Insurance is important to help protect you from many different types of disasters. Disability insurance from Ohio National Financial Services is one type of protection that can help you if you are disabled by an injury or illness and unable to go back to your job. The company sometimes denies claims for benefits that it receives. While it may be devastating to receive a denial, you do have the right to appeal. The experienced lawyers at Osterhout Berger Daley are available to help you with your claim and your appeal.
In This Article
- Background on Ohio National Financial Services
- Understanding disability insurance from Ohio National
- What you need to know about disability claims from Ohio National
- How to submit a claim to Ohio National
- What to do if Ohio National delays your disability claim
- What to do if Ohio National denies your disability claim
- Appealing a denial from Ohio National
Background on Ohio National Financial Services
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio and founded in 1909, Ohio National Financial Services is a mutual insurance company that offers several lines of insurance, including disability income insurance. In 2016, the company reported a net annual income of $177 million.
Understanding disability insurance from Ohio National
Ohio National sells a suite of different disability insurance products. They have non-cancellable individual policies with benefit periods ranging from two years up to age 70. They also offer disability insurance that is geared towards laborers with benefits periods ranging from one year to five years. Small business owners are able to purchase insurance to pay for their overhead expenses if they become disabled with terms ranging from 12 months to 24 months. Finally, they offer buy-sell disability insurance to purchase the business interests of small business owners.
Regardless of the disability insurance policy that you have from Ohio National, you’ll want to read the policy carefully. Not all insurance companies define a disability in the same way. Some conditions that leave you unable to work may be considered pre-existing conditions by your insurance company. It’s extremely important to understand how your policy works before you submit a claim for disability benefits.
What you need to know about disability claims from Ohio National
It’s not uncommon for disability claims to be delayed or denied, but it’s important that you get answers as to why your claim is being delayed or denied. Some insurance companies delay or deny claims for hardly any reason hoping that claimants won’t look into the reason for the delay or denial. However, you have a right to fight back and gain insight into the insurance company’s decision. You also have the right to appeal denials. Before you get to this point, however, it’s important that you understand how to properly submit a claim.
How to submit a claim to Ohio National
In order to submit a disability claim to Ohio National, you’ll have to login to your account go to Service Center and click Claims. If you don’t have an account yet, you’ll have to register for one. Typically, disability claim forms require you, your employer, and your attending physician to complete a statement about your disability. You may also be required to sign a form authorizing the release of your medical records. Be sure that you don’t forget any part of the disability claim.
What to do if Ohio National delays your disability claim
If you believe your disability claim is being delayed, you should contact the insurance company to get a status of your claim. If you still don’t get answers or the insurance company asks for more information, it may be time to contact an experienced disability lawyer. Our disability lawyers at Osterhout Berger Daley know how to handle claim delays. We can intervene on your behalf to make sure that your claim moves through the process in a timely manner.
What to do if Ohio National denies your disability claim
If Ohio National decides to deny your benefits claim, it will send you a notice in the mail. This letter will contain some important information that deserves your attention. The company will explain why it decided to deny your claim and tell you about how to appeal the decision. It will include a deadline by which you must file your appeal. You must go through the company’s internal appeals process before you will be allowed to file a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline for filing your appeal with Ohio National, you will not be able to recover your benefits in the future.
After reviewing your letter, ask Ohio National to give you a copy of your claim file. It will contain all of the evidence that the company compiled during its investigation of your claim. Bring this file and your letter with you to your appointment at Osterhout Berger Daley. Your attorney will want to review the information so that he or she can determine the strategy to use to help you with your appeal.
Appealing a denial from Ohio National
Complete honesty about your symptoms is paramount. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that exaggerating the pain or other symptoms that you experience. If you do, it may backfire, leading the company to believe that you are a malingerer. This can prove fatal to your appeal.
While your appeal is pending, it is important for you to keep all of your medical appointments and to help with your appeal in whatever way that you can. Your lawyer will work to build the favorable evidence in your file by submitting additional medical information. As a result, he or she might want you to undergo functional evaluations, medical examinations and medical tests.
By adding more evidence to your file that is favorable, you may increase your chances of success while your appeal is still held by Ohio National. If you are forced to sue the company, you will only be able to use the evidence that is in your file. This demonstrates the importance of adding as much positive evidence to your claim as possible. To get help with your appeal, schedule an appointment with the experienced legal team at Osterhout Berger Daley today.