The Hartford Disability Insurance Reviews

Now exactly 1 month after my wife's Social Security Disability Hearing, The Hartford Insurance Company has closed her case and will no longer pay her monthly payment! Stating she no longer meets THEIR DEFINITION OF DISABLED! Evidently a Neurologist with 10 plus years of education and 10 plus years of practice along with a psychiatrist statement proving my wife cannot function in the work force is not considered DISABLED! Who gives these idiots the right to judge whether or not someone is disabled over physicians? So many people have been done this way and it's time to take a stand and correct this injustice. Am I pissed? Yes I am! People work hard to maintain the american dream. It's time for the Government to step in and tell these insurance companies to get a grip.

From November 22 through Dec 30, I received only ONE payment in the amount of $270. I have repeatedly called the Hartford. I have sent them my Work Status reports with the diagnosis from the Physician, and they keep telling me that they need the actual doctor's notes from my medical records in order to make additional payments. This is the same documentation used by the State of California, and other insurance companies to pay claims, but it is not good enough for the HartfordAtWork. I keep getting the run around and they have continuously denied my short-term disability claim for the time that I was off work (22 Nov-30 Dec), saying that my surgery does not qualify for their disability.

I am mentally exhausted from dealing with them. I realize that this is only about 5.5 weeks of payments and if I have to get an attorney, they will then have to pay my attorney fees. It doesn't make any sense. Why are they putting so much effort into denying a claim that is only worth about $1200? This is ridiculous! Their time spent denying the claim is worth more than that!

The Hartford claims rep claims that he has been in contact with my provider Kaiser Permanente of California and they refuse to provide him with notes from my medical records. (Notes??? The diagnosis is written on the Work Status report, why do they require additional notes? Under HIPPA, I don't think they are required to provide any more than that without written consent, which the Hartford has never requested from me). It is not rocket science, surgery that required weight bearing restrictions for proper healing should be enough.

As of 15 January 2015, I plan on faxing about 50 pages of documentation to the Hartford and flooding their fax machine with pictures of my foot, work status reports, and surgery orders, doctors follow up report etc. I hope they have a wonderful time reading all this. I would not recommend the Hartford for short, long term, earthquake, auto, home, or any other type of insurance at this point and as soon as I get my finances in order I will be cancelling all of the policies I have with them. Over $5000 in policy coverage. (The Hartford is denying a $1200 short-term disability worth losing $5000 in additional coverage? What a great decision). I expect that if they won't pay on a $1200 disability claim, I would hate to deal with the Hartford on my home, auto, or earthquake policies. What's is wrong with this company? Consumer's stay away from the Hartford... Run and run fast.

I hope I don't have to get an attorney over this...this is stressing me out. I'm really glad the holidays are over, because my finances were really stressful during this time. The Hartford needs to get their act together. No one should have to deal with this type of treatment.

Before I had my stroke, In October 2012, I was very active, my work day starting at 8:30 am to anywhere from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. Most days, I was the only employee in the store, behind an inch of bullet proof glass, and we were not allowed to leave throughout the work day. There were no lunch breaks, or even breaks at all. We had to be physically fit to be on our feet all day long. Although my family has a history of arthritis, I kept the aches and swelling under control with Ibuprofen.

After my stroke, it was as if nothing in my body worked correctly anymore. My whole body seems to hurt all over all the time. My doctor was Kathryn ** before my stroke. She referred me to an internist, Dr. Monica **. Dr. ** was concerned about all the pain and swelling, and she referred me to a Rheumatologist, Dr, **. He initially diagnosed me with Psoriatic Arthritis, then AS (Ankylosing Spondylitis). Both are progressive forms of arthritis, especially if not treated. Insurance companies require the doctor to start with the least expensive treatment. In my case, Dr. ** put me on Methotrexate (a cancer drug), folic acid, and prednisone. I was already taking my blood pressure meds, symvastatin, pills to help me control my pee, and an aspirin in the morning. Here I am in constant pain, and nothing is working. My hair is coming out by the handfuls, and the Methotrexate triggered my psoriasis to come back, although I had it under control since my 20's, and now I'm 59 and have one more inconvenience.

Health insurance has been a huge problem and a huge issue when I went to LTD. ACE was no longer paying for my health insurance, and had me go to Conexis to sign up for COBRA. Somehow I was lost in the system and went months without any coverage. ACE is telling me to contact Conexis, and Conexis is telling me to contact ACE. Unfortunately, one of my effects from my stroke is uncontrollable crying. No one wanted to deal with me, until I finally got a nice man at Conexis, who understood my crying was a symptom from my stroke. He made calls for me, and we found out that HR at ACE did not complete sending my information to Conexis.

I had been going round and round with it from April to July. I had no coverage in June and July of 2013, everything coming out of pocket. After paying rent each month, I had about $340 left from the money The Hartford was sending me. In 2012, before my stroke, I had taken the money from my retirement to have surgery done on my mouth. I had been advised to have all my teeth pulled, because all the inflammation made me susceptible to having a heart attack or stroke. My blood pressure was too high to do the surgery, and Dr. ** was working with me to get my blood pressure lowered. But before I could have the surgery done, I had my stroke.

That money, meant for my surgery, was my only buffer for me to pay bills and rent. My rent is $1200, my COBRA was $433.10. Although I had no insurance coverage for June and July, in August, Conexis took out payments for June, July, and August of 2013. It overdrew my account, and I tried to get reimbursed for either all my out of pocket costs or the premiums they charged me for the months they didn't give me any coverage. For just the pills, that helped me with the inconstancy with my urination, the cost per month WITH insurance cost over $100 a month. It was costing me more money to pay for my prescriptions than the monthly premium. The amount I was receiving from the Hartford was not even covering just the rent and my COBRA. I was in a negative before even attempting to pay for electricity, water, gas, garbage, groceries, etc. There was so much stress because I had no money, not even for necessities. Although I started my application for Social Security disability, just the Hartford was my only income. I always felt they were hounding me even though I had sent them all the information.

Another sore spot was the Hartford recommending ALSUP. After not hearing anything from ALSUP about the progress with SS, I finally called SS last January. They had put my case on hold because of ALSUP. I spent many days and many hours on the phone with SS trying to straighten my claim out. Again, these poor people trying to understand me with my uncontrollable crying. It seems ALSUP told them to send all communication to Illinois. When SS needed information and clarification from them, ALSUP never responded back to them. When I finally got my case going again, they thought I had moved to Illinois, so they tried to get it transferred back to Oregon to restart my claim, only... somehow it ended up being transferred to Idaho, and I had to go round and round with them to convince them I had never moved anywhere.

I had to have my son take me into the SS office to sign the forms needed to request information from my doctors, something ALSUP was supposed to do already, but didn't. SS was sending everything to me now, and a month after the forms were returned to SS, ALSUP would send me the exact same forms asking me to complete them again. It's hard enough for me to do it once, let alone twice, just so ALSUP could have a copy. That is when I finally told ALSUP that I didn't need their kind of help. Then the Hartford accuses me of not applying for SSD. I had to send proof that I have been trying. It would still be sitting on hold if it were left to ALSUP.

With the Affordable Care Act coming to fruition, last Fall, in 2013, I kept trying to enroll. I knew I could not afford to pay $433.10 each month, just for my premium. ACA was having problems all by itself. We call the ACA, in Oregon, Cover Oregon. Well, Cover Oregon was having problems, because the programmers never got the program done. The Federal government finally gave extensions until April 2014 to get signed up through certain representatives. In the meantime, my bank closed my account because Conexis kept over drawing my account. When I covered the negative balance from my December premium, and Conexis refusing to reimburse me for anything, I decided that I would get my health insurance through the ACA. Unfortunately, I couldn't get an appointment with a rep until March 17, 2014. It was going to cost me $55 a month for the Silver Package.

Cover Oregon was, and still is a mess. I have had no insurance since last December, I am lost somewhere in the Cover Oregon mess, which the State of Oregon has scrapped, and the State is now suing the company that the took millions from Oregon and produced no program... leaving many, many thousands, like me, without health insurance, and paying for everything out of pocket. I was trying to hold out for November 15th, when we can now enroll on the Federal web site, in Oregon.

My only income is the $1,540 the Hartford has been sending me. I am waiting for my hearing to be scheduled with SS. I have had to face the choices between paying for my rent, food, and bills or try to pay for doctors, meds, and living on the street, homeless. Now the Hardford is going to make me homeless anyway. My doctor completed the form, you sent to me, last August, when I paid for my appointment out of pocket. You have all my records, yet you seem to feel you need more information. Nothing has improved since my stroke, and in fact, I have progressed backwards in my health.

What I am constantly battling is the side affects of my stroke, which has affected my immune system. There are so many things. Aside from the AS and Psoriactic Arthritis, and the chronic pain, I forget things. I cry for no reason and especially when trying to communicate with people. I even cry when I hear sad things on the news. I have bathroom problems, often not knowing I need to go until I have already started. I feel so embarrassed and ashamed when that happens.

Sometimes my right side, all of a sudden stops working... some examples was when I was putting bowls into the cupboard, my hand couldn't hold them, and they all dropped and broke, even though they weren't heavy. I drained hamburger grease into a tin can, and when it had cooled, I picked it up to throw it away, but my hand just quit working and it spilled the grease all over the kitchen floor. I have fallen so many times because my right leg just gives way all of a sudden, One time that I remember it was Valentines Day, in the store, standing in line, my right leg just stopped working and I fell on my left knee and left arm. I have fallen so many times on my left knee, it is in constant pain. It is so embarrassing when it happens in front of people.

If I stand for 15 minutes, I get excruciating pain in my lower back. I cannot walk very far, so my son has arranged for me to have a cane and a walker with a seat. I cannot sit for very long, and I have to have my feet elevated so that my feet, ankles, and knees don't swell so much. And it is always hard to get up because my knees get so stiff and sore... my knees always clicking bone on bone. I don't sleep much because my neck, shoulders, and back hurt so much, I get snatches of sleep in half hour to one hour intervals, because I have to constantly move and constantly have to pee. Often I doze when I shouldn't be. My neck, shoulders, right elbow, hands, wrists, lower back between hips, hips, knees, ankles, and feet are always swelling and in pain. Dr. ** says I need to be put on enbrel, but we can't do that until I have my insurance back again. In the meantime, he recommended 4 ibuprofen three times a day, kind of like putting a band-aid on a broken leg.

I don't know how to prove to you that I am still disabled, except for you to exam my body. The Hartford has been sent all my medical records. The only changes since my stroke is that my AS and arthritis has progressively gotten worse, and I have a hard time coping with the pain. I'm so tired all the time. When SS sent me to a neurologist a while back, he kept saying over and over that's normal for a stroke victim. I kept crying, and he says that's normal. He even yelled at me because I couldn't answer his questions fast enough. Sometimes it's so hard for me put the right words together in my mind, and then it's hard to get the words out. Sometimes, my words come out backwards and non-words.

Then SS sent me to a psychologist, He seemed to be convinced that I'm depressed, and he says that's treatable with medication. I don't think I'm depressed. I have been so worried about money and not being able to pay my rent and bills, and to be able to pay my doctors and for my medications. There hasn't been enough money. I had to cancel Comcast a long time ago... that was my TV, internet, and home phone. I haven't gotten to do anything fun because I can't afford it. I'm in so much pain that I can't sleep. I haven't been able to buy any clothes since before my stroke, in 2012. I cannot go anywhere without catching a cold or some illness, because my body cannot resist the bugs other people have. I guess maybe I am depressed. I get told that there are programs to help me, but they are always out of money. The Catholic church did help me pay a past due bill so that my water didn't get shut off.

Dr. ** sent a report to SS, saying I could do a sedentary job, but I would have to have the freedom to get up often since I cannot sit very long. I cannot sit in front of a computer for a long stretches of time because I have to constantly move my neck because of the AS, and the problem of my neck fusing the vertebrates together. So SS denied my claim, saying I didn't have to go back to banking, that I had plenty of other experience, such as a Census Enumerator... showing their pure ignorance. A Census Enumerator is driving and walking and pounding on doors, talking to people for a good strenuous 10-12 hours a day, and the Census is done once every ten years. Ha-ha, maybe I can apply for work for the 2020 Census... by then I would be eligible for regular Social Security. There is a shortage of jobs as it is, no one would hire me in my condition, and I don't know of any jobs that I could work with where I don't have to talk to people.

It would be a little old explaining to people that I am crying because it is normal for a stroke victim. Not to mention, I get dizzy spells all the time and my right limbs quit working from time to time, so I fall a lot. I did get a letter from SS saying they will be scheduling a hearing for me... It's only been over a year and a half since we started the application process. The people at the SS office can see I disabled, but someone sitting at a desk somewhere decides that I am not, just what Tonya ** and the Hartford did. I don't have health insurance because it failed to work in Oregon, I don't have money to pay my doctors, yet Tonya ** expects me to schedule regular visits that I can't pay for... so she concludes that my disability has gone away. I would give anything to make it go away. If you could could continue with benefits until I can get my health insurance and get through my SS hearing, I would be so grateful. I will be homeless next month if you do not send me any money.

All my life I have worked hard and obeyed all the rules. Now I am 59, have been stressed out constantly since my stroke... feel like I've been badgered by The Hartford, just a number with SS to be tossed aside, fighting the insurance companies to pay the bills, ripped off by the insurance companies, too much income to collect food stamps (although my only income was the Hartford}, being referred to programs that have no money to help, and more bills than I have money to pay. If you can find me a job I am capable of doing, I will take it. If you can talk my doctors into treating me for free, I will go. I can understand now why people lose all hope to go on living.

When my Neurosurgeon found out he postponed the surgery for at least 6 months so I could be off blood thinners for a week before he did the operation. Hartford closed my case a week later (2 days after I got out of the hospital ), claiming I didn't meet their disability criteria, even though I couldn't walk and my Dr gave me Temporary Disability placard for six months. I had to apply for an extension, which took almost a month to get, as they bombarded my Doctors with paperwork and had a nurse grill me on the.

They tried to say that I was ineligible for STD because I hadn't had my back surgery yet. I explained about the blood thinners again and told them to look at the Physician notes from my Neurosurgeon. They tried to say that I should be able to return to my desk job since I didn't have back surgery. I informed them that I couldn't walk, stand, or sit. They finally extended it to 8-26-14. I put in for an extension as my surgery is the first week of December, but I still haven't received my benefits as of 9-30-14, and I am going broke...

I have a $2100.00 mortgage that I am behind on, and have been unable to pay my bills since 8-30-14. Something needs to be done about this harassment. I paid for STD & LTD, yet I am treated like I am trying to cheat them. They pay no attention to my Doctors records, and my Doctor, who has dealt with thousands of claims, can't believe the amount of info that they ask for. He is used to being trusted with his diagnosis, and said that Hartford is asking illegal questions that have no bearing on the case.

My benefits were scheduled to expire August 31, 2014 and I contacted the Hartford to find out what my status was. I was told that I had a new claim adjuster and she stated that I met disability status according to medical records and that I would continue with benefits for another 6 months. Jessica ** told me that I would not hear from her for another 6 months and my benefits would continue. Well, on 9/2 I was told by Jessica ** that my benefits were being terminated even though I met the definition of disability medically, the Hartford believed that since I worked 28 hours a week that I could work with my condition and the doctors' assessment didn't matter. I was told that my benefits terminated on 8/27/14 and a letter was sent out to inform me.

Well, as of today 9/11/2014 I have not received a formal letter telling me that my benefits are terminated. It is not surprising since you only have a set amount of time to appeal the decision. I have only worked 28 hours since 2009 and have received LTD twice since that time. This is just a ploy to end my benefits! This is a HORRIBLE company that mistreats employees.

So she help my claim up yet another month only to receive letters from these facilities that I was never a pt there. She cake walks around every question it ask her. She started only paying medical for the Drs they sent me to. Once the time was up and I was able to see my own Drs who after 7 drs stating I needed surgery and surgery was scheduled she demanded an IME and scheduled the day before my surgery. She stated the IME would be the deciding factor as whether she released my wage loss. Now the IME report has been sent 3 weeks ago and still she claims she hasn't received it. I called the IME Drs office who told me the date they faxed it to her.

I obtained an attorney who is working on contingency. I am days from losing my home. I have no money left - I can't pay utilities, nothing. The only thing she sent me was a $75 check for medical mileage. My attorney has called her multiple times and has sent letters - she ignores them all and does not respond. I have called my state WCA. They have even called her and she lies to the state. I don't know what to do. I'm looking at being out of work another 3-4 months. There has to be someone higher up we can all contact about the practices of this company. The question is who?? This is beyond stressful and depressing. My relationship is on the line with all of our financial problems because they are refusing to release wage loss. Please help. What can we do?!?!

Now that I did have my baby on August 15, 2014, Hartford will probably just closed my case for the STD cause Hartford figures that they don't need to pay me anymore. What a waste of my time trying to get my STD? Now I have to try to filed for maternity leave and watch the runaround again until I have to go back to work in October. Hartford is such a disappointment that I recommend all my friends to not used Hartford cause they sucks big time on everything but are really good at giving you the whole runaround bulls that they have been giving me. I would NEVER recommend Hartford to anyone on anything in my life because of this runaround. A very dissatisfied customer.

On Thursday, July 31st, I received a voice-mail from The Hartford notifying that they had placed my claim in denied because they did not receive the records from my doctor. The Hartford had not paid for copies of my records and did not mail my doctor a check until Friday July 1st. Today August 5th, I called The Hartford asking about the status of my claim. The person on the line stated that they had not received the records yet and stated they sent payment on the 1st. I responded with then how did you expect to receive records within 4 days if you didn't mail a check from Connecticut until day 5? She stated they originally requested the files on the 25th. So? I have been consistently asking why they are trying to find reasons not to approve my claim and all they ever say is they are not. I've come to the conclusion that I paid for my STD & LTD so that The Hartford can use it for themselves. Is there anyone who can help me? Thank you!

If doctors had to have peer reviews to Hartford for every patient, they wouldn't have time to treat any of them. It is amazing to me how "their independent physicians" can make any decisions on a person's ability to work without seeing or meeting them. I don't see how that is even legal. I do hope someone will start a class action suit against Hartford. If their company works the way most companies do, the executives from the CEO down get bonuses on the money they have saved by the denials that should have been paid to the employees that paid in their hard earned money.

I called the Hartford and was told they are reviewing my medical info. again! If I was denied only because it was a possible BWC claim and submitted the denial letter as requested, then why are they reviewing my medical records again? They are really dragging their feet. I have been patiently waiting for 2 months and still no money. Also, it is very hard to get any information from them. I would like to have a policy to read but can't get one. I have no idea and was never told the short term disability requirements, etc. I feel they did not disclose and continue to not disclose everything about the process and policy terms. WHAT ARE THE POLICY TERMS? I plan to cancel my payroll deductions to the Hartford when I return to work. They are horrible.

The Hartford is telling me I have to give them my Social Security Disability Benefits!!! They want me to pay back to them the disability payments they paid to me, PLUS they want me to pay to them a lump sum that my two children will receive from my Social Security account as "Dependent's Benefits". I received monthly disability benefits from The Hartford, then when I was approved for Social Security benefits The Hartford wants THAT money too!

I know from the line of work I was in for many years (television news) that going to the media to expose unethical businesses can yield far more results than fighting a mis-justice on your own or even with an expensive attorney. Let's get together and bring The Hartford to the attention of network news magazine shows… and Fox news. The Hartford has to be STOPPED!!!

I paid my premiums to them on a weekly basis. Never did I play these games with them when they wanted their payments. Perhaps it is time our govt look into the Hartford Company's practices and start auditing them and find out what is going on!

Later, you'll experience letters to your doctors asking bizarre double speak questions. You'll be told your forms weren't submitted and your claim canceled (just experienced that one myself) although you've faxed/mailed them in more than once. You may be asked to go to "independent" doctors of their choosing. My doctors and I have excellent relationships so they called me when they received the inquiries and handled them accordingly. Make sure you you save all fax confirmations and mail everything with at least a delivery receipt if not a signature. And if they want you to go see an independent doctor, insist that the visit be filmed. Ask the physician questions to verify they have sufficient knowledge of your condition. Ask them how many patients with your condition they've treated and how recently. Etc....

Finally, if you feel like you're getting the runaround, each state has an insurance commission/administration that regulates bad behaviors such as these. Let them know you are aware of your local administration and that you will file a complaint if the situation isn't remedied (particularly for "no paperwork" when you have confirmation it's been sent). Know your rights and don't be bullied. They rely on wearing you down and you giving up. Best of luck!

Do not send in an appeal without having an attorney. Their ERISA appeal process is designed to prevent you from taking them to court. I am disabled and homeless now, thank you Hartford. Their employees tend to read paragraphs of responses and "Talk over you". They are very rude and condescending. I had told one of their employees, "What are you doing? Why are you working for the Hartford? You are better than this."

I’ve done some checking online to see if I could find what their problem is. I think I have succeeded. It seems Liam McGee, the CEO and president of Hartford could not care less. I looked up his salary - he is paid 1,100,000 and has stock awards of 3,250,000; with other awards and bonuses, he totals out at $7,938,307 per year - this was in 2011. As of April this year (2013), it has doubled.

The last I called The Hartford over my disability, I asked for his number. The associate that I was talking to claimed not to know of him or his number, so I asked if she knew who she worked for. If Obama Care is becoming a law, why isn't the government investigating these people? It is my belief that Congress of the United States actually holds a lot of the stock in this company. Liam McGee and The Hartford could care less about your problems as long as your premiums keep paying his salary.

My doctors have just about given up trying to keep up with the flood of paperwork that The Hartford is sending. From this point on I have to fax them myself. If this page is actually a Consumer Affairs page, I would like some feedback on why this company is not being investigated. On this page I am required to give a rate of my experience with this company and you have one through five stars. I'll have to give it a one star until you update this site so I can give it a negative 5 stars.

I intend to keep digging until I learned the whereabouts of this mysterious CEO. When I do, I hope to publish his phone numbers and addresses so he can actually hear from the people. I also intend on registering a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, the company that I worked for that acquired this policy, my Congressman and representative. And if all possible to the White House itself. If Pres. Obama thinks Obama Care is so good, maybe he will stick his finger in and stir the pot a little.

In the meantime, I decided to go ahead and take the penalty to collect my huge pension of $124.64 a month to help pay my bills. Now Hartford says since I collect my $124.64 they will no longer pay me the $96.44 meaning - 0 dollars. And I have to pay them back the $96.44 a month for the 3 months I collected my pension. And also telling me I have to reapply for my Social Security Disability and try to get them to go back to May 2013 and get reimbursed and to pay them all the money they have paid to me. Are they kidding me? For one thing, I went back to work in July and worked until Nov. 11, 2012. And if Social Security Disability reimburses me and I pay all of that money to Hartford, I will still be left with taxes on the SSD and it will also be at a reduced amount since I will be getting it one year earlier.

So in other words, Hartford Disability Insurance is NOT A SUPPLEMENTAL insurance that helps pay the difference of SSD and with my Pension from the income I used to make by being employed. I asked a question to an attorney who said, "it’s a contract and it’s between your employer and Hartford”. Problem with all of us, we have no choices, we have no copies of the "contract" and we pay for something that really does not exist. It’s a loan, not a supplemental insurance to help pay your bills. I went from $28000 a year being employed to $1071 a month for SSD and $124.64 a month for my Pension and absolutely nothing from Hartford. But by the way, my $1071 will be reduced even more if I am forced into going back a year and get reimbursed for SSD.

On 08/27/2013, I called Hartford on my Long Term Disability status and was informed that I have been denied due to their 3rd Party Review determination. "Objective Medical Does Not Support Long Term Disability" and "That I could work as a Secretary". My treating physician and psychiatric doctor both submitted medical documentation to Hartford that I cannot work due to my condition. I don't understand how a 3rd party review through Hartford can decide that I can work. My treating physician has treated me for years! And a 3rd party review has denied my long term claim who has never treated or spoken to me. Most likely, this 3rd party review spent less than 5 minutes reviewing medical documentation that was submitted to Hartford. How can my 2 doctors indicate that I cannot work, and then Hartford makes decision from their 3rd party review that I'm not disabled and can work. I have worked for the same company for 25 years.

I'm disgusted at Hartford. I have paid my premium every week coming directly out of my paycheck to pay for STD and LTD / Hartford. And this is how Hartford treats you! DENYING YOUR LONG TERM DISABILITY CLAIM! Even though you have MEDICAL EVIDENCE by both my treating doctors regarding my condition, which was submitted to Hartford, only to be denied. I'm stressed out and extremely fatigued and hurting. I guess Hartford is trying to starve me to get me back to work. They are a rip off and their 3rd party review obviously takes too many coffee breaks. Their 3rd party review probably did not even read the medical evidence submitted to them; if so, did not read with the good eye. Hartford is cruel and a company like Hartford should be shut down forever! They like taking your money. THAT' S ALL!!!!!!!

My doctor's office received fax confirmation that they did. Why are they lying? So now I am NOT getting my paycheck and my house payment is due tomorrow. They then made me feel my job is also in jeopardy if I don't get them what they need. I faxed my own copies today and confirmed the fax was completed on my end. I suppose they will say it didn't go through.

Our policy pays us in "tax-free" money, so when The Hartford states a job pays the same, they exclude the part that the National median salary is NOT tax-free and therefore is NOT the equivalent income as the Disability Benefit (For an example, the worker was paid $3,600 per month tax-free, the two jobs Hartford recommended were the same amount but taxed). Neither the worker I am helping nor I had ever heard of the two jobs they came up with. There are no companies in the city we live in that have such jobs AND, even if there were, there is NO guarantee that the company was hiring or would ever hire this individual. It is complete and utter BS.

I am going to recommend to all of our employees on LTD - and any of you that wish to participate - that they write their State and National Congressmen and women. I do not see any other way to get The Hartford to do the right thing. We will be pursuing this through litigation, but I am not hopeful that we will prevail.

As long as I am with my husband, I feel safe, even though I still have to take my **. I have always stated this. Due to this video and they stated that because of my work history and age, I could work, so they terminated my disability. My benefits? $1,000 a month. What they have done to me? We can't pay all of our bills so we have collection agencies calling nonstop, which had caused my anxiety and panic attacks to go through the roof. And thanks to them stalking me, I now go out of my house even less and when I do, I have to be with someone at all times as much as possible. If I cannot, I have to take double the ** and am petrified until I get home. I cannot afford an attorney so I have to appeal on my own.

On day 10, I called for a update and was told by Ms. ** that none of my doctors had responded to her requests. I started making calls; none of my doctors had gotten a request. So I had to call her again and was told she had requested them but that she would do so again. I waited 2 days and called her again - same response. Now I was getting mad. I called all 3 doctors again and still they had nothing. I requested to speak to her supervisor and up until the 19th of June failed to get any response. In the meantime, I ran all over Indianapolis gathering, coaxing, and in general kissing up to all the doctors to get this information faxed (it turns out that Ms. ** was rude to their staff when she did get around to calling them).

I spent over 32 hours of my life tracking down information. I returned to work on the 10th of June and I am still fighting to get what my company pays for. I am in the last stretch of this long nightmare. I spoke to her supervisor on the 19th and she told me (yes, told me) that Ms. ** admitted to her that she did not contact a single one of my doctors until I spoke to her on the 8th. I am owed 5 weeks of STD and I am struggling with my bills due to her lack of ethics and what I must assume is laziness on her part. It was never my job to call and chase down my information. I personally believe that Hartford owes me not only my 5 weeks' pay but my 32 hours for doing her job and I make good money. So I expect that even at 80%, those 32 hours should make me enough to do something for the doctors and their staff that had to deal with this woman.

They immediately approved me for 2 weeks and required paperwork from my doctor by June 3rd. My doctor waited to see what the neurosurgeon said (I've also had brain surgery back in 2001). My doctor has continued to send them this paperwork over and over again. They continue to state they have not received my paperwork. My doctor has called them asking what their problem is and they say they don't know. I've been bouncing back and forth from my doctor to the Hartford. I am beyond frustrated right now. My doctor has kept all the transcripts stating all faxes have been received. It seems the Hartford does this often. They stated that the central location for paperwork nobody can contact. I don't know what to do. I'm not going to get paid.

To finish up, I feel the lack of full explanation by HR about the forms I was asked to sign while severely depressed and highly medicated was a procedure which was rushed through. "You know - sign this and this and this..." Bankruptcy and food banks are a part of my life now.

I have also been getting paid the third Friday of the month since I first became disabled. Apparently, they changed their payment policy without notification! When I called them on it, they told me it just happened. I was getting paid like that, but it was based on how many days were in the month, etc. No notification! I got paid a week late this month because they changed policy and they claim it's always been this way. I'm calling again today and if I don't get a good response on my review, here comes the attorney again! I hate having to pay for an attorney, but that is the only way they will pay out your benefits.

I feel very sorry for all the pain everyone here has had to go through with The Hartford Group! We should get pain and suffering payments for everything we have to go through. And they need to start paying out attorney fees when you appeal and win! It's costly to make them do what they are supposed to do. Please, if you are having problems with this company, hire an attorney. Let them do all the work so you don't have to get stressed out by this company! Good luck to all!

My long-term disability did not start after 90 days after my surgery like they advertised. Hartford was cruel when they knew a patient who has a total knee replacement and a torn meniscus alone with other medical issues could not go back to work standing on a cement floor. How heartless could Hartford be, not just to my situations but to many other clients of theirs that was in horrible ordeals? When I signed up for this disability insurance, I was told I would get 66% of my pay after 90 day of my illness. Then in the end after having to appeal the denied claim and not getting any of my benefits until months later with broken spirits and untrusting of the Hartford Insurance Company, I was told that I was only suppose to get $200 month? Who would buy a policy like that? I had medicine that cost $200 a bottle.

After getting my Social Security, Hartford told me since I did not sign up to get the $200 a month. That is why I owed them money ($30,000)! Whatever happens to getting 66% of my regular pay? I was never told anything about $200 a month. I never would have gotten this company disability insurance and Hartford never said anything about my Social Security back pay would belong to them. This sounds like a loan company and not a disability company. I have accepted the fact that I have an illness that is never going to get better. What Hartford added on top of my illness, which included severe depression for making me and my family suffer, I could not pay my bills, I cut medicine in half to make it last longer( high blood pressure meds). Because of what Hartford had me suffering, I developed panic attacks. I never had panic attacks until Hartford made me appeal for a claim and I was penniless. I was ashamed to even go to the doctors because I did not have money to pay them.

Hartford made me lose myself esteem. To get by, I had to take money from my elderly parents and disable brother and even my daughter paid our bills. I could not contribute and my husband cried because he did not want to take money from our daughters, but you do what you have to do when Hartford did not care about their clients well being. I have never been the same since I let the Hartford disability insurance come into my life. I am very sorry for what the people that I read about are going through. The sad thing is we all have similar events that had happened to us. Who is the common denominator? Yes, the Hartford Disability Insurance. I would even cry when I show the Hartford commercials on TV. After my AARP expire, because they are associated with the Hartford, I will no longer be a member with AARP. The Hartford Associate, Nancy, who handled my case, was very heartless. The Hartford Disability Insurance should change the name to the Heartless Disability Insurance Company.

Mr. President of Hartford, do you really know how cruel your associates handle clients who are hurting and truly need what was promised to some very ill clients? Mr. President of Hartford Disability Insurance, while I was suffering because of what the Hartford Disability Insurance put me through, I wanted the pain to end but God is with me. Even if I still have painful days, life is worth living. Had I given up and ended it all, I would not be here to see the gift that God has given my daughter and son-law, the gift of a new baby. Today, I wake up and say my favorite Prayer: I can do all things though Christ that strengthens me. Mr. President of Hartford, it is not always about taking money. It's about giving your clients what is rightfully theirs.

Hartford Disability needs to make some serious changes. I don't have a job anymore and I loved Publix. I don't have money but I try to live a truthful life and that is more than money can buy. I will continue to pray for the clients that I am reading about because this is America and people who have paid their premiums faithfully should not have to suffer and be financially ruined while already battling illnesses because the Hartford Disability Insurance Company is choosing money over the client livelihood. I wake up some nights crying and my husband say, "It's okay, honey. It's just a dream." When you have gone through what is happening to us with the Hartford Disability Insurance Company, it's not a dream; it's a nightmare!

Three years into my job at Publix, I had started experiencing joint issues in my both knees and in my right ankle. After months of unbearable pain, I made an appointment to see an orthopedic specialist. After examinations and numerous x-rays, the doctor diagnosed me with Degenerative Joint Disease. He then shocked me with this and I quote, "You will need surgery on your ankle because you also have Tarsal Coalition. You will be out of work for 6 to 9 months and if you have any questions, ask my nurse." Then the doctor walked out the room. Looking like a deer in headlights, I burst into tears and ran out of his office and never went back. I got a copy of my medical records from that unprofessional doctor, took them to my medical doctor (Dr. **), cried to him and told him to explain this diagnosis to me.

At that time I had started experiencing tremendous pain and swelling in both knees, both feet and ankles. Before seeing Dr. **, I had even gone to a podiatrist doctor, who put my right ankle in a case to keep it stabilized. That podiatrist ordered even more exams of both feet, ankles and knees from all views. He concluded also that I had DJD, Tarsal Coalition and because my job requires that I stand 8 hours a day, I needed to find another career. Now back to my medical doctor (Dr. **) because I was armed with all the medical records and x-ray that I brought him from the two previous doctors. He also made me an appointment an Arthritis Specialist and I had all types of lab work to rule out certain arthritis. The specialist diagnose me with Osthearthritis, Degenerative Joint Disease, bone spears in my right angle, DJD in both feet, Tarsal Coalition in my right feet, and arthritis in both shoulders.

After the Arthritis Specialist sent her findings back to my medical doctor (Dr. **), we found an orthopedic surgeon to perform a left knee replacement and repair a torn meniscus. I could not perform my job because of the terrible pain. I could not even drive to work before my surgery. I cried everyday I got off work and daily task at home was done by my husband. I decided I could not live like this any more. On about 1/23/10, I had my left knee replaced and repaired my torn meniscus. Because I had Hartford Disability Insurance, I knew it would be tough financially but after 90 days, I would receive my Hartford Disability pay.

Well people, on the 87th day, I got a letter from the Hartford Disability Insurance telling me that I can go back to work and they had denied my claim! I called my doctor's office crying uncontrollable. I told them my knee is swollen; I'm still in therapy; I'm still on a walker; and still taking narcotics, why did you call the insurance company that I can go back to work? The doctor's office said that, "You can't go back to work." I told the the disability insurance. They said that I can go back and they will not be paying me any money. The doctor's office said that Hartford asked them one question and it was, and I quote, "Does she have an infection?" They said, "No, Mrs. ** does not have an infection." I called Hartford back and told them I need my money, I can't pay my bills, I need my medicine and I have no money. I was crying like a baby.

The Hartford employee, Nance, said in a very nasty tone, "Look on that last page. If you have a problem with our decision, appeal it." Cluck. That was the phone hanging up. Not only did I have my left knee replaced on 1/10, I had my right shoulder operated on 8/19/10 (the day I lost my insurance). I went from paying about $90.00 a month while I was an employee with the company, but when they terminated me from the company (8/19/10), I had to go under COBRA health insurance and it was over $300.00 a month. Now Hartford Disability Ins. is paying me nothing. I had 180 to appeal or I would lose everything. Now I was suffering not only with all my other illnesses (Degenerative Joint Disease, Osthearthritis, Tarsal Coalition in my right foot, Arthritis in both shoulders), I'm now getting prepared for a second knee replacement on my right knee on 2/11. But now I am suffering from severe depression, terrible panic attacks, sleeplessness and high blood pressure. All of these illnesses brought on by the Hartford Disability Insurance company.

During all this pressure, I sent Hartford every medical record I had. They had to give me my back pay. I almost lost my mind! And I thought that is what Hartford Disability Ins. wanted me to do. I swear at one time I wanted to end it all, but God was holding me. I was never able to go back to a wonderful company, Publix. Hartford Disability Ins. almost made me lose everything I had. My parent had to go in their retirement to help me. My brother did the same. My husband suffered tremendously and my daughters paid bills for us because we were almost homeless. I had to pay all my family and friends back and I am still paying medical bills.

But the worst thing of all is my panic attacks are still with me. I suffer severe depression on a daily basis. I cry when I think about what Hartford Disability Ins. put me through. Because of Hartford, I'm scared of people. I am on depression medicine, sleeping pills and I will always have a fear that I lost the person that trusted and believed that there was good in all people. After a long battle, I finally got my Social Security Disability. The Hartford Disability Insurance informed me that I owe them over $30,000.00. Why? I almost lost my sense because of how Hartford Disability Ins. treated me. The only thing I have now is sense and God. That insurance almost bankrupt my parents, seniors and my daughter almost had to drop out of college. I bet the Hartford president and his associates sleep sound at night. Well guess what Hartford Disability Insurance company? I don't!

After months of abuse by Hartford's minions, I was sent an hour out of town to see their independent medical examiner. Curious why I had to drive so far, I googled him and alas... one single star on his review. Go figure, right? So here I am a month later, one year and nine months into my long term disability, and I get a letter from Hartford stating that based on their "totality of evidence," I am no longer disabled - mainly because their one star quack decided after a 20 minute exam that I can work an 8 hour day. The contradictions are that I have been to 3 pain management docs in 3 states, 2 neurosurgeons, 3 family practice doctors, an occupational and vocational evaluation, and a functional capability evaluation, all of whom state for the record that I am unable to sit for more than 15 minutes, stand more than 10, and must lie down about every 45 minutes (too many things to write here, but you get the idea).

Hartford pummeled my 5 star interventional pain management doc with so many forms that my doc told me no matter what he wrote, they were "losing the files" so I should be prepared for the inevitable. He finally quit responding to them after approx. 30 requests for more information. So, my story is pretty much identical to every other story of complaint against Hartford, except they cancelled me before the 2 year LTD period was up based on their vague statement "totality of evidence." Problem is, the totality doesn't make sense, and I am a fighter. As a formality, I filed a written appeal with no additional outside documentation. They have ignored all of my statements about VA treatment for sleep apnea, and the broken neck complication that prevents me from sleeping even with a CPAP.

They don't want to hear this. They don't want to hear that I have had a stroke. They don't want to hear that the mess to keep the pain at bay makes me a hazard behind the wheel or at work. They just want to say that because I can ride my mower for 20 minutes once every 2 weeks, I can hold down a full time job. They lose documentation that is key to my case. They lie, cheat, and talk to my neighbors about my medical condition.

Hartford acts in bad faith, plain and simple. They hide behind ERISA, and commit fraud on a scale that's unbelievable even in this day and age. They chastise a claimant, talk down their noses, and call us names and scold us for faking illnesses that are not possible to fake. Their subjective view trumps the objective fact until court; but even then they are not held accountable for their deceptive practices. They are immune from charges of bad faith because they spend tens of millions lobbying congress to protect them.

If you have a legitimate case against Hartford like I do, fight. Find a reputable attorney, and after the mandatory appeal period while they lose your paperwork again, prepare to go to court. You will win, and they will be exposed one more time. It will cost you 33% plus expenses for a couple of years for this, but the alternative is letting them cheat their way out of paying you what is due you. And after you win, make sure you blog about how they wasted all those extra money trying to cheat you out of your due. Investors love to see an insurance company squandering money like this.

The independent "examination" consisted of their doctor drilling me about my work history, and the doctor talking about himself and his family. Within 30 days of seeing "their" doctor, I was terminated. I requested my file from Hartford. I was told it would be sent 12/12. After multiple requests and finally telling them I was reporting them to governing bodies, I finally received my file the end of March and my time to appeal ends next month. The report from the independent doctor is absurd, unprofessional and states bizarre information that doesn't even pertain to me.

In the meantime, I am trying to support my family on nothing. My house is in foreclosure and the only reason we eat is because of food stamps. I've lost everything even though I worked for a company that paid premiums for 10 years. It's blatant corruption and the misconduct needs to be addressed. The people they have wrongfully terminated need to unite somehow. It's sad how they continually mistreat people.

This company receives from me faithfully, funds through my employer that flows into their pot. Now my benefit is being intentionally interrupted with lame excuses and suspected lies about contacting my doctor for info in a timely manner. Reading everyone else's complaints confirms what I suspect. It's unethical and needs to be investigated. I am off work with an injury trying to recover while falling behind on bills. There is no excuse to not having a check from Dec 26 to the date Jan 14. It’s a sad practice for forcing honest, hardworking people back to work.

Now due to the time lapse, my injury has caused more medical problems. Yes I am upset. I have worked hard as a nurse for 34 years, never had an injury. Hartford, yes, is a business, this I understand. However this is inexcusable business practice. I have read other posts here and I feel so much for the frustration! If Hartford would care to call me and discuss this, please do. I am contacting as many people as I can to find out what can be done so no one will have to go through this same problem as I did. Employers, please read the complaints before you purchase a policy with this company and use your own judgment!

My company is currently up for renewal. I will make sure they know why not to renew with this useless company. If I had a union backing me, my employer would have a grievance filed. That would be ousting them legal expenses for such a useless benefit.

I called before surgery and they still hadn't received medical update but she assured me she would do update. I provided and forwarded them to employer. I also updated my manager. I was relieved to hear they would update status with work and was aware I would need medical update for payment. I asked Hartford to resubmit all forms to my doctor on 10/24/12 two days before surgery. Michelle said, "I will call if we don't get a response.” No call and I figured things resolved. Wrong! I got a letter one week post partial right lobectomy that my employer has started separation process. I am fighting a postoperative infection and am desperate to maintain position and disability. I am so weak and don't have the energy for this with current health issues. I am waiting to hear back from my attorney.

My medical condition has not changed at all since first filling for STD, yet every week, it's the same questions and same hassle. I will end up having to return to work against medical advice as I cannot live off of $0 per month. I electively chose and paid for STD and LTD for situations just as this and have received nothing but more stress and anxiety as to how I'm going to pay my bills and pay for and up-coming surgery. Who is a nurse to decide that my MD and specialist are wrong? This person has never seen me ever before. I feel at this point, my medical condition is really none of The Hartford's business and that my MD should be making the decisions when it comes to my health.

As soon as Hartford would receive a piece of information, they would ask for something else, medical records, then they wanted the doctor to call them etc. I even sent them extra paperwork from primary care and other doctors that I have seen during this period to prove my disability and still no decision, which more likely will be denied. Do you think that a nurse at Hartford (which is reviewing my claim) is as qualified as my doctor (a very qualified one) from Mass General MD, MPH, UMDNJ to determine that I should not be disabled while my doctor thinks I am?!

I got to the ER and I was there for 3 hours. The nurse told me that I was having contractions and I had some minimal bleeding. Thankfully, my cervix didn't open. As I was being discharged, I was given a letter from the doctor saying I could not do any heavy lifting on the job. I called my manager and told her that I was discharged and was told that I could not return to work with a restriction. Wal-Mart Distribution Center does not offer light duty work unless you were hurt on the job. So, I was told by my manager and operations manager that I would have to go ahead and go on my leave because of the doctor’s orders. My 15th day of being off work was Sept. 3. I called the Hartford. I was told that I would not have to do anything else besides call them and they would take care of everything else. So when I went to my doctor’s appointment on Sept. 9th, I went on and told my doctor about the STD coverage. They called the Hartford and faxed my report from the ER and my leave papers to prove why I was put on leave so early.

I waited a week and I received a call from the analyst. She told me to tell her what happened. So I told her from start to finish what happened at work that particular day. A week later, the same thing! At this point, there was no payment. I was told that I need to send my medical records of all places I had been seen since I had become pregnant, which was the health department, my doctor, the ER, and a specialist I saw in Jackson, MS. So, I did that. They approved my leave from the 3rd of Sept. until the 14th of Sept. This is now Sept. 21 and I called the analyst again. She quickly got me off the phone, "I just got your papers and I'm reviewing them now." I called back Monday, Oct. 1st and she said the same thing, "Reviewing."

So today, Oct. 3, a month later, I haven't been paid except that one week and three days and I have no gas to get to my doctor’s appointments, and no money to pay my bills. I spoke with some guy who was so rude. I asked him why has not anyone called me. Why am I the one doing the following up? He said "We just got your records yesterday." I said that’s impossible because I was told Monday the papers have been there over a week. He got quiet and I said I feel as if I am being given the runaround for a whole month. What’s the deal with this? I can't pay my bills because of what you all are doing. He says "We don’t understand why you can't work. We know Wal-Mart’s policy and we know they will work with you." I told him for the 4th time why I was taken off work early.

As I began to tell him how I've had this insurance for the last 5 years without having to use it until now, and they don’t want to pay me? He said, "Well, you could have taken an unpaid leave. That was your choice." I said I might as well be on an unpaid leave now because I've been off for a month and only been paid once. I said I pay into my insurance every two weeks thinking that I have this great coverage and when I need it, I can't get them to cooperate. I said this is ridiculous. I chose to get paid because I had the option and I paid for it! Plus, I have bills and that’s why you have insurance to cover you when you decide you want to grow your family.

I'm 27 years old and this is my first child. I told him it seems like they would rather me have stayed at work and had a miscarriage. That way, they wouldn't have to pay me for being on leave! I said this is ridiculous and if I lose my car and I only have $1,900 left to pay, I will sue them, the other analyst, and this entire company. He said, "If you will calm down, I will extend it for you." I said excuse me for being upset when people screw the insurance companies and get paid without question all the time, but people that need their insurance that pay can't use it and get the runaround. Excuse me. After only 5 min of reviewing my paperwork, he approved it, in five minutes! Something needs to be done about the Hartford. This is pure ridiculous that I got treated like this. I am still so upset right now that he would talk to me the way he did and without any care tell me the things he did.

I was then placed on disability as per my doctor from the VA. I was already receiving disability compensation entitlement from the VA. Once I was placed on short term disability then long term disability through the Hartford. One of the many forms you have to complete is a financial form which asks questions about other income you receive. Mind you, veteran's benefits is not one of them but I put it on the form to cover myself.

I asked my case manager at the time 7/14/10 if my VA benefits would affect my LTD benefits from my job and her reply was no. I received a call from my current LTD case manager who has not really done a good job on 9/25/2012 and told me that I have been overpaid due to my veterans' benefits. I asked what does one have to do with the other? I also asked her what would my LTD payment have been had I not received and increased in my benefits. Her reply - there would not have change. What guideline is she using?

Now I am told that I owed the Hartford $25,000.00 because I should not have been receiving a benefit my civilian employer and I paid into, should something happened to me. I would like to say to my fellow soldiers that now I understand why we suffer severe mental disabilities, homelessness and drug and alcohol abuse - to mask the shame we suffered. Going for help only hinders us, does not help us as we try to hold on to the little sanity we have. Then, this happened and I am not supposed to want to take my life. I have struggled since my assault and have not had the time to heal without some civilian entity beating me down. I used to be so proud to serve my country. Now look at what is happening to me and am ashamed because I sacrificed so much to be treated so unfairly.

Once the MRI was performed, it was advised that surgery needed to be done on my right shoulder. In January of 2009, the surgery was performed and three anchors were placed to hold up my shoulder then stitched in place. After going through Hartford for physical therapy approval, I was denied which delayed my recovery in which another surgery had to be performed due to scar tissue. So, I have had two shoulder surgeries and three years out of work and every month, the surgeon requests for physical therapy to continue. The Hartford Insurance informed the clinic that I no longer need it again, and again. Then, by the time I returned to physical therapy, my shoulder had to begin the whole process again for the physical therapy. The Hartford Insurance then recommended an independent examination by a doctor who has only examined you once and decided that no physical therapy was needed without knowing the facts. Not only that, but the report issued to the court has the wrong account of the medical examination conducted.

Hartford Insurance has denied medication, physical therapy, and medical care for over three years. To top it off, my compensation check is now reduced to the lowest rate possible since nurses who do not know the physical well being of the individual denied one to continue physical therapy. As I continue to fight at the courts for transportation that was never given as well, I continue to suffer at the hands of the Hartford Insurance. In my opinion, the government should have more compensation laws that protect the rights of those in need since I can understand that many individuals falsely inform insurance companies of the injuries when not injured at all. But what about those who are really injured and suffer the mistakes of others? Where do we stand?

I was held at gunpoint by special agents at 2AM in my own home. Hartford said I was a meth user when the meth was a medication filled at a pharmacy owned by the plan sponsor. Ask for your records, put everything against the law in a letter and send it to them. If the information is not in your appeal, it will not be heard in ERISA court. ERISA is only to get your money back or ask questions for the greater good. Anything fraudulent sent in the mail to you is mail fraud. Take them into local court for anything you can. They have to pay their own way as to not hurt the plan. It is their fiduciary duty not to injure the plan. Mental illness is never covered by LTD, so The Hartford will harass you so being nervous mental is the main illness, as opposed to a coma. You have to be under the care of a medical professional who can legally treat your medical condition and take prescribed meds.

They send for updates about every 2 weeks from my doctors, then turn around and ask for more notes a week or so later which I have to pay my doctors for. I also have had short term disability plus the whole time I've been with them. Yet when I had to redo my benefits during open enrollment at work, they started my coverage from start and said I had to have that coverage for a year before it would pay my premium! I believe they do these things to make it impossible to keep up my coverage at $260 a month, as they only pay me every month or so! They also think that I will get tired of fighting with them to get my money by having to make several calls a week and paying for 6 or more doctor visits just to get their paperwork filled out.

They have paid me about $2,600 since May and it costs me about $500 a month to get it which totals about $1,500, so I'm sure you can do the math here! My house has gone into foreclosure and I can't do anything to stop it due to this, and I have had a vehicle repossessed as well! This company is just another bunch of scam artists that are taking complete advantage of people's misfortunes! I pay these people to protect me and they are in essence costing me my home, cars, and soon my utilities which cost me more than I have left after paying the cost of getting my money! When I am done with this situation, I will never deal with these people again and will make it my life's mission to make sure others don't deal with them either!

My own company sent me to their liaison and I was told to write a letter, then The Hartford noted I would have to get a court order to get info. I sought legal advice and the attorney noted that if I was not suing them, I did not need a court order. They violated my privacy by asking questions I did not know to the wrong doctor, by asking pre-existing questions when our contact noted if not have to have and avoiding me, the customer, telling me that they needed a court order to see my file. It would have cost me like $500.00-$1,000.000 in court costs just to see my file and notes that The Hartford had in their files. I have since warned everyone in my office that it is not worth it to file a claim with this insurance company.

You basically have to be bedridden and not able to do anything under their provisions, and I just happen to fall under them. I will tell you that there is no use applying for LTD if you haven't applied for SS disability. And then you need an attorney, otherwise you'll waste your time. I'm sorry to hear so many of you are upset or disgusted with this insurance company, but I have had been treated great and had no problems along the way. They need paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork from every doctor you go to this will validate your disability, and also call them everyday until you get every thing they need like I did. Unfortunately, we are our own advocate, and if you don't do it yourself, no one else will. Good luck to all of you in the future.

However, now, they are saying they are denying it again as of 03/15/2012. I know the reason they do this to a lot of people. They try and make them stop the people from pursuing their benefits. This should be illegal and they should be held accountable.

I will do everything in my power to continue to fight for my benefits and research everything I can to find out if I can sue them for intentional harassment. If anybody wants to file a class action lawsuit against them, please let me know. Send me a fax at ** with your contact information, with the reason you want to file the class actions and I will be glad to talk to you. To everyone that has filed a complaint, don't give up, that's what they want!

I took out this additional insurance to cover the cost in the event of a mishap like this. I have been in contact with the insurance company regularly and they claim my doctor's notes are not sufficient enough. The doctor has stated optic neuritis which is the diagnosis. I cannot drive and they are still not accepting this as a claim. I am sick by this insurance company. I should not have to be making phone calls and leg work when I cannot even take care of myself. I will be looking into alternatives instead of using this company. I also plan on getting an attorney to follow up with this matter. You have no idea how upset I am with Hartford. I have two hospital visits, neurologists, primary doctor, ophthalmologist, EENT specialist all to back up my claim. I intend to fight this to the fullest and I will never recommend you to anyone .

With his history over the last several years, it is impossible for him to work since he is a liability to employers! After nothing but years and years of paperwork and harrassment in order to keep his benefits, this doesn't surprise me. Now they want to say he is no longer disabled, and all after social secuity has deemed that he is totally disabled! Unreal!

I will not stop until this is fixed. I will also recover any legal fees from Hartford as well. I do not care if I have to work 9 jobs! When I am done, I am going to advocate for this type of negligence to be outlawed as well!

I was originally approved for the LTD by The Hartford on 1/01/2010 for the first 24 month which by the policy language meant that I was unable to perform the basic duties of my job as a pharmaceutical representative. Considering my injury, this was a no brainer. As also stated on the policy, in order to continue to receive benefits for LTD, after 24 months I must also show that I continue to be disabled and unable to perform the duties of any job for which I have the education or experience to do and make 80% of my pre disability salary.

During this evaluation period, I provided The Hartford with several letters from my attending orthopedic surgeon, my last primary doctor, a second opinion orthopedic specialist and a GI doctor. They advised me in writing in the fall of 2011 that my claim had been approved and that my benefits would continue as long as I continue to meet the definition of disability.

There is one very important note, in August of 2010, without prior warning or letter, The Hartford suddenly terminated my benefits, stating that they had their doctor (no idea who) had a conversation with my surgeon who determined that I was no longer disabled and was approved to return to my work duties. I immediately spoke with my surgeon who told me he had never had such conversation, that in fact The Hartford was lying and that he was not surprised since most insurances commit these injustices to not have to pay out disability benefits.

I followed the rules of the appeal which was finally approved in February of 2011 and my pay was reinstated and the back pay was also sent. Unfortunately, during these six months I had no income whatsoever, and was forced to borrow to be able to exist until my company pension (which was the only income I had available) could be sent to me. In other words, I had to withdraw my retirement pension because The Hartford acted in bad faith, lied and forced me to have no choice but to take this money in order to pay bills, food, utilities, car, gas etc. I also fell significantly behind my mortgage which is now in the process of foreclosure, although I have also requested a loan modification and have paid a lawyer to assist me with this.

Although, I was approved as stated previously to continue to receive benefits under the terms of the policy until 2026 as long as I continue to be disabled, The Hartford is making me check in with them on a monthly basis to find out if I have made any income from a consulting job I decided to take to see if I could supplement my income from my disability which is 70% of what I used to make when I was able to work.

In addition to having the company I consult for notify them in writing that no commissions have been paid to then release by monthly check, I have also received a letter stating that they have requested medical information from my primary doctor which has not been sent to them, and therefore might affect receiving my disability benefits.

I feel that The Hartford is constantly holding a knife over my head, and that they purposely make you feel that there is no security involved in you receiving your disability payments. I have expressed to my analyst that I have been suffering from anxiety and depression due to this situation, and due to the fact that my whole life has been turned upside down by my accident. I tried to see a therapist to be able to discuss my feelings, but due to economic issues I was unable to continue to pay $100.00 per session.

Now she too, has been asked to send any medical information she has for me to The Hartford. I have done everything The Hartford has asked of me including filing a third time for SS benefits with a company The Hartford referred to me, and is being paid by them on my behalf. I was also told that any benefits paid to me, any back pay benefits are owed to The Hartford and must be sent to them upon receipt to my checking account.

Again, I had no problem with this, and gave my permission for this withdrawal when and if I do get the SS approval for disability. What I want to know is can a company like The Hartford continue to cause emotional anxiety and distress to me, which not only has added to the depression I have due to the accident and inability to work and perform other functions of my life, but also the constant fear of being left with no income when I have no other means of providing food, and shelter for myself and my children.

I see this as Goliath taking full advantage of their size and influence to keep the money we paid them in good faith to provide us with insurance in case of anything like this happening. I want to know if there is any legal course that can be taken against them for acting in bad faith, for lying, for their continuous harassment, and emotional stress on people like me that truly has a legitimate disability and claim.

So, my question for a person who is terminally ill but can walk and use hands, what? My employer is no longer using Hartford and I can see why with their unsuccessful handling of disability claims. Just wish I broke my foot in the New Year.

Hartford is being unrealistic about requiring Doctor's notes and testing, the same day as your Doctor's appointment (Many doctors have to send notes out to be scripted). They have repeatedly denied me a check when the Doctor's notes weren't in the same day.

The last time they asked for notes my Doctor faxed them and then I got the excuse that my claim has been sent to the Clinical Dept. for review that was Monday, October 10, 2011. I was told by my examiner that the department was "short handed", but everything they needed was in and I would hear something this week.

If you went to your bank to pick up your check and they said, "I'm sorry but we were short handed, we haven't had time to process your check, it's NOT available" that would be unacceptable! The answer I got from Hartford is unacceptable! I have diagnoses of Small Fiber Neuropathy. I am unable to work, it’s hard enough to survive on the 40% of my wages (only 40% because when I started my job with Wal-Mart, nobody had the time to train me in, let alone tell me of insurance available!). Then the checks are withheld, let alone my health insurance is not being paid. I am very upset and I want this insurance process reviewed.

We were fully expecting her to return to work by August but in July, she injured her shoulder and her STD ran out the end of July. We did long term disability paperwork in July after her shoulder starting bothering her. The analyst had us file for SSD and told us that the knee may be pre-existing so that won't be approved and he said Hartford is waiting for med records from doctors.

We were at her doctor this week and they have not received a request yet from the Hartford and we are being told by Hartford that they requested it. So is this a stall or what. We don't know what to think.

Well, lo and behold when social security issued a check for back payments, I owed the Hartford the entire check. Now, they are attempting to get me to file for dependent benefits so they can take that as well. I think there is something really fraudulent going on here. I really don't care to deal with them anymore. Social Security said that I don't have to file dependent benefits. It's enough to mess with me and aggravate this disease but to also threaten to mess with my children? Preposterous!

There should be some type of hardship that you can claim. In this economy my husband is unemployed, I am sick and I have two children about to go to college. Paying them this entire overpayment still leaves me broke with the same bills and no sign of relief!

I was able to produce 25 to 35 stacks of completed pallets a day without a hi-lo, the first shift can do at most 20 with a hi-lo. I’m a man who gives my all to a job and I will put all of me into that job and I still feel that way, but I cannot do that now. At the end of 6 months of doing this job, I felt some burning and stinging in my neck. I went to my supervisor and let him know that I could not do as much as I used to and that it’s starting to hurt. He said to sit down when I needed to and he gave some people who could help when he could. During a weekend I was changing the oil in my truck and my left arm went numb with a little pain with it.

I went to work that Monday and thought if I just work it out, it will get better. That didn't work. My arm is still numbed and painful to use. I went to the plant manager and told him I could not lift the pallets anymore because of my arm. So he put me on another job, wrapping finished pallets and pushing them onto the conveyor to the warehouse. Still not being able to use my arm, I used my shoulder and thought it was going well till the manager came to me and told me to go home and see my doctor because he can't have me working like that.

And that I need to write on my doctor’s note that it’s not work-related. The Doctor put me on a weight lift restriction, but they wouldn't let me work because of the restriction, unless I would work on computer. They never offered a clinic visit by company doctor. Anyway, I asked for my short-term DISI insurance. After a month of the company messing up my paper work, I called Hartford myself. They didn’t get anything from where I worked to start anything. So I did it all myself and on a monthly basis, I would have to pull teeth just to get them to pay me.

When the short-term ended, they automatically started my LTD. It’s been over three months since that started and I’m back to pulling teeth with no money. They keep asking for paperwork they have gotten already and anything else they can ask for to delay my LTD claim. I figure they owe me about 5 grand since my LTD started and it’s climbing. It’s going on almost 4 months and no decision has been made. Isn’t there a time limit? Injury was in July of 2010 and now its may 2011. I need help. I’m gonna lose our apartment if they don't get out of their high chairs and do what is proper. My feeling is if the person reviewing the claims can find a way to not pay them, that person will get part of the money owed to you. That’s how corps are nowadays.

I’m unable to pay rent, I can’t buy enough food, clothes and school supplies for my two kids, and I have no money for gas to get to doctor's appointment.

So, back to getting cut off in Feb 11, I talked to my attorney (the same one they set me up with) and told her what they did. I asked her about the re-payment agreement and she told me that it was a completely voluntary service and that they had no right to force me into it! That is the equivalent of blackmail! So, I am filing my appeal without much hope going by what I have read. But if anyone out there is interested in contacting an attorney about a class action settlement, you can email me @ **********@aol.com and put Hartford class action in the subject line so I don't delete it. It looks like the attorney general's of NY and CT both sued the Hartford for fraud with retirement annuities and made them pay millions. Maybe we all can get together and file a class action lawsuit. Since I was just denied, I haven't suffered any damages yet, but if I receive nothing going forward, it will literally destroy my family as we have very little income coming in due to all my medical bills and having to have filed a Ch 13, most of my husband's pay goes to it.

My story is similar with everyone else that has dealings with Hartford. You pay your premiums and they will try every way possible to deny your claim. I did not know how unethical Hartford LTD Insurance were until I requested my file and read what my adjuster JoAnn ** had written in my file in an attempt to mislead what was actually said and what actually happened. For example, I was called early one morning by JoAnn and asked for a document. I was recovering from surgery. I had a very good record keeping system that was scanned into my computer at home and I could connect to the plant where I worked if I needed to get a document.

I got the adjuster JoAnn the document she asked me for within a few minutes from my computer at home with one or two clicks on the keyboard. Keep in mind, I am sick and can hardly move or hold my head up to do this task the Hartford adjuster requested. In her file I read later called claimant and he was typing away at the keyboard.

This is one of the many ways they misrepresent what actually happens in a claim. Hartford did not like for you to e-mail records because it left a trail and they could not say I did not get that document. I trusted Hartford at the time because I was sick and they knew it from the medical records. I worked hard trying to get better with my lower back. My doctor even told me he had never seen a man work so hard to get better. I had numerous injections, nerve blocks, neuro stimulator implant, artificial disc implanted from L1 to L5 along with bone fusion, metal plate with screws and stabilizers. Hartford paid me 60% of my pay for 24 months and then told me what jobs I could do. Both my doctors told them I could not work. All the paperwork was submitted and I kept proof of that unknowingly they were in every step attempting to deny my claim any way possible.

My treating physician wrote them a letter telling them what a travisity it was not to pay a sick man and explained to them that he had his hand on my back when it would separate among other medical conditions associated with my back. I only knew I hurt day and night on a high dose of morphine. I did not have my last surgery until after they quit paying. The way they first tried to denied my claim was to attempt to get my doctors to agree I was able to work and my doctors said no verbally and in writing. Then Hartford hires doctors that would pick and choose the medical record. One example is I have been hurting for 6 months but today after injecting my back with 2 hours of shots I feel better. They would write in the report patient states he feels better and is smiling but left out the past six months of suffering and the next six months of suffering.

I already knew some doctors could be paid to do and say anything unethical but did not believe Emerson Electric would allow someone they contracted to be unethical and act in bad faith. This is how Hartford operates and the adjuster, supervisors and up to the VP's are all on board with this type bad faith tactics. My case is in federal court. Its been well over year since Hartford paid. They left me sitting with no income. I'm sure they will drag this out as long as possible in court because they do not fear penalty under ERISA Law because there is none. I hold Emerson Electric responsible also for letting something like this happen. They talk ethics in all directions but it's a front. Emerson Electric does not care either. My best advice is to not purchase Long Term Disability Insurance through your employer.

Instead go to a local insurance agent and purchase Short Term and LTD, then if there is a problem the local state can order the insurance company to pay. You can sue the insurance company and be granted damages of several sorts with interest and attorney fees. The way to win against Hartford is a Class Action Suit. It would be hard for Hartford Insurance Company to get a jury that someone close to them has not been damaged by Hartford Insurance Company. I encourage everyone to report your experience with Hartford good or bad and that class action will come around. Class Actions are the only law suits Hartford dreads. If your congressman or senator accepts insurance donations, my advice is to vote them out as they won't help the working man or should I say sick man.

Dell & Schaefer tracked down the analyst for the Worker's claim, which is a company in another state that GA outsources to, and got the receipt stating that Hartford had received the denial three weeks earlier. Thank heavens for Dell & Schaefer.

In May 2008, I started the nightmare of filing for benefits. I finally received some. I was approved for SSI. I did not have a check yet and they had their hand out for everything they had paid me. I had no idea that this would happen. The Hartford states that is in the policy I signed. I took every last dime I had to pay back some. I did and in June 1, 2010 while collecting SSI, I am somehow not qualified to get benefits. My doctors all say my condition is worse I have nerve damage along with many serious issues. I have and will continue to fight the Hartford because what they are doing is not right. I hope that I can make a difference or one will. God bless and may God give us strength to justify the wrongs of the Hartford.

They started claim saying all I get was $50 a month for a grand total of $15,000 but they cut me off soon as they could. Maybe a year went by and told me their claims person said there were 4 jobs out in the world I could do. They also stated they realize that I can't pass a physical, get real! I have had no luck getting a lawyer take this case. Hartford knows I'm disabled but there's no way to get them to pay. I paid these guys in good faith. What a joke! They sent a physician's statement (any way the doctor answered it, Hartford would cut me off--if you saw the statement you would know!).

Try and live on $1000 a month with presciptions and child support. My docteo told me I can't sit for 15 minutes or stand for 15 minutes. Every night I wake up 4-8 times and am never sleeping for more than 3 hours. Hartford is tricky, the way they word things. So that's why they kept the $15,000 to be paid while I suffer! I had been homeless for two years. I am now home in a steady address!

God bless all the disabled and God grant them peace as Hartford drags them through hell. God bless those who have died during the process of Hartford's tragic denial process and greed.

Since they keep on denying my claim wrongfully, I'm now without money. I've lost utilities and barely can eat with help from friends and family. I'm in grave danger of losing everything including my own life because I cannot afford to go to my doctors or get my meds. If anyone can help me with this company please do! And I pray no one else has to deal with this!

Since the keep wrongfully denying my claim, I’m now with no money; I’ve lost utilities and barely can eat with help from friends and family. I’m in grave danger of losing everything including my own life because I cannot afford to go to my doctors or get my medicines. If anyone can help me with this company please do! And I pray no one else has to deal with this!

They sent a person to interview me, their own person told me that the next step would be to see a doctor they choose and then termination. He also said I should fight them because denial would be for unfounded reasons. They have come up with some of the craziest reasons for termination. All of the tapes and the reports from their doctor were sent to my specialist that still says I can't work. I am trying to fight them, but since they are given all the rights under the E.R.I.S.A. law and we are denied our rights and the prospect of justice makes it hard.

I have talked to several law offices and keep hearing that it is not enough money for them. I am still trying to fight, wish me luck. We all need to let our congressman, etc. know that the laws need to cover us, like it does them. ERISA does not apply to government people of any kind and it's just not fair.

Because of this, I can't even afford to address further treatment for my spine. I am 60 years old, and because of this medical history, I am a poor risk for any employer. My own hospital forced me into an early retirement. Hartford did not follow through with their benefit plan as it was originally presented to me. Their plan said I was to receive 60% of my income if I were to become disabled. Instead, Hartford forced me into applying for Social Security Disability almost immediately or be cut off from receiving any of Hartford's benefits. Once I was awarded SSI, Hartford claimed any monies received from SSI was an overpayment, and that I would receive no more Hartford Insurance supplement until the overpayment was paid back. So now, I won't receive any further payment from them for the next eight months.

I took the LTD Hartford Insurance for financial protection in the event of any catastrophic illness. I didn't want to tax an already taxed Social Security system. But now I've found, this is not the case. Hartford doesn't pay 60% of a person's income. Relying on Social Security, they attempt to pay nothing. To me, this is consumer fraud. For 13 years I made premiums, and I'm no better off than if I'd never paid them. If they were only going to be a bridge to collecting early social security, they should have made this clear in their literature. I would have been far better off socking my premiums away in my own personal fund. What they claim is misleading. And now, they're telling me I must have ongoing medical treatment for my back. How can I afford this? Before it's over, I will never recoup even a fraction of my money. The bones in my back are not going to heal. I cannot put my spine back in alignment. But they want me to create additional health expenses.

They then hired a Dr. ** to review the tape and video. He stated that he spoke with my physician and that he stated I was no longer disabled. My physician has stated that this was a lie and that he did not say that. With the report of Dr. **, who I have never seen, Hartford acted in bad faith and terminated my benefits without sending me any records, reports or anything they used to support the termination. The letter also stated that I could contact the insurance commission of IIllinois. I live in Ohio. The letter was full of mistakes, repeated the same information several times.

I am writing this complaint for her since she is unable to even get on her computer or write a letter. After I finish with this, I am calling the Department of Insurance and an attorney for her. Hopefully we can get a resolution to the problem soon so she is not under more added stress.

At that time they finally admitted my injury and signed papers saying they would pay and my lawyer stated to me they have 30 days to pay. Today is Aug 10 and still nothing from the Hartford. After several more conversations with my lawyer, Hartford told him about mistakes they made delayed my payment once again. They said they mailed out on Saturday. Insurance companies making payments on Saturday? Give me a break. These people are criminals and should lose their license. Well, it's now been 779 days since I was injured, all of this at a cost to me of over $50k just about everything I've worked for 4 the past 20+ years.

Here is my complaint: The salesperson never bothered to mention that if I qualify for SS disability that lets them off the hook! No paperwork from Hartford ever mentioned this. As far as I am concerned, it should work the same as Life Insurance. But you might want to check. Maybe Hartford believes that if you have another life insurance policy they should not have to pay. Hey, it's your money and your family! Like I don't have enough problems dealing with my health this representative took great delight in telling me that my benefits were going to be reduced.

On October '09, I became disabled again and used my short term benefits until it expired in April '10. Then I applied for the Long Term benefits. It was then that I learned that the long term benefits are pending your application for Social Security Benefits, for which they offer to help you apply and process for a fee. In addition, any benefits that Hartford pays to you is automatically deducted from any Social Security awarded to you.

In fact, Social Security had already approved my application and Hartford ended up paying me a cap amount of $195.00 per month. I think it is unscrupulous for Hartford to be selling this long term disability insurance without disclosing this information during their enrollment period. The brochure they give you has a small print asterisk statement, which says that the amount of insurance award would be offset by other benefits.

When I called N.Y.S Public Employees Federation, they argued that they disclosed the information and sent me a disclosure manual, which I had never seen before. I was counting on these benefits to cope with the financial stress created by an unexpected/unplanned permanent disability which forced me into early retirement. I can't believe the N.Y.S Employees Federation sponsors these crooks.

Thousands of P.E.F union members are paying monthly premiums for this long term insurance and they don't know they are being sold a temporary loan from the Hartford Insurance Company. I want to know what the Commissioner of Insurance is doing about this Highway Robbery. Also the N.Y.S employees are being used and abused with the help of P.E.F. Why would anyone purchase long term disability insurance, if you are paying for social security coverage. If you apply for social security benefits and need assistance to survive during the process, one can apply for Social Security Supplement which would do the same as Hartford without the years of monthly deductions from your salary -- deduct from the SSA award, whatever they had given you.

I can understand if from this day forward the LTD pay does not continue since SSD is in play. But why is repayment a requirement? Yes, there is some back pay from SSD. But if a person is disabled, that means they have had numerous doctors visits and other medical necessities and not everyone has the luxury of health insurance so there are bills to pay. People do not become rich from LTD or SSD!

We are in an appeal process and my doctor found out from talking to them last week on the phone that the paperwork has been just sitting on a desk. No doctor has ever reviewed my case and the lady on the phone asked my doctor, "What is a pseudocyst anyway? " He told her, "I don't have time to teach you. You are interfering with my work with this patient and I need to speak with someone with medical background. After he spoke with a manager, my paperwork was sent out for medical review. I can't afford the special diet I need, can't afford medicines, can't afford to pay rent yet I have to go into surgery in a few days and the Hartford knows this.

I am facing an eviction. I can't afford the special diet I'm supposed to have. The pseudocyst is enlarging. Now the size of a grapefruit. Stress causes the worst pain. Am seeing a psychiatrist since November 2009 for treatment of depression, anxiety and sleep disorder. I believe with all my heart that the harassment and then neglect of the Hartford team has interfered with my rehab. Maybe I would have needed surgery anyway to deal with this pseudocyst or maybe I wouldn't. Who knows. I know I went a full year without any medicine for sleep, anxiety or depression and that I attribute to the Hartford.

While they were reviewing and questioning repeatedly initially to find out of this $50 mortality rate, rare disease was a pre-existing condition. I lost my home and car in Atlanta. Now during the appeal process while I am facing surgery in a few days, I am also facing eviction from my new apartment back in California. I have worked hard all my life. I have never been disabled. I've raised two children who are now adults without any assistance; not even a food stamp. I thought I had my needs covered through my package at my job in the event I became sick. I was wrong.

I worked until 11-4 2009. However, I was unable to do five days a week. Disney did a small settlement for the injury and I no longer had a job. I was approved for Social Security Disability which will not even start until June of 2010. I have had a short and long term disability policy through my employer which is handled by the Hartford Insurance company. I contacted them and put in a claim for disability to cover me from the time I left work until my social security starts. I was told since the original Workman's Comp doctor had released me to go back to work that I was not eligible for benefits.

I sent them a letter of awards showing that social security had approved me for disability and since they are the deciding organization in the United States as whether you are legally disabled that should prove that I am not able to work but they do not agree. I was only trying to get some type of income to cover the six month-interim that I am not employed and Social Security benefits take effect. I thought I had protected myself in the event that something like this would occur. I was wrong paying 17 years of premiums and they don't want to pay the six months that I have no income.

The consequence of this action has left me with a home I have lived in and paid for for the last 17 years is going to go into foreclosure. I also am being forced to file bankruptcy for my cards and have had zero income except my tax return since November 2009. I have had to file for food stamps and home energy credit just to have food and energy to run heat and power. My family has helped out but I am single and 56 and they are not in much better shape financially than I am. I don't even know who to file a complaint with.

How someone who gets injured doing a job for an employer can find themselves in a position that they no longer have a job, are unable to use the insurance that they have paid into for 17 years and is left with a few thousand dollars to live on the rest of their life is beyond my comprehension. I thought the fight would be to get my Social Security Disability but once they were sent my medical records, they approved me within 45 days. I filed with Hartford at the same time and still have not gotten an answer.

Their attorney tried to have the files sealed because of the low offers of $30,000 until I am seventy. I am now fifty two. Even though I have never signed this agreement and told my attorney several times I wanted to go to court, this agreement was (if you can call it that) done on the phone. I was crying so hard he could not understand me. I told him he did not know what he was forcing me to do and the repercussions of it.

Bottom line for me is I cannot live the next seventeen years off $65,000 out of the $130,000 settlement no matter how I invest it. I am still totally disabled. I have not signed the settlement agreement that they are still changing on me. What really kills me is the fact that on March 8, my attorney knew I still wanted to go to court, and on March 12, he canceled the lawsuit as settled.

I could not get another attorney to help me with any advice whatsoever, and I tried several. I would never willingly sign away 17 years of benefits of $1069.67 per month. They were even trying to lower this amount because of the cost of living raises we receive in our social security benefits. Hartford had never lowered it in the past. I think my only hope now is to refuse to sign and make the court force it and file a motion of forced under protest and hope I can appeal to a higher court.

I was pondering having a baby, a "disability" that would be covered by short-term disability insurance if you had it for more than a year before birth. It was recommended that I sign up during their open enrollment period. Unfortunately, the open enrollment period created 2 tiers of benefits. If you signed up, the best benefit you could get was $300 every week for 26 weeks. There was an additional tier of $500 a week that you still had to fill out a personal health form for.

I was very keen on being able to stay home with my child for the first 6 months of life, but I make a good amount of money. My household needed the $500 a week to make a dent in the losses it would be suffering right when I needed money the most. So I bit the bullet and sent in the form. A few weeks later, I received a denial in the mail. I had been denied, because I have depression.

Mind you, on the form I had explained that I had never been out of work because of it and that it was controlled by medication. I called them and asked if maybe there was some kind of misunderstanding since my depression had never affected my health and attendance. I was told that apparently (and this is the part that boggles my mind), Hartford denies anyone who has depression automatically. They will not allow you to purchase coverage.

I told them that I was appalled that they would discriminate against a whole (huge) class of people like that, and they snottily said they would make a note of my feelings in my account. That is an awfully large group of disenfranchised people.

My doctor contended I am still disabled. However, Hartford has made up lies and distortions in my medical files and based their denial on lies/distortions that Hartford created! For instance, Hartford said I refused to see a psychiatrist. They based neurologist doctors' decisions based on an in-home interview by a Hartford surveillance investigator.

Their investigator fabricated a story in his notes, saying I walk my dog for one hour, twice a day. There are all kinds of tweaking and creative writing where they jumbled the records and screw all the information up, so it is all in their favor. It is impossible to fight a team of Hartford lawyers, doctors, investigators, while begin sick and disabled. People just get railroaded by Hartford all the time, and with ERISA laws, they are screwed!

Law enforcement officers believe when they go on the job that they will be taken care of if they get injured or disabled in connection with providing public service. I was set up for a security position interview by the counselor and I found out she told them the Hartford would pay two months of my wages. I was humiliated and depressed to think that 35 years of law enforcement would be reduced to backstabbing to get me off a service I paid for. I am now trying to live on $1,400 a month. I am aware of other Police Officers and Law enforcement that this has happened to. They wait until your separation from the department to attack when they know you have no money or access to attorneys.

Skip to this past October when I received a letter from Hartford telling me that due to a miscalculation at Hartford I was "overpaid" almost $2000 over the past 3 years. They gave me 15 days to pay it in full. Of course, I didn't have it, I live off disability. After the 15-day period, Hartford turned the debt over to a collection agency and now I am getting harassed from them. The name of the collections agency? The Hartford Collection Agency. I told them I could pay it back to them the same way I received it, in payments, but that was not good enough for them.

When she tried to make appeals, it never got to anyone. When she sent checks, they never cashed them. They would give out fake phone numbers, or keep giving the same numbers where no one answered the phone or called her back. They still owe her at least $15,000 in back pay.

In the past, they had hired sleazy independent investigators who wrote on their reports that I had underwear hanging in my bedroom (guess how they knew that?). They sent me to an independent medical examiner who spoke to me for 10 minutes and was paid 1/2 of my yearly benefits for this office visit. He of course also twisted all the data from the tests that had been interpreted by my treating physicians and said that even though the tests his staff ran verified evidence of no malingering, that I was probably "subconsciously motivated" to not return to work, therefore I should be able to.

There are more horror stories associated with this company that I don't have the energy to dictate. Though there are some very caring humane people who work there, my caseworker was one of the coldest, cruelest human beings I have ever spoken with. I guess you have to be able to do the kinds of things they are doing to people who rightly are owed their meager livelihoods on disability. The stress of not knowing how you will eat, afford your medicine or pay your mortgage is unimaginably horrible on an already sick body.

Over the years, Hartford Life has quit paying me my benefits several times. It then took two years for there to be enough back pay for an attorney to take the case then another year or two for them to pay me, and it's always before they caught up my back pay and re-started my benefits. I got stuck paying my attorney, suffering all of the worry and problems that went along with not having money. Then another few years passed, and it started all over again.

This time, they quit paying me, which is always because I never have my driver's license and copy of social security card to them within fifteen days of their mailing their request letter to me, which I usually get somewhere along the twelfth day after they wrote the letter. The policy states I have ninety days to get to a doctor and have the paperwork filled out and returned to them. They also have to give me an extension if I cannot get an appointment within this time. Last time I looked, these numbers have not changed.

This time, they quit paying me in 2005. It has ruined my credit. I no longer own my home, and the court house does from all of the lawsuits for nonpayment of bills. I cannot file bankruptcy and keep my home. I had closed all of the accounts, but it did no good. They still acquired massive charges. I too have been followed, taped, and god knows what by private investigators and who knows what else.

After reading some of the other complaints, I wonder if my prowler problems and peeping tom problems for the last fifteen years has been from Hartford Life. I too have had people park and stare. I am well used to this, and I have to wonder if they pay the neighbors to spy and lie about things. I also wonder if they are taping my phone calls, taking mail out of my mail box, and things of this nature. I only know somebody has been. I am darn tired of not being able to run my air conditioner or heat more than one room in my home in the winter. I am tired of having to go to the food banks for outdated food and tired of asking the churches for help with the utility bills and get told no. I am just out there wasting my money, just what you want to hear when you are in danger of having the utilities turned off - that you are simply a worthless deadbeat.

I am darn tired of being haled into court every few months on credit cards bills that are over-inflated by hundreds to thousands of dollars. I'm tired of having my bank account garnished, even though they have to give it back. The bank makes out, keeping their legal fees. Bank of America was one hundred, and the attorneys doing this know I am on SSD and that they cannot touch this meager amount. But it does not stop them from placing garnishments on every bank they can think of, all the while adding charges to the accounts. It should be illegal after the first one.

All of this I can lay at the feet of Hartford Life, who in their opinion, I cannot drive a semi any longer. But I can drive an escort truck. Let me see. One would think that the ** (just to mention a few of the drugs I take for pain) would keep me from driving a truck, but not an escort truck. I cannot be responsible to drive the said truck, just lead it through major cities and be responsible for the safety of all around it. It's messed up, isn't it. Not to mention, it is a daylight to dark job and you're driving as hard and fast as you can. I am sure they are going to take care of me when my back goes out and I cannot walk or help when my bodily functions go awry. As my back specialist says, it is simply ridiculous, Hartford Life.

Pressure of same and medical problems worsened my depression. They would sit outside our home in plain view and made their presence known. My home was filled with holes drilled in the walls and all the window screens where cut with slits. They used outside cameras and they would cut lines and moved - lights broken and unscrewed.

After 2009, I had enough and sent a letter to them saying I did not wish to pursue this any more due to their vicious ways. In return, I again was stalked the last few days by a car parking directly across and they just sit there in plain view. My sanity is worth more than money. Even though I was receiving benefits which they where offsetting due to Social Security settlement, I declined to receive future benefits.

Everything has halted now and I am forever scarred by the ruthlessness of this Hartford company. I paid dues for almost 20 years before coming disabled. They also count any income even if it comes to your wife or son. This seems wrong in many ways. Little people seem to have no rights at all in this new corporate world of greed. Thanks for reading and beware of corporations with a big smile.

ERISA Law allows insurance companies to completely screw over people like me and many others who are legitimately sick and count on their disability checks. My monthly check was for $10,000 a month. I have now hired an ERISA lawyer to help gain back my rights to get the money I, as well as my family, rightfully deserve.

However, I no longer believe in long-term disability (LTD). There are essentially no penalties to nail the insurance companies with for their terrible behavior. How ERISA ever got through legislation is beyond me. I do not know what the outcome will be with my case, but as far as my wife, children and I are concerned, we have agreed to take our case all the way to Federal Court.

For all of you out there who became disabled, I do not know what to say. ERISA gives the insurance companies the ability to do basically whatever they want. There is no such thing as long-term disability, unless you're actually brain-dead or something so sever. I believe LTD benefits are the biggest fraud being placed upon people who paid their premiums and are trying to do the right thing so we can still pay for our families needs.

I stated in my previous summary to call your congressman. I now believe that is a waste. They are the same people who allowed this ERISA animal to be placed into law. Good Luck to everyone. We all are going to need it. I would certainly "boycott" all of Hartford's products, and tell everyone you know to do the same. I doubt it will do much good, but who knows? We are going to have to file for bankruptcy. We will lose everything because of them.

I jumped through hoops to comply but no response. I called twice and got a supervisor’s voice mail saying I want to appeal. No one returned my calls. I asked them why did they pay me from 4-05-09, till 05-05-09 and not pay me till 6-01-09. They stated I was not in compliance because I did not give them access to my medical insurance provider; they wanted to search back into my personal records. I said that is a privacy issue. My surgeon and family doctor gave them what they requested. I also feel this is an issue with HIPPA/OCR.

I have been trying to recover and all they did was cold and rude. I am 60 years old and this made me depressed and discouraged. I pay through Susquehanna Bank of PA for my STD. I feel I deserve what little they should pay me. I thank you very much.

Also, my policy states I must have the same type of job and be guaranteed to make a minimum of $120,000 a year or I am still disabled. Also, according to their own job study they did on me, they stated my occupation was an FC for financial consultant. In order to be one, I have to have many NASD and Insurance licenses, all of which were terminated in the last few years due to being in one surgery after another and not doing my continuing ed because I am totally disabled. If there is anyone out there who has experienced the same or similar conduct of bad faith practices, breach of contract or torturous interference, please email me as we are preparing a class action case against Hartford and also trying to get Mr. Bill O'Reilly to take an interest in what Hartford is doing.

To top it all off, Hartford just got approved for TARP money. Everyone should call their Congressman, Senators and the like. Don't forget to get your local papers involved. In Hartford, the local newspaper is the Hartford Current. Email me at ** if you have any whistleblower emails that are damaging to Hartford's bad faith practices. Thank you. Please send me any internal Hartford email or inter-office memorandum that states or implies to cut down the number of claimants. Send me everything. I will get it to where it needs to go. Also, I hope everyone in the country boycotts any and all Hartford products. What they are doing is nothing short of criminal. Turn them in to your states insurance regulatory entity.

I am in PT right now and my current insurance has expired as of May 01. Hartford has denied my claim stating my fall was no fault of the employers. My employer terminated my employment after working there for 5 years stating, he would have to find a replacement for me as I was coming in too many times late from PT or calling in sick since the fall and I cannot receive unemployment benefits, as he filed a complaint of gross misconduct due to the many complaints of my being late.

I was late at least 3 times in the past 3 weeks since trying to return part time. I have severe headaches and neck pain and shoulder and back pain which was slowly getting better with PI but now, I have no benefits as of May and I cannot pay out of pocket since I have no income. I went from making $27 an hour to zero. I am now living on my retirement money and trying to apply for social security benefits and trying to replace my current health insurance. It would cost $450 a month to keep it. I cannot afford it. I do not know if I should pursue this with attorney or not, still deciding and probably will.

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 separate entity and has no basis on what I pay as far as support for him. However what I receive from Social Security is considered income and is used to base what I pay in Support as well as what I receive from Hartford. So I ask why is Hartford holding me responsible for what he is receiving from Social Security. What is wrong with our system?

Our finances without work need all the help we can get. Our claim is only for about 700.00 but we sit with no income and no payments from our insurance policy.

I then called them to verify that they had received everything they needed and was told yes, it would now go up for review. Called regularly to request the status of my claim, often not getting answers as per their policy which a representative 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 analyst called me and informed me that my request for my benefits to be extended had been denied. Firstly I don't understand how these companies can totally ignore anything that my orthopedic surgeon had said.

My job requires me to be on my feet my whole shift, constantly bending and stretching...... My restrictions are limited walking and standing and NO bending or stretching. To cap it all I am still having to use a cane to walk....how can I do my job. There is no other job within my company that I can do with these restrictions. My hip was not cemented in and failure to follow my surgeons orders could result in my popping my hip out. I know I can appeal but I have already been without my money for 3 weeks and cannot afford to wait for 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 complaints 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. Please note should anyone need to file a complaint to them the website is www.ins.state.ny.us. It seems to me that The Hartford are more than aware that many people cannot 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.

I was videoed 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 their 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 policies from Hartford and at that time I was videoed - terminated and when I was going to bring this up in court I was offered a settlement in 2008. Hartford tried to come to my house, I refused. LTD CANNOT be trusted on anything. 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 policyholders get the shaft... Good luck to all as the last 10 years were hell on earth to me and my family.

My house may go into Foreclosure and I am a single mother and if I do not heal soon, I may not be able to return to work. I need them to stop harassing me so that I can get better!!

The Doctor released me to lite duty, i worked for a week or so and i could not take the concriete floor and the driving, So i went back to the Doctors and got a excuse to be off, The same day they called me and let me go. My credit cards are maxed out and my girlfriend is also out of $, I used her $ to. I havent paid my child support in 3 months. I look like a deadbeat to my x and my girlfriend is going to leave me if somthing dosent happen soon.

Hartford insurance has paid my medical bills but it takes forever. I am still in pain, my back and neck are worse. I am suppose to get a steriord shot for my back but it will be 1 week and 2 days. NO money and still suffering. I have talk to a lot of people and they have never heard of it taking so long for money and treatment. People are tired of talking at me, This has taken over my life and stressed me and everbody out. Why is the system so slow. Is it because of other jerks taking advantage of the system. This is so unfair.

So they told me I owed 96.00x the 5 months plus owed the money back they had paid me for my daughter,because SSI was paying her now. So now I am having to pay everything back that me and her got back pay from SSI,Plus another 2,000.00, because they said I didn't tell them all these things, when I know I did. They also put my first electronic deposist in someone elses account because of mistake in the bank account number which they got wrong.

I just don't think when you pay disability insurance for 14 years thinking they are going to have your back,so you want loose everything you got. They get your money all those years, then pay you a couple months making you think they care and then you end up paying almost as much back as you recieved from them. You would be better to take what money you paid a month and put it in your on savings so you will have it to fall back on. Hartford sure want help you in hard times.They take your money and you will never get much of it back.

I am her husband, and I am trying to get this out and help her..Now she has depression and has to see someone for that also and takes about 4 different meds. It just doesn't make since that when you need help the most the Hartford just don't care.

The other company for her social security benefit did recieve records because they mailed a letter to them not fax one. The other company sent me records of one visit they had from this year and they had not requested the rest for the year. when I faxed that to them they said it was not enough to open up the claim.And that they would send it through they appeal process. to see what happens with it.

But her adjustar has been real rude to us about it being our responsibility to get all med. records to her. And my daughter have memory lost after her seizures and she sleeps a lot she have had upto 8 seizures a day and she will be like a rag doll she just flops.she have 2 kids and I have to raise them. Hartford said her LTD disability will last till she get 65 years she is now 28 years old she worked on her job with having some seizures and my other daughter worked there also she worked from 1998-2005 and she was having them back to back till when I drop her off at work I would have to come back and get her and sometimes bring her clothes because of a accident she had. She started on short term in 6 mos. went to long term and this was it till JUNE 2008

My daughter was having two to three seizures a day and now it is gone back up till about 8 daily her brain is in a strain with that many in a day her memory is very bad she's very depressed we have no income but my social security and I have her two children and three more of my grands live with me.We have been trying to find agency to help pay some of our bills but we have not found no luck with it she applied for medicaid but its unknown if they approve it are not we are unsure how we can pay our bill next month and its a shame to have someone do anybody this way Government or Attorney General does nothing about it.

Due to economic hardship. I have retired. I am in need of the penison I am entited to. I put in many hours of labor that entitles me to benefits due at my time of need. The Hartford Insurance Company has not service me justice. The consequenes that I have endured are aniexty, depression, and mental stress trying to get justications of getting assess to my pension.

They are denying my claim. I submitted paperwork from wal-mart stating that they and their doctor claim it is not a work related injury, that is not sufficient enough because I had an independent medical evaluation done by my attorney's doctor stating it was work related that it opens the door for future possible worker's compensation monies, therefore the Hartford will not pay my insurance, but if they would pay my insurance then I am required to repay them any monies they give me if I receive worker's compensation or if I file and am awarded Disability.

This has put me in dire finacial straits. I went from having a good job and what I thought was finacial security (i.e. insurance) to living off of food stamps and my girlfriends disability check. I am about to lose my house, car, and everything. I was never told when I signed up for Hartford insurance all the restrictions, or I would never have joined. I paid this company for security and I have to rely on the VA and the state instead and the Hartford took my money.

When I was talking to someone from Hartford on the phone, they told me that I would qualify for the short disability only if I have left my work two weeks before my due date. Even when I explained them my health problems that were affecting my baby and me, and faxed them over appeal letter, notes, and letters from my doctor, they still are denying me.

I dont know what to do anymore. I had no money to cover my hospital bills and no money to pay my health insurance. Therefore, I had no choice but to quit my job and get free state insurance, so I can take my baby to her doctor visits. I still have to money, I defiantly can not afford a lawyer to help my with this situation.

Upon receiving Long Term Disability, I receieved a letter from the Hartford telling me that I had to apply for Social Security. I was also told that the amount I received from Social Security would be deducted from my disability. I told them that this was not the benefit package that I signed up for and showed them that this was not in the policy handbook that was given to us by ITT. I was told that this agreement was between the Hartford and ITT and that it was ITT responsiblity to tell us about this agreement. I again asked why wasn't any of this in our benefits handbook in which I received no answer. After receiving my transplant, my condition got worse and I had to have another transplant.

During this period I started receiving SSI. When I reported my SSI income to the Hartford, they said that I was overpaid and they took my entire disability payments. Currently I donot receive any disability at all. I was told that I will not receive any disability payments until they recoup what they consider was overpayment. I asked about an appeal process and was told that there was no appeal process. I was told that there decision was final and that there was nothing I could do but accept it. I then requested a copy of the handbook that stated this. I was sent three copies of the handbooks that was passed out by ITT.

Finally, upon further prodding, I was sent a copy of their proposed handbook which is clearly different and spelled out in detail the benefits. I cannot understand why we were led to believe we were getting one coverage, while in fact we were getting another. I was told that any income I receieve will be deducted from my disabiility. The purpose of my purchasing this insurance was to make sure that I would be able to take care of my family during my time of illness.

Due to the fact that they have now taken all of my income, the stress alone has caused me numerouos health issues. I have problems sleeping at nights. Im in jeopardy of losing my home. I can't even pay for my medicine. Currently I take medication for high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, neuropathy, and my doctors feel that I am depressed. How can they just take every dime that I paid for. Im paying for an insurance that I am not getting any coverage for. At this moment right now I have 5 Prescriptions that's at the pharmacy right now, that I need to take but I don't have the money to pay for them. I struggle to make doctor's appointments because I can't afford the gas to get there. I have to see at least 7 different specialists a week.

Battling this Terminal Cancer is hard enough without having to fight with Hartford Disability for something I've paid for. Please, please help me get my disability restarted. This is totally unfair. I have testimonials from other clients who have gone through the same thing including a former worker for the Hartford that was told the same thing that I was.We were told that we would receive 60% of our income and I think that the Hartford need to honor it's agreement. My wife has Power of Attorney over all my affairs due to the nature of my illness and has full rights to act and make decisions on my behalf. The illness that I have is Multiple Myeloma.

But things changed. As I read these comments above I see a lot that was done to me. They harassed myself as well as family members and especially my 72 year old mother. They (the PI they hired) parked right in front of her apartment with their lights on with them set right on in the living room. They just sit there. Watching to see what time we went to bed and what time we got up.

Folks, ALL I GOT TO SAY IS DON'T BELIEVE A WORD THEY TELL YOU. They sound so nice over the phone but.... The examiner they had come out to the house also took everything I said out of context. He worded it to fit what he needed me to say. The PI's lied on about 80% of the report. IT was after this I knew I could not trust them 1%. In their termination letter they stated many false accusations and used these to terminate my benefits the end of the year. WITHOUT ANY NOTIFICATION, until it was said and done.

I hired an attorney, who wasn't even an ERISA attorney. I should have used an ERISA attorney. I spent $6000 on fees, including hiring a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist that works for Social Security, yes FOR social security. His jaw dropped when he went through my file. The insurance company said out of 13000 jobs, they found 3 that I could do. Strange thing, no one knew what those jobs were. But they did pay the required amount to satisfy my claim defination of disabled. So they said I could do those jobs. Unfortunately, who is going to hire someone who is taking 13 different types medication especially 200mg Oxycontin a day. I would most certainly be a liability. I believe The Hartford terminates claims knowing that the customers can not hire attorneys because they cant afford them. I had 3 doc's at the time stating I was disabled. But they got some Hired Hands to review my records, and not even meet me, and determine that I was in fact able to work. My benefits were terminated without warning. And if you are on disability you know it comes at a price.

I appealed their decision, and according to ERISA they can request yet ANOTHER 45 days to make up their minds. Which is exactly what they did. Causing me even more hardship. My credit was ruined, I was homeless and like many other I though seriously about SUICIDE. Folks, I think that is exactly what they want us to do. Get rid of us and they don't have a claim. I think that once you have been approved for Social Security Disability, they should be a limit as to what they can do to you after that.

thay were supto to help me till age 65 thay even offter me i think over 40,000.00 but i need the checks over the years and i decline the 40. so thay say i could work and cut me off .if i cant work ,i cant belive tay can take me checks

They videotaped me for four days, without my knowledge out of 18 months out of work and decided I could sit for 8 hrs a day even though my blood pressure drops while sitting, my face swells, my heart will race, the same symptoms I get while standing or walking. My cardiologist documented all of this and explained to them I've had episodes in her office while sitting but they don't care. I just received a letter that they cut off all benefits, including what health insurance I had left for the next few months. Now I have no income, no insurance for myself and daughters and don't know where to turn. I don't see how they can do this to people and put their lives at risk. I now face the possibility of losing my car, my home, etc. How can they get away with not listening to the doctors who have been treating you?

I am now losing my monthly income and insurance benefits for myself and daughters that I should have had until August. My illness gets worse with stress and I have been a mess since all of this. Because they don't understand the autonomic dysfunction and everything that goes with that, they decided I didn't need the benefits and could work. I risk losing everything I own!

I have a son with some major Medical Problems. Due to this, I cannot get my bills paid and all the needed care for my son.

Now they are saying I received my policy amount from workers comp and they will not pay the claim. I purchased this insurance because I wanted to make sure I would be able to cover all my bills in the event of an injury at work. Is there something that can be done about this? I would not have purchased this insurance if it was stated on the application I filled out that they would not cover me if I received worker's comp because I know they will pay me max benefits.I have been stoned walled throughout this experience by the Worker's comp adjuster and Hartford insurance adjuster.

Once I got everything to Hartford it took them over 72 hours to make a decision, and again I had to call them to find out that they were denying me. Their reasoning was that I had a 5-day lapse of no work before the doctor placed me on leave. But, the reality is: I did not. The week prior to being placed on leave was Thanksgiving week, I had Wed. off (pre-approved by my employer for my mid-pregnancy ultrasound). Thursday was Thanksgiving, and Friday was a paid holiday for my employer. I have argued this and have been told that I can appeal once I receive a letter from Hartford with all of that information. However, here I am a week later and nothing.

I am set for eviction in one week, my car insurance has expired, I cannot afford diapers for my 2-year-old, and am now 8 months pregnant and without income.

Hartford has somehow gotten the idea that I can perform work within my limitations to the tune of 10-15 hours per week. Yesterday I received a letter saying that they are terminating my right to my Group Life Insurance benefits because I am not disabled. Is this a precursor to them terminating my Long Term Disability benefits, which I happily paid for throughout my career? How can they say I can work when limited to 10 hours per week with restrictions of not being able to sit for an hour and stand for 1/2 hour? It's ludicrous. Not to mention that The Hartford apparently didn't contact any of my other medical providers, specifically my Pain Specialists, who I see every month for very strong pain meds including Morphine, Neurontin, and Clonipin.

How can I find a good ERISA attorney, one whom can and will fight for my rights, and when is someone going to take The Hartford on in a class action suit about their LTD policies? I'd like to know the outcome of anyone else's problems with The Hartford. It seems the big corporations are able to run roughshod over their former employees and everyone turns their heads the other way.

If they stop my disability payments I will be reduced to supporting my family on the money I get from Social Security disability. I will not have any health insurance benefits for them although I will still have Medicare. I made good money and my LTD payments along with my Social Security are 70% of my prior pay, so there is a substantial amount at stake.

I have had to sell things to keep from losing everything I worked for, not counting the stress and mental anguish Hartford has put me through.

Then it was Hartfords turn...They originally approved the claim. 6 Months later they followed me for a week. They have 3 minutes in whole on film. They have me leaving the drugstor and hobbling to my care ( It was raining) They say i was skipping joyfully along....They have a picture of me tying my shoe and that's it.. They terminated my claim along with insurrance coverage for my entire family.. My youngest son has asthma !.. Luckily my spouse was able to pick us up through the same company..However,, They denied coverage for me for life insurrance .. The company of was Hartford.. stating due to a preexsisting Stroke !!!

I appealed to no avail..They stated that the neurologist failed to perform a specific test. The story i read above is right they look for anything to deny claims.. This is bad faith...

i was approved for SS benefits they state I'm permantly disabled but the amount comes no where near what we need for everyday living..i was the primary breadwinner for the family and I paid in the maximum ammount on this policy for 9 years. This is stressful on my entire family and has caused us a great hardship.. What can we do to bring these folks to justice?

However, on July 25, 2006 Hartford terminated my LTD benefits knowing full well I had a follow up visit scheduled for July 27, 2006 with my surgeon. I worked full time hours through Aug.3, 2006 at which time I was taken out of work by my Internal Medicine doctor secondary to the Epstein Barr Mono Virus. Even though my surgeon did give me permanent reduced work hours after my visit to him and was taken out of work by my Internal Med doc, my benefits remained denied.

I was approved, and received benefits, after retaining counsel. However, in the 12 years of receiving benefits, Hartford claims I can return to full time employment. Every 2 years I am photographed, followed and minutely examined by their doctors and henchmen. I must pay an attorney thousands of dollars each time.

Every year they pour through confidential records to find even the slightest discrepancy. If I say I can walk for 45 minutes, they jump and threaten to stop benefits if I've walked for 47 minutes. I am a puppet on a string.

I am under an increasing load of debt; Hartford pays no interest and no penalties when stopping my benefits for up to 8 months. I incur attorney fees. I can never get out of debt. The last doctor (IME) which Hartford sent me to hurt me so much during the examination that I was bedridden for over a month. Hartford knows I can't fight back.

This is insane. Why isn't anyone fighting these people? Is it because there is no federal law protecting us? Do we, like Judy, rely on our own state's laws, which may or may not cover us? My moving to another state (other than CA) with less stringent state laws, has resulted in an immediate investigation of me by Hartford. I can't move out of state because of the threat of being booted off my disability.

Incidentally, I also have SS disability; the federal government has stated I'm 100% permanently disabled. Hartford won't accept that. Read Ray Bhouris' book.

Initially the Hartford granted my request for disability payments but for only two years under their mental disease exception. During those two years I went to the Mayo Clinic twice in an attempt to find out what was causing my symptoms. The Mayo clinic referred me to Oregon Health Science University where ther diagnosed my condition and notified The Hartford of my diagnosis. The Hartford then granted my long term disability and paid the contract disability payments through June of 2007.

They then dropped my claim with a long bogus explanation that did not include any reference to my primary diagnostic condition or physician. I plan to appeal.

This discontinuation of my long term disability payments has reduced my income by 60% and will eventually eat up all our savings and we will lose our home if the payments are not reinstated.

Hartford paid me for my disability and according to them after my 36 months of payment my condition miraculously improved so I coould return to work. However, they had my doctor's statements as early as March of this year and paid me after that for several months. Then, when my 36 months was up, I became able to return to work. I would love to go back to work, but everyone says I'm a liability. I even tried to get health insurance and was told by several major insurance companies that I'm a liability and unable to be insured by them. I just don't understand when my employer told Hartford that they would not allow me to work on narcotics and they allowed me to get my disability payments, how all of a sudden now I'm able to work. It does not make any sense to me.

I can't afford an attorney to fight them and after reading other peoples complaints I don't think it would do much good. I still get my Social Security but it is putting a financial bind on my family and we will probably lose everything that I worked for when I was working because of this.

On my application for long term disability benefits I did report that I went to doctors appts and to the grocery store, I have two children. After the first surveillance of two days Hartford had me on video moving my vehicle which was for about 10 seconds. On the second surveillance, which lasted three days Hartford did not get me on video the first or the third day. The only day they videoed me was the days they scheduled a functional capacity evaluation. Hartford also reported me to the Ohio Department of Insurance for Fraud.

I represented myself and filed a claim in Federal Court against Hartford. I won the first case. Hartford then appealled the court decision and I also won the appeal. Financially Hartford has ruined me, my home was in Foreclosure, my children were without electric and we have all suffered tremendously. But I am not through yet. ERISA law needs to be changed and I intend to do that.

This is called making money off of an associate between Walmart and Hartford Insurance Company and not providing this quote great Benefit. Plus they say this is a Walmart policy. In February I started getting huge blisters on my feet and ended up in the ER to have them taken care of. I am a diabetic but have never had any problems with my feet or legs. My doctors told me I could go back to work in a week but that I was to take a break every two hours and elevate them, which should not have been a problem as an assistant manager I have plenty of paper work to do and therefore this would not have to be considered a break.

The general store manager had no problem with that, he appeared to be glad to have me back (BTW, I have used only 1 sick day in 10 years ); however, as soon as he would leave the co-manager would not allow me to do this. The minute I sat down she would MAKE me go do something else. Within 2 weeks I could hardly walk and the pain was so bad I ended up at a neurologist. At first, he'd thought I would be able to get back to my job within 6 weeks but as of now he has me out until September which will make 7 months. I have had physical therapy, seen the podiatrist, bought home medical equipment and done everything that they have all told me do. Hartford denied the claim, saying that neuropothy was a pre existing condition because everyone who has diabetes will eventually get neuropathy in their feet. When I questioned them about the information provided to them and by what doctors, they had my sleep study doctor down as saying that he had seen me for the diabetes.

Thank goodness for my wife's health insurance though her employer. I have been on hers ever since she was able to pick it up. My salary continuance ends in 2 paychecks. I don't know if I can file for unemployment with the doctor's restrictions. I have not been idle while out on leave, but finished completing my paralegal degree that I have been working on, along with taking advantage of free computor courses offered through our local work force. I'll never be able to go back to a stand up job, the nerve damage is so severe that if I am on them for more than 10-15 minutes I have to find a place to sit down. I don't want to be out of work, I am only 43 but I do need to get over this hurdle without falling through the cracks.

I was orginally to be out of work from March 14, returning to work on March 20. Unfortunately, due to complications from surgery, I did not return to work until March 28. The doctor did not release me to go back to work until this date. When I called Hartford to indicate that I would be returning to work the next day, March 28, I was told if I had time to call the doctor's office to get my doctor's visits office notes. I was told it was not necessary (just some extra assistance from the patient side) as the claims administrator would ensure all necessary paperwork for the additional time off would be collected to process these extra days.

I am scheduled for the same type of surgery tomorrow, April 18, to correct some problems that resulted from the first surgery. The Hartford Group refuses to re-open my claim. They stated they never received the attending physician statement or the office visits notes from the first surgery. I told the customer service rep. that I was told the claims admin. would take care of that. Now I am being told that this was my responsibility to take care of. What is Hartford getting paid for???? This is their job to do!

I am now going to have to spend the time off that I have after this second surgery on the phone all day playing the telephone game with my doctor's office and Hartford. So much for recovery time! Hartford Group is pathetic! They are paid for a service that they do not deliver on. In fact, the customer service rep. told me an analogy about when you have a car accident, it is your responsibility to take care of all the paperwork and calls to get a claim paid. I corrected her and stated that , 'Yes, that is true if you have a lazy insurance company!' Anytime I have had to file anything for my car, my insurance rep. takes care of everything. He has even told me several times when I thank him for the awesome service, 'Mam, that is my job.' I wish Hartford would get the hint!

I am going to raise a big 'stink' with my employer when I return from leave again about Hartford and their pathetic service! My employer always bosts about what awesome benefits they have. If they want to stand by this, they will drop Hartford as their short-term disability carrier.

The time off from March 22-March 27 is being paid from my accrued paid time off that is really meant for vacation time. The time off for my second surgery will come out of my paid time off as well. (Which I am running out of... guess no vacation for me this year!)Hartford should honor the extra time off from the first surgery and all the time off from the second surgery. This is a legitimate claim. I should not have to do the claims administrators job for them to get the claim processed. They are being paid for this service. It is unacceptable to insist that the patient do all the work for them! Who knows.. they say that it takes longer to heal when you are stressed... I may have to be off longer than expected after this second surgery, because of the stress that Hartford is putting me through.

The Hartford resumed paymentin May 2005 after stopping it for a year.They sent a partial payment in January 2006, then stopped payment again.Iam unable to pay mortgage and utilities without this check. the frustration causes my neck and bacj to hurt more.

His eye doctor cannot believe that he was denied. He cannot drive and is very dependent on others to help him . I had to get power of attorney papers at Hartford's request because Robert could not see to sign his forms. Hartford has lied to us, and nothing has been done.

Where are the people that are suppose to protect people like us? Where are the people that need to convict these frauds? I have written the insurance commissioner of N.C. and they are investigating this and I am going to the senator that represents Caswell county. I don't think that all these people complaining about this insurance should have to hire an attorney because we don't have the money. WE paid this insurance thinking that if a situation like this came up we would have a little money coming in.

My husband and myself are under alot of stress because of this. Our income has gone from $800.00 to $200.00 a week. We are going to lose our home and vehicle. I am facing unemployment in the future with the textile industry doing so poorly. I would like to see Hartford do what they are supposed to do.