15 business day turn around. So I call Metlife to advise them that I just received the paperwork and that I would need an extension with the due date due to Kaiser's processing. I leave a message with my case manager who calls back the following day and just says to call her.
Along comes payday and I have no pay. Why? Because my case worker denied my claim because no health care provider information was recieved on Monday 3/17/08 even though she did recieve a message. So I have been told once the information is received to fax a dispute letter with my health care provider information and FMLA forms, which won't be ready until April 4th and once recieved MetLife will take 5 business days to review the information and it may be approved. If anything is questionable they may escalate it, which may take up to an additional 45 business days before a conclusion is made. So this leaves me and my 2 children without any money until I return to work or this claim is approved, whichever is sooner. Meanwhile I may be evicted from my apartment that I have lived in for 4 years and mess up my credit score which I was trying to preserve to buy a house for my family, and leave my family hungry and without power or water. And worse of all, my daughter will be kicked out of preschool, since that is not free, and this impacts her educational future which is the future of our world when my generation is no longer here.
Sheila of Adelanto CA (03/19/08)
I am writing because I just can no longer keep silent about the many injustices that Metlife long term disability has been able to do to people and get away with it. I worked for The Home Depot for 14 years. I became disabled in 12-06 and had to get on state disability and then applied for long term disability, and was approved. But now that my state disability has ended and metlife has to pay the full amount, they are now saying that suddenly I am able to work even though the disks in my lower back are shattered, bone on bone and I am, according to my specialist, my physical therapist, and primary Doctor, surgical. Metlife is forcing me to go 60 miles from home to take a test just so that they can get someone to say that I can work in this condition. I can hardly walk. My left leg is totally numb and I paid on this premium for 14 yrs. just so that I would not end up 50, sick and unemployed. Where is the justice for honest people?
I am in constant, chronic, sever pain. I am depressed. and cannot sleep because of the pain. I cannot walk, I cannot stand or sit for long periods. Everyone should refuse to use metlife's services and put them out of business once and for all.
Carl of Grabill IN (03/11/08)
In approx. 2002 I had a massive stroke in Texas. (I live in Indiana) The company I worked for had taken a lifetime disability plan out on me. I had just made it over the waiting period for the policy. I spent over a week in the hospital in a semi comatos state. I am now unable to work due to epilictic seziures from the stroke. Partially blind, lose of memory and some lose of use of the whole right side of my body.
Due to the slow response of Metlife in paying up I have had to file for bankruptcy, I'm gonna lose my house, and my wife left me due to the stress. And now since I am recieving SS they say that what they did pay me was too much. So here it is about 6 year later and Metlife is just about paid off and I am alone and bankrupt. Unable to work and if I was who would hire me? I am gonna have to file for goverment assistance for housing give up my dog my psychistrist wanted me to get so I would have a reason to get up in the morning. The economic and physical damage I can work thru, but how do you put a 'price tag' on your mental and emotional damage this has caused?
Parquitta of Miami Gardens FL (02/10/08)
I was injured in a slip-n-fall incident in a department store on May 15, 2007. Not knowing my injuries, I continued to work. I started experiencing swelling and pain in my foot. I went to the hospital where I was examined and placed in a cast. I had to follow-up with an orthopedic specialist. He ordered an MRI which showed a sprain and tendinitis and knee pain. I started physical therapy in July. During therapy I started to experience radiating pain up my right leg. My doctor ordered a second MRI which showed a herniated disk, nerve damage, and an anular tear. Therapy didn't help, and I was referred to pain management. I've had 3 procedures on my back, and my pain has only increased. I am now referred to an orthopedic surgeon for consultation.
I pay for short-long term insurance at my job. I applied and was given benefits until October. I've been denied benefits since then. I appealed and was denied again. My doctor says I cannot work in my condition. I can't do house chores since the accident. I am a single parent of four; my oldest is in college, and I have to help her, and my mom is also my responsibility. I have no other help. Could you please help me or refer me to the right source?
I'm about to lose my home, my credit is not good, and my daughter is about ready to quit college. I'm physically hurt and mentally and emotionally drained. I've always taken care of my household, and all that has ended. I am just in a miserable state. I hurt every day, all day.
Diana of Sanford ME (01/14/08)
I am 32 years old and have worked for the same company operating bindery machinery, for the past 15 years. In June of 2007 I began having seizures and ended up being hospitalized and almost died. What they determined was that I have a rare disease called Hashimoto's Encephalopathy. I have difficulties walking, sleeping, and sometimes even speaking. At times the swelling in my legs and feet is so bad I can see and feel my skin splitting apart. Add to that the risk of having more seizures at any time. None of my doctors will sign papers allowing me to go back to work at this time; I am disabled.
Now Met Life did start out paying for my short term claim for 10 weeks until August. Then I saw no money from them until November. I called nearly every business day, and they requested more information from my doctor. I also was in constant contact with my doctor about the issue, as well as with my employer. Finally I was sent a check for 11 weeks' worth. With that payment, I was sent paperwork to apply for long term benefits, the deadline being November 21 to get this in. I received the papers on Nov.15th! I got them in regardless, and received a letter the following week stating that my short term benefits were shut off. A few weeks later the long term was denied because I hadn't met the 26 weeks required short term. Why did they need the paperwork in if they already knew it hadn't been 26 weeks?
Now, January of 2008, I have had no disability payments since November 15, 2007. Metlife needs more information. My doctor has faxed and re-faxed almost my entire medical history, but yet it isn't enough. I asked Metlife to fax my doctor exactly the paperwork they needed; my doctor faxed back the completed forms. Metlife says the doctor faxed back the wrong forms, yet Metlife was the one to fax the forms to my doctor. This is too much--how do they expect anyone to begin healing if they need to worry about paying the mortgage or starving?
My mortgage payments are now late, as well as the electric bill; telephone will be shut off soon. I'm starving, and my savings has been totally depleted. I've been selling off my personal items to pay bills, and I haven't got money to pay the deductibles for my medical visits. I call Metlife almost daily and speak with a different person each time who tells me something different about my case. What do I do now?
Norma of Columbus OH (12/26/07)
I became permanently disabled in Aug. 2007. I was on short term payments from my employer's Metlife Disability plan until Sept. 30; then Metlife told me they were stopping my payments. I did what they told me and filed an appeal, and my Dr. also advised them I was disabled. Then I got a phone call from Jill Brown at Metlife who says my appeal is denied because my Dr. said I was not disabled. I was so upset; I didn't know what to do. I called the Dr.'s office and was told it was a lie from Metlife. I was then told no other appeals are allowed. I was so upset and ended up in the emergency room Dec. 5 - Dec. 9, 2007, and now am told the only way to fight for my benefits is a civil action. I don't know how to do that, and if I did know I am too sick to do it or would have a nervous breakdown or die--which is what Metlife probably wants me to do! HELP!
I have no income and am going to end up in the streets; also I cannot handle any stress anymore. The pressure in my chest gets worse everyday over Metlife.
Angela of Chadds Ford PA (12/20/07)
Apparently, I am not the only one who has had a problem with the Met Life disability program. After paying me for approximately 6 months, they have decided my 6 herniated disks of the lumbar spine and degenerative spinal disease is okay, and I can return to work any old time I want to. There are days when all I can do is stay in bed w/ my heating pad and my medication, and even then the pain runs through my body. One of the attorneys I spoke with suggested a class action suit against Met life. I thought it was not a great idea until I read all of the complaints about them on this website. Might not be such a bad idea after all.
I have worked since the age of 14, put myself through college and graduate school, and taught for 29 years and they're playing games for $100.00 a month. Seems silly but when you add it up, it comes to serious money. Their deal is to knock off as many people as they can so they can profit. My deal is I'm still young enough to fight them. Many elderly people are not. This is how they make their money. For every person who does not fight back, that is money in Met Life's pocket. Well, they're not getting mine. I paid for it. I'm so disabled, SSD never even asked me to file an appeal. There is no surgical cure. The damage is too extensive. My life is ruined, and now Met Life wants to piddle around for $100.00 a month. The most ironic thing in this whole matter is I pay Met Life $94.00 a month for life insurance for my husband and myself. So they're giving it to me with one hand, and I'm giving it back with the other. Is Met Life really that stupid, or is it just me?
Met Life has caused emotional distress from having to prove and reprove that I am in the condition I am in, dealing with case managers who have a superior attitude and no medical knowledge, and being deemed suitable to work from a person I've never even seen, nor spoken with. Their Dr. Saad Al-Shathir better go back and read the highlighted part of the MRI report that says disks are in danger of collapse. Nobody calls me a liar after I have been working for 37 years. It's not like I slipped on an orange peel last week. I have 25 years of documentation, and I'm getting every last cent they owe me.... plus!
John of Lenexa KS (12/19/07)
I have chronic Lyme and multiple co-infections. Headaches, fatigue,deep depression, body aches, etc. I worked for Atronic Alarms, Perry Atha, I was a co-owner, 22 years of service. Perry fired me while I was being treated. I tried to go back to work and found that I was unable and started to have more chronic depression, anxiety, adn pain. I have appealed with MetLife and keep getting told that Dr. Carol Ann Ryser, a renowned specialist in chronic pain does not follow protocol. I have filed with Kansas insurance commission but have not gotten to far. I now have Genworth, now Sun Finacial stating that I am not disabled due to Lyme. Each week I seem to have both good, bad, and horrible days both physically and mentally. It also does not help that my employer fired me with out paying commissions, etc.
I have hired attorneys, and now approaching every agency and adcovacy that I can find to get some results.
Terri of Orlando FL (12/11/07)
I went on short term disability in March of 2006, my original diagnosis was clinical depression. In the past year and a half, I've had triple bypass surgery, a subsequent infection of the sternum incission that required debridement of the necrotic tissue. This left a softball sized hole in my upper chest. I had IV antibiotics for 4 continuous months and wore a wound vac for 3 months to close the wound. I was hospitalized in May and July with acute renal failure and was found to have a fractured kidney. Now I have a suspicious lesion on my left kidney and am following up with a nephrologist and urologist surgeon. By the way, I have acute degenerative arthritis in my left ankle, and both knees and suffer from chronic pain daily. Social Security has awarded me permanent disability, but I just received a letter from met life telling me that they have cut off my benefits as I am capable of going back to work. I am diabetic, with nerve damage to my right hand, suffer from anxiety attacks, high blood pressure, and wake every hour screaming in pain. Anyone want to hire me?
It's anyone's guess how long we'll be able to keep paying our mortgage. I am 51 and my dear husband is 60. If he keeps working at this pace to keep us a float, I'm afraid it will shorten his life. Is there no justice for us?
B. of Wichita Falls TX (12/10/07)
Add: Metlife LTD Disability Insurance
Plus: ERISA
Equals: Employees are Screwed!!!!!!!
Facts do not matter. ERISA has sealed the fate of the disabled employee. I am sure Metlife thanks their lucky stars for ERISA everyday. They know as long as ERISA is in place they do not have to worry about paying claims.
I lost everything after dedicating twenty years of my life to my employer.
Joe of Charles Town WV (12/03/07)
I have been getting disability from METLIFE for double hip replacement and osteoarthritis at 60%of my base pay as a police officer. I have been disabiled since 07/11/07.I have to file for social security within 6 months or my benefits will be cut. I have not been disabled for the 6 month time limit, but my benefit has already been cut by the estimated social security amount.
I am unable to work so the small amount of pay I recieve from my disability that I have paid into for the last 17 years is very important as to my survival along with my wife.
New Mom of Columbus OH (11/26/07)
I was eight and a half months pregnant and I was gone on maternity leave. Metlife didn't pay for my maternity leave because they told me that my doctor hadn't put me out work. If that's what they say, then I think metlife expect me to work until my delivery. From what I know, I was suppose to get paid for the maternity leave which the company that I work for has provided us through Metlife.
Linda of Sinking Spring PA (10/29/07)
I went on Medical Leave in April of '07. I have Fibromyalgis, CFS, IBS and Macular Degeneration. My short-term disability benefits were denied. I have run out of money and am applying for food stamps.
I used up my savings and 301K. I am a single mother of 6 and can't support my family any longer.
Mary of Fort Worth TX (10/01/07)
Forced me to go back to work too early 9/17/2007. I had open shoulder torn rotator cuff surgery 8/6/2007. Dr. stated clearly for me to return to work 10/1/2007. I have the paperwork from MetLife stating this. They said they do not tell people when to go back to work. I have requested transcript of phone conversation with this Susan. She is lying, she wanted me to go to work 9/12/2007, I did not know when the doctor had me going back to work, so I assumed that she spoke with the doctor, which she did not. She said, well I guess I can give you until the 17th.
I went back to work way too early and I have suffered horrible pain and since now I don't have my STD, I am using vacation days for Physical Therapy etc. I cried at night, my arm hurt so bad and no relief. I want money for an MRI to see if damage has been done and I want money for pain and suffering.
Joe of Charles Town WV (09/19/07)
I was a police officer until July 13, 2007.I got osteoathritis in both hips and had to have both replaced and am not able to return as a police officer. I filed for LTD with Metlife. The Metlife rep. called me and tried to get me to say I could go back to work as a police officer against my doctors advice. Metlife now states they need more documentation from my doctor.
I am now out of a job and in therapy for the hip replacements and have no income do to disability and am still waiting after 3 months on METLIFE.
John of Colorado Springs CO (05/05/07)
I became disabled on 18 March 2007, due to a acute achilles tendon rupture.
I contacted Laura, on 2 April asking about payment for short term disability and she assured me that payment was to be sent. Now here it is on 4 May 2007 and I still have not received any short term disability payments. This is after no less then THREE more phone calls to Laura, each time she has assured me that a payment has been sent. I'm now behind on ALL of my bills. Bottom line is don't listen to MetLife case worker personnel.
Randall of Fulton NY (12/02/06)
Three years ago I had a major heart attack and double by pass surgery. I attempted to go back to work however due to the heart attack a major part of my heart was damaged and I could not work any longer. My doctors (cardiologist, internists) have stated I am permantly disabled and I left my job. Under the insurance I have through my company I can receive part of my life insurance. This is through Metlife insurance. I sent in all paperwork from two different doctors and received both a verbal and written approval from Metlife. For two weeks we believed we would receive money that would assist us until my SSD appeal came up.
Well one of Metlife's representatives, Pam, called and stated the approval was an error and I was not approved. When I addressed this with the woman and stated I have written documentation as well as a list of metlife employees stating this was approved, Pam began screaming at me (my wife heard the entire conversation) stating I need to get over it and the letter means nothing!! In addition to this when I initially talked to Pam she stated in the computer it does state the approval, however by the next day no approval existed. When I spoke to other reprsentatives they said no approval existed, obviously Pam erased the approval.
Now Pam states although they received all required paperwork for the claim The nurse whomever this is states she needs more medical information. Supposely the necessary papers were mailed more then a week ago, however we have not received them.
This has caused my family financial destruction. Our home and car are a few weeks away from repossession, we can't have christmas for our sons. My son's front tooth is broken and we cannot afford to fix it so he goes to school humilated. I cannot afford my health insurance much longer which I then will not be able to afford my heart medication. We owe great sums of money to our family due to them helping us get buy. How can one company destroy so many peoples lives and get away with it?
Lou of Toms River NJ (11/10/06)
I read many of the complaints about Metlife but this one may never get printed because our Technology is moving much faster than our Privacy Laws. I have had two cervical fusions with the majority of my neck fused. I was told by the top ranked surgeon in the Hospital for special surgery, I should seek long term disibility. I kept working because I was making well over 100,000 a year and the chronic pain was getting worse but I had a great career, (almost 30 years with Sears) and ranked in the top 5% in performance as a Director of stores.
I was only 46 years old and had to get my children through college, mortgage, car and all the other bills we all have to pay. I kept working even though my medical history was more than enough to get approved for Metlife LTD. In August of 2005, I could no longer take the pain so I had to go out on Short Term and then Long Term disability. Metlife immediately approved me because my medical records indicated I was 100% disabled. I hated to leave my Dream job but my Surgeon's all told me I would be in wheel chair in 5 years if I kept working.
My issue is not that Metlife won't pay me.
How would you like to have constant harrassment of Metlife Private Investigators following you to the doctors? How about tapping into my ONSTAR system after I reported the constant PI's parked by my home with their tinted windows. Neighbors telling you that the same vehicles are always driving up and down my culdasack? Having Onstar send you e-mails notifying you that your RED LIGHT on your ONSTAR unit in your car is a Data communication interuption that will cause your airbags to fail to deploy? When the Pi's knew that I was reporting them to Metlife for harrassing me and my family they could no longer prk near my house or follow me so what do they do.... They Illegally tap into my GPS system to follow me or whoever is driving my car.
Tammy of Wilton IA (03/12/06)
MetLife covered me for disability Insurance from my former Employee. In May of 2004 I was sent a letter from MetLife stating my disability Insurance coverage was being canceled. MetLife stated at the time my Psychiatrist had stated in his last notes I was able to return to work. I said at the time that was not true and preceded to try and get my disability reinstated. My Psychiatrist asked me on one occasion If I felt I could return to work, My answer was no. My doctor stated he was only doing his job by asking me questions to see my reaction. And that he does this with every one of his clients.
My Doctor said they used his words to their own benefit to be able to stop my disability payments. I had to leave the company on medical leave due to a complete break down from what had happen to me during my employment. I have not been able to return to any work at this time and am now receiving SSI. My Doctor states he does not know if I will ever be able to return to any job due to what happen at my last employer.
January 1st 2004, Within 7 months after MetLife canceled my disability payments my home went in foreclosures. I was approved in July 2005 for SSI and was given a check for back support; I was able to pay the home mortgage a portion of the back due. I am now making up past dues with my monthly house payments. I do not know for how long I can keep these payments up monthly. I have tried to search for an attorney to help me for almost two years now, with no results. Every attorney I speak with states I can only get 13 months of back payment, and it’s not worth his or her time.
I do not understand how MetLife can be allowed to let this happen to me without being liable for all my suffering due to them canceling me wrongfully.
Edward of Pensacola FL (03/07/06)
In December 2005 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and opted for radical prostatectomy. Surgery was initially scheduled for 23 January 2006 but postponed to 13 February 2006. (A small non-related bladder tumor was found which required removal prior to the prostatectomy) I made arrangements with the HR rep at my employer to complete the required forms for short term disability; anticipating a total of 4 weeks away from work including 1 week vacation time and 3 weeks disability.
I am retired Navy and had the surgery performed at the Navy Hospital in Pensacola. As soon as I returned home from 4 days hospitalization, I had mail waiting from MetLife, seems they were unable to obtain required information from the doctor. I have made a number of phone calls to MetLife and the hospital to try and get things coordinated. At one point, I went back to the hospital to again fill out an authorization to release medical information. Note that this was while I was supposed to be recuperating...at the time I went to the hospital regarding the form I was in moderate pain, having difficulty walking and most likely legally intoxicated on Percocet.
Upon returning home, I called MetLife to let them know 1) that the form was signed and 2) the name, phone and fax number of the contact person in the hospital. Two days after completing the form, I received a call from MetLife, asking for contact information for the hospital. I was surprised, as I had already given this information to MetLife.
On 6 March 2006, I received a letter informing me that since I had not supplied required information, my claim was closed as of February 11, 2006. I have a prejudiced opinion regarding insurance companies in general and any company selected by my employer in particular, so I was financially prepared for this. I cannot imagine the hell my wife would be going through had I died during surgery. Regarding that, it was successful, I'm cancer free now but that's the only good thing to come out of this so far.
Meretta M. Gerald of Hattiesburg MS (01/21/06)
I was denied STD benefits. I lost my home, my SUV, my credit was destroyed. I was homeless.
Russell of Cambridge NE (01/05/06)
I was placed on Short Term Disability with MetLife in November of 2004. I applied for Long Term Disability and they determined my condition was pre-existing. I fought it with appeals then letters to the State insurance commissioner. MetLife responded that if I gave them more information they would reconsider it. I got the information and they promptly replied that their original decision sticks and they wouldn't reconsider. I had to write the Commonwealth of Virginia's Insurance Commissioner then Metlife decided it's not pre-existing but now they want proof that I've been under continuous care. I lost my car, home and insurance because they wouldn't pay so I got the best care I could afford but I'm sure they'll find some reason to deny my claim again.
Dennis of Hamilton NJ (11/24/05)
I worked as a factory worker (laborer) for the same company for over 25 years, I am only 44 years old. I went out on short term disability in Feb, 2005. For influenza B and pnemonia/bronchitis. I was out of work for some time for this. When I tried to return to work, I was sent back to my PCP, by the company doctor. NO WORK! I became very week, and was taking Darvaset for lower back and upper back pain.
Tests/Ct's/MRI's show that there is a problem in my upper and lower back, and I also just had to have a deep mass removed from my right shoulder and lower back that was very painful. I'm now going through a living HELL, trying to satisfy MetLife LTD. I've sent them all my PCP's notes/tests and even sent them back the statment they wanted filled out from my surgeon. They keep saying WE NEED TO KNOW!
This is the first time I ever had to go from STD-LTD. In 25 years. They are making me feel like a criminal for just being sick.
Georges of Surprise AZ (10/09/05)
I have been fighting MetLife Disability for the last ten years. I have been through the claims review and denials process (27) twenty-seven times. My claim started in 1995 and I have been through at least like I said, 27 reviews, 10 denials, 3 terminations of benefits, 2 appeals, one lawsuit, which I thought returned my benefits permanently, since I got accepted for Social Security at the same time, and just three months later I am going through all these reviews all over again.
I currently get SSDI, but Metlife started recently sending my doctors videotapes of me doing little things and saying I was never disabled, so watch out people. Does this mean that MetLife is more powerful than the government? I don't know. I do know that they will do ANYTHING to get rid of your claim.
In 1999 one of their Case supervisors actually called me and told me I had two choices. Go to NY and submit to their doctors and have a morphine implant pump installed, so I could go back to work, or else. After I said no, they hired an the attorney to get my SSDI benefits, which lowered their monetary output in benefits to me. Now they only pay half. Don't think you'll be able to keep all that cash if you get your SSDI benefits either. I had to pay MetLife back 13k dollars once I got my SSDI. Overpaid benefits they call them, and why am I 18k dollars in debt now? MetLife is the answer.
O. J. of Chandler AZ (09/25/05)
I work for Honeywell who uses MetLife for short term disability. I had pneumonia and was off work for 3 weeks. MetLife denied my claim for 2 weeks of STD. I fought them and finally got it. The pneumonia turned into Valley Fever. I was told by my family doctor and a pulmanologist that I could work 4 to 6 hours a day. MetLife's "nurse" who is over 2,000 miles away and never met me said I'm okay to work a full shift. Believe me I was not able to do that at all.
I returned to work full time on Sep 8th. When I was sick I would get very tired and coughed a lot. I slept about 12 hours a day. I was unable to do anything but sleep and go to work. My wife had to do all the work around the house, run errands, care for the cars, handle social duties, etc. These people say I was not sick. They think I'm trying to scam them. I have never cheated or scamed anyone in my life.
I can get several hundred people to vouch for my character if need be. But, I cannot find anyone that will say MetLife is fair and honest. Two other people that I work with are going through the same thing with them right now. Honeywell HR people say that MetLife should be taking care of the hours I was not able to work, but all they do is make my life miserable. MetLife keeps using the lie that they never got anything from my doctors, but when I checked with them, they have records of faxes sent to them.
Another wrinkle: I called their 800 number and I talked to a lady in Warwick, RI, but she said my case worker was in Conn. However, all mail I've received and things I have mailed to them was a Lexington, KY address.
Reshee of Minneapolis MN (07/11/05)
I had a major surgery, June 17th. I was in hospital. I regained consciousness / some control on June 23rd, when I called MetLife, to give me SHORT term disability for 7 weeks as per my doctor advice. I am very careful/meticulous person, and asked MetLife to give me all documents if any, urgently and if i could download to speed up process. However, MetLife took its time, one week to just mail me the consent/authorization to proceed.
Metlife continued to send me piece-meal information one by one, to delay my claim and make the process so frustrating that i just stop persuing my claim. It has been 3 weeks now, and I have spent 3 weeks in torture dealing with MetLife. They took wrong information, not what I gave them, and then they gave me different reasons to make me drop my claim. I have been very sick, and it has been very difficult at this time of my weakness to deal with Metlife.
I would not ever like to deal or think about MetLife. They have really made me go through a very tough time. Some of their agents even smirkingly and mockingly talked, I find it hard to forgive MetLife, for making me go through this hell. They finally approved my case for 5 days, rather than 7 weeks, saying that the doctor provided insufficient documentation. My doctor has been very clear, but they just needed some reason to deny my claim and rather than denying, they insulted me, by 5days/1 week, disability.
I wish them bad luck, and I wish, that my agent, Jenniffer W goes through same hell, as she made me go through. I always though Short term disability is a protection for me, but it became my nightmare.
Robert of Huntington Beach CA (05/23/05)
Two years ago my wife became ill and had to quit working. At first everything was going fine then out of the blue MetLife decided that they didn't like our the diagnosis of my wife’s board certified MD, PhD, JD and that their nurse practitioner knew better. They reversed our original approval and denied our claim out right. We appealed and provided them all documentation requested. We were denied again because we did not provide specific documentation that MetLife specifically told us they did not need.
At this point we are a year into this fiasco and MetLife has still refused to provide even 25% of the documentation required by full disclosure laws and there is strong evidence that they have placed all of my wife’s medical records in the public domain and with absolutely no remorse declared it was irrelevant as they were not bound by any of the hippa rules as they are an insurance company and not doctors. After involving the DOL MetLife finally provided us a copy of our policy. After further review of the policy and what tiny amount of documentation they did provide us we found a number of glairing omissions and outright lies they so kindly documented for us and they agreed to another appeal of our case.
No surprise we were denied again but the reasoning for it was at least entertaining. My wife is being treated by a rheumatologist and her claim was denied because she had not either attempted to kill herself or anyone else. Heck if we had known that was the criteria for accepting the claim we might have visited the MetLife claims office and saved all of us quite a bit of trouble. As this is an ARISA policy even if we sue MetLife only has to pay us what they owe us at the time of the judgment.
All attorneys we have consulted with want 40%+ of the total value of the policy so essentially we could very well sue and win and end up with a net negative. My wife was making 100K at the time she became ill. At this time we are at the end of our savings and our patience.
Keesha of Columbia SC (4/7/05):
On Feb. 28, I had ankle surgery. On the documents from my doctor, it clearly stated that I would be out for surgery, return to work and then need physical therapy. From that date I was fighting to receive coverage so that I would be able to make my appointments. I had to fight to get short-term disability. Due to this, I am in jeopardy of losing my job.
I am still under doctor's care and constantly having to fill out papers for the same issue over and over. Due to the stress, I am losing my hair and am not able to get well from the surgery.
Joann of Jacksonville FL (4/5/05):
I became disabled on Sept 18, 2004 and started collecting Short Term Disability. There is a 90-day waiting period to become eligible for Long Term Disability which would have made me eligible for LTD on/about Dec 18, 2004. It is now Apr 5, 2005 and I am still collecting STD. For some reason, I was told LTD does not become active until April 2005.
There are 4 months that I SHOULD HAVE been collecting LTD. The Rep I am working with is GREAT, however, I think Metlife doesn't know what they're doing. I have been asked for the same info over and over. Also, I received a package from Metlife which was for United Airlines employees and I never worked for them. I asked my Rep why I received it and he said "sorry, wrong package was sent out". It's not the first time, they have gotten the information .
I am a single woman with only one relative who lives in a different state. I am self-supporting and I don't want to lose my home because MetLife is screwing up. All I want is want I am entitled to!
Steve of Interlachen FL (3/28/05):
I went on short term disability on March 1 2005 because of a motor vehicle accident. Here it is the end of March and no check. Ok so they had so trouble reading the doctor's writing, then they obviously lost some of the information the doctors have faxed to them because I personally have spoken to 9 different people there. One time they say they have all the information. The next day they'll say they need sonething else! Absolutely ridiculous!
The bottom line is they know they have a man, verified disabled by a physcian, and the HR person at work knows I'm out of work with no money coming in. C'mon Metlife, DO THE RIGHT THING! I have broken out with Shingles, there is no money coming in from that insurance company I paid a premiunm for.
Nadaleen of Painesville Twp OH (3/17/05):
My wife had a motor vehicle accident on 12/15/04, she was hit broadside in the driver side door. She has 3 cervical bulging disk in her neck (disk 3/4/5). My wife is has severe pain and it radiates out to her shoulders. She limited range of motion in her neck and wakes up with headaches on many mornings. My wife has both short term and long term disability. Metlife only spoke with my wife 1 time early on and after that all communication was initiated by my wife.
My wife left voicemail after voicemail, none of the calls were ever returned. I would eventually call her case worker Kathleen S. and she would call me back at work. Then my wife would go through the same routine and making several calls and getting no return calls, again it would take a call from myself to get a response from her case worker. My wife was in physical therapy (and still is); the doctor did not feel my wife was ready to go back to work at the time and advised her not to go back until work until 3/1/05 at which time he would re-evaluate her. I faxed the doctors note over to Kathleen at Metlife and called her up to make sure she received it. I wanted to make sure that everything was ok and there would be no lapse in pay for my wife.
Kathleen gave me her personal assurance there would be no lapse in pay. I stressed I had a mortgage, car payment and kids to feed and wanted no mistakes. I was reassured that everything would be fine. My wife received a call from her human resource rep at her employer on 2/17/05. She advised she was concerned because she had not heard or had my wife's claim certified for the new pay period. She advised she must have it certified by Monday 2/21/05 by 4:00pm or they could not pay my wife. My wife called Kathleen 3 more times and again received any calls back. My wife left voicemails indicating that her employer must have certification by 4:00pm 2/21. No return call or no contact was made by Kathleen to my wife's employer.
I called Kathleen again on 2/25/05 at 9:08am and left a voicemail for a return call re: claim. My wife's pay date of March 3, 2005 came and went, my wife was not paid. I called and left another message for Kathleen, she was not in so I spoke with another case worker Jessell x2495 I advised that communication has been awful with Kathleen and she was not returning my wife's calls and it would take multiple calls to get a return call to myself. (Communcation is terrible) Jessell made some attempts to help me but had to leave a message for Kathleen to call me back. I requested that Kathleen's supervisor call me back. A request was put in. Meanwhile I spoke with my wifes employer HR and was advised that Met had denied my wife's claim.
She asked if we were notified. I advised we were not, the rep was surprised. I then went on to give complete details of the fiasco we have been going through with communication (lack of) lost paperwork etc. The HR rep advised my wife was not alone that they have had major issues with Metlife and they were dropping them as their carrier as of 3/1/05 for similar performance issues. I was reassured this was not an isolated case.
Nadaleen is still in lot of pain. We depend on 2 incomes to meet our mortgage, car payment, utiltiy bills, groceries. We only have my income at the moment and and are being stretched to the limit financially and emotionally. Nadaleen is currently out of work until 4/1/04 by order of her doctor at which time she will be re-evaluated. Metlife is forcing my wife to go back to work for financial reasons whether she is ready to go back or not.
Thomas of Happy Jack AZ (1/12/05):
My wife in 1969 was diagnosed with Crohn's and irritable bowel disease (IBD). It was successfully treated and went into remission in the late 70's. She went to work for Honeywell in the early 80's and she took out short and long term disability policies in 2001. In July 2003 she almost died when her Crohns and IBD flared up after almost 25 years in remission. Two major surgeries in 6 months, plus constant bouts of diarrhea (15 to 20 emergency bowel movements per day, inability to control her bowels, ruined clothing, gas that is impossible to control or ignore), have left her barely able to look after herself on good days, and unable to all the others.
I have had to quit my full-time job (26 years with the same employer) and take part time work to be able to assist my wife, and maintain our home. When she became ill, Metlife paid the 6 months of short term disability, and switched to long term in Dec.2003. In Nov.2004 we were informed that her benefits were being terminated because THEIR doctors, who have never examined my wife, decided she was fit to return to work.
We appealed this decision, and went to her specialist (the best gastroenterologist in Arizona according to several state and national publications). He faxed them a letter stating that there was no way on this earth that she was able to return to work and face the daily stress her job entails. There 45 days to answer the appeal stretched to 60 days before they again denied her claim. Our family income has gone from $80k to $15K a year and with the cost of prescriptions she has to have to survive, we are in DEEP trouble.
SSA has granted a disability award to her, but after 6 months have been unable to process the award, or start payments. I cannot understand why, after reading the horror stories, someone hasn't been able to litigate these fine people into bankruptcy.
After 2 months with almost no income, our savings are almost gone, and we will have to start drawing from our retirement funds. With the added stress of financial problems, my wife is suffering from almost constant diarrhea, cramps and nausea. She has to live within a few steps of a bathroom, and can no longer drive herself to the doctor for appointments, making my presence even more important.
Unless this can be brought under control, I am afraid the consequences are going to be unthinkable. Personally, due to the financial stress and uncertainty about the outcome of my wife's condition, I haven't slept more than 3 hour at one time in months, and my mood and disposition truly stink!
No one has litigated these companies into oblivion because they are protected by the state legislatures and insurance commissions they spend so much time and money caring for while their customers suffer.
Robert of Apopka FL (3/2/04):
I filed for LTD 28. Metlife kept stating they never got paper work from my doctors, Then I had my doctors resend all my medical records again - more delay! Then an independent medical consultent made false statments on my medical records review and I was denied LTD 28. DR. G. MADE FALSE STATEMENTS ON AN INSURACE DOCUMENT and my doctors signed statements to the fact that he lied on the documents! Still no word from Metlife on my appeal.
I have lost everthing i have ever owned, have had to be hospitilized because of major depression, can no longer buy medication, can no longer afford to go to a doctor because of the lies Dr. G. placed on an insurance document.
"B" of Fountain Hills AZ writes (6/24/03):
MetLife sucks. They say certain of my problems are pre-existing and they say that they can say certain medical conditions are pre-existing forever. Certain of my problems are NOT pre-existing and how can they get away with this?
The following scenario is not my issue but I bet it has happened. For instance what if you had a heart attack in 1995, had corporate insurance medical and disability and were covered, and you recover. Then you get offered some great new corporate job opportunity with supposedly better benefits, and you take it. Pretend it happened in February 2002 but then sadly, you experience a massive heart attack in June 2002, a few months after starting the new job, and need a by-pass. MetLife can and WILL say your heart attack is preexisting and not pay you disability. This is a bunch of b.s. That people that work and are told they have benefits end up on WELFARE. I think METLIFE is HORRIBLE. I don't understand this.
David of Akron writes (10/22/02):
Today makes seven months (March 22nd, 2002) since I received acknowledgment that I filed for my entitled Shell Benefits Long Term Disability Plan from MetLife Disability, and over a year and a half since I’ve been on total permanent disability.
I went on permanent disability on March 4th, 2001. Through work I qualified for 13 weeks full pay followed by 39 weeks half pay from Shell plus one quarter pay from MetLife under the IPI (Income Protection Insurance Plan). That was one of my elected benefits paid for under payroll deduction. MetLife subsequently acknowledged and paid those benefits. Following the directions of the folks at Shell Benefits I filed for SSA Disability on December 5th, 2001. I received my SSA Disability Award retroactive to October 2001 in May of 2002.
Also under the directions of Shell Benefits I filed for a Disability Pension from them and for my MetLife LTD (Long Term Disability, also one of my elected benefits paid for under payroll deduction) within the time frame they specified. I received my Shell Disability Pension effective May 1st, 2002. I am still waiting for my LTD from MetLife. Outline of complaint: Because of the forced change in my health care provider on the January 1st, 2002 (Dr. David L. Jackson/SUMMA) by Shell Oil Company Flexible Benefits Division, MetLife would not accept the medical diagnoses and documentation of Dr. Jackson even despite my subsequent SSA Disability Award and Shell Disability Pension Award, and regardless of the fact that I paid out of pocket for his services and the fact he was still the steward of my medical records at the time of filing the claim.
Also, I had been off on disability under Dr. Jackson’s care since April 4, 2001 during which time MetLife paid me 39 weeks Income Protection Insurance. Now they won’t accept the same findings for the Shell Benefits Long Term Disability Plan (?!). Since MetLife insisted I start all over again with a new primary care physician under the new health care provider (Dr. Leo D. Clavecilla/Kaiser Permanente) it is my contention that they failed to allow me ample time to provide the proper documentation before denying my claim. Because of their ambiguous instructions and wording and reluctance to return calls, I am still not fully aware of just what documentation or forms they require to prove the validity of my claim!
I have now sent them EVERYTHING I have with my appeal letter (certified mail September 5th, 2002/recpiet returned to me September 12th), including copies I requested from SSA of my medical evaluations and all the new medical records I’ve been forced to generate and complete. I have had no response at this date other than a letter stating my appeal was under review. I called on Friday October 18th, 2002 and after again going through their phone maze was informed by an operator (Terri) that Randall Hightower was no longer my case worker and that Christopher Drzata (SP?) was now my contact. She put a message in his Voice Mailbox but as usual I have not received a response. I filed a complaint with the ODI (Ohio Department of Insurance) at their web site on September 23rd, 2002. I received an acknowledgement letter from Michael Davis; Complaint Analyst dated October 4th, 2002 stating that a copy of the complaint was sent to MetLife with a request for an explanation of their actions.
MetLife’s refusal to accept my doctor’s documentation at the time of filing has forced me to under go the whole process again and caused me more suffering, unnecessary exams and X-rays and put me through further risk and aggravation of my condition. Forcing me to file again under a new doctor and their refusal to accept the finding of SSA in my Disability Award not to mention my Disability Pension from Shell Oil (the Policyholder and Benefit Provider who I paid through payroll deductions for the policy) hints of at the least an attempt to prolong honoring my entitled benefits and at the worst blatant bad faith.
I have suffered financial losses. Undo stress and loss of sleep, which has aggravated my condition. Unnecessary physical pain and suffering from undergoing tests and X-rays again that had already been done before.
David should find the best and most aggressive attorney in the Akron area who handles disability and similar claims. Akron is a strong union town and there must be several good trial lawyers who go to bat for working men and women in situations like these. There is too much at stake for David to continue trying to handle this himself. He is outgunned by a large, ruthless company that will relentlessly grind him down.
Katghleen of Farmingdale NY (2/11/03):
Injured in a motor vehicle accident, went on short-term disability, then to long-term. Once on long term I was advised that I must file for S.S. I did, I won and now that I am on S.S., they decided that I no longer met the criteria for their disability as outlined by my employer. Incidently Blue Cross Blue shield literally harrassed me day after day if the MD's or other professionals didn't have the proper paperwork sent to the medical director of my employer, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield.
My job with Empire was an emergency telephone nurse triage! In the meantime I became a widow, I sought help through a psychiatrist who literally said I was a mess. Who wouldn't be? Meantime Metlife found nothing wrong with me after their medical consultants reviewed my case, I just recieved the denial.
They also claim they never recieved my forms from my cardiologist in November. I wonder why they seem to loose everything, perhaps because they don't try to find out what is happenning in the mailroom? I have letters attached to my denial that were obviously meant for someone else. Metlife had changed my case manager several times, they also said they had several positions that I would meet or fulfill to return to work.
I questioned the legal aspect of me a licensed professional on controlled substances making medical decisions; would you want me to give you medical advice or to care for your family under the influence? I would certainly hope not, yet Metlife never addressed that in the denial, they said I can no longer appeal, so all I can do is file a complaint.
JoAnne of Brooklyn NY (10/28/02):
I am a registered nurse. I was able to work up until Oct. of 1996. I started on disability with Metlife which I recieved through my job. After 4 years they dropped me claiming I made a trip to Utah to stay with my son for a while and if I was able to travel I could work. They also said that I was showing cats and if I could do that I could work. This was misinformation. My daughter was showing cats. They also claimed that they were now, after 4 years, viewing my case as SSD would review it, meaning that I can not do my job but whether or not I could ANY job. I sent them numerous doctors' letters stating that I can not work either full or part time. Up till then I had been denied by SSD. I appealed but they denied it.
I then had to go on welfare. The stress and strain of applying for welfare and having to travel to different places for them has made my condition worse. Standing on lines and sitting in welfare offices for hours and hours increased my pain and pain control is very difficult to obtain in my condition. Since then, I have received my SSD and want to regain my disability benefits esp. since I believe that I was dropped unfairly to begin with. I can not live on the $822.00 that I will be recieving from SSD. I need the sublementary income from Metlife to survive. I worked for 9 years and paid for this insurance to protect myself for just this kind of event since I am alone and can only count on myself to survive financially.
Glenn of Palmyra NJ writes (7/23/02):
About 12 weeks ago I had a cva on the left side of the brain causing me to go on disability. At first I applied for temporary disability. As time went by I needed to extend that time. My primary doctor at first faxed the wrong form. Now the specialist took over. On July 17,2002 Dr. Janoff faxed the correct form. Six days later my wife and I called Metlife to find out if they got the form. They told us the form never got there.
We then called Dr. Janoff and asked him to re-fax it. Again we called Metlife. Lori Smith told us the papers got there. About an hour later she called back to tell me that the cover letter got there but the papers attached to it were from my family doctor. Now this is not possible because my primary doctor and the specialist do not work in the same building, they're not even close to one another. Because of my speech problem (due to the cva) my wife usually calls, but today I had to call. Lori (a Met-life representative) was rude to me. She acted like I was talking wrong to her on purpose.
Due to the screw-ups this company has made, I have been without pay for over five weeks and maybe longer. I have a wife and two teenage girls at home that need to be taken care of. We are now at risk of losing our home and utilities.
Rhonda of Coldwater MI (8/13/02):
I paid through my paycheck weekly for almost fourteen years for LTD benefits through my employer, Voltek. I have currently been taken off work because of back and arm injuries that are work related, since 4-03-02. I am fighting in workers' comp court but haven't been to trial yet. I filed a "charge" against my employer after being served a termination notice because of work restrictions. I do fall under the ADA and have documented harrassment that I endured while trying to do my job.
I ended up going on leave because of stress and pain that I was experiencing because of what my employer put me through. I drew STD for ninety days and assumed I would receive LTD after my ninety-day elgibility period which was to commence on my ninety-first day of disability. I assumed this would supplement my income until workers comp case was settled. I received my last STD paycheck at the end of July. I filed for LTD on July 11th. The Insurance Company (MetLife) has continued to request information that I already sent them (because I have everything prepared for court) and tried to stall this process needlessly.
They even tried to get information from doctors who are not treating me at this time and told me I had to pay for all copies and make sure they receive this information within five days. I informed them that I was to only give them reports from my attending physician and have a paper that states that. I told them if they needed to further their investigation, then it would be at their cost. I also found out that some people are put on this on their ninety-first day and some (at employer's discretion) are either denied or have to wait another ninety days.
We don't find this out until we are injured and can not work anymore. We do not have available to us an "Employee Benefit Booklet" that tells us what the provisions of the policy are. I have requested this so that I may discuss this with an attorney and was told they don't have one yet. I do feel that Voltek misrepresents this insurance to its employees and we are paying for a benefit that doesn't exsist.
I have not received any income since the last week of June. I am a single mother who has a child that is five years old. I am receiving no support for her either. I had to move in with a companion so that my daughter who is 21 years old could rent my house and pay the utilities. She is having a hard time doing this. I don't go back to court over the workers' comp until October of this year. I have no money to pay my bills. This has really upset me especially since I paid for this benefit for almost fourteen years that I worked for this company. Because I have some serious work-related injuries I am nothing to them anymore. Dealing with these injuries is stressful enough and not being able to work has already made these injuries worse. Not getting any income only adds to all this and I am very upset!
Charles of Manteca, CA writes (4/28/02):
I have been disabled since June 2000 and filed for Long Term Disability benefits. After a great struggle, MetLife paid 8 months. My health became worse and but Metlife refuses to pay any more. As soon as I comply with a request they impose yet another requirement. After I fulfill that requirement, they impose another requirements or discount the documentation they asked for.
When calling their 800 number, as soon as I identify myself (via social security number) the representative disconnects my call. They do not respond to my correspondence within the legally required timeframe. I have complained to the State of California Insurance Commissioners office and other entities to no avail. I filed a small claims action for one month of benefits and Met filed a continuance.
I have gone with no other income since Metlife last paid through 7/31/01 which has caused me to liquidate retirement assets and creating all-around financial hardship. I’ve had to take cash advances from my credit cards. Last week Metlife forced me to take a FCE test 65 miles away from my home - two days in a row – a test I already took by a local certified PT which they now refuse to reimburse ($565). Commuting the 130-mile round trip was very painful, tremendously elevating my blood pressure. I have difficulty sleeping at night which adds more discomfort. This has also impacted the quality of my marriage.
Randall of Little Suamico WI (3/3/03):
I have been off work from the start of Jan. I used up 2 and a half weeks of my vacation because of major back pain. Technically I have been off work since Feb. 5 2003. The doctor diagnosed me with spina bifida acculta. The forms went to Metlife but thay dragged their feet. Thay sent me a letter saying my claim would be closed because thay did not recive info on my claim. So I called and found out It was a lie. She did recive info from my work and the doctor. Then she said the doctor's info was incomplete. Since then I still have not received anything, and I had the forms resent.
I am 42 years old, I have been paying taxes for 27 years. I have worked at the same job for 14 years. I am out of money, I am in pain. I can't pay for my prescription for pain relief. I have a 10-month-old daughter and am out of formula. I have enough food for 3 more days. I am getting very frustrated.
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