Navigating a long term disability (“LTD”) claim with Voya Financial, operating through its subsidiary ReliaStar, can be a daunting process. At Riemer Hess, we have over 25 years of experience fighting—and winning—against long term disability insurance companies like Voya Financial and ReliaStar Life. Our experienced ERISA attorneys are deeply familiar with their strategies and profit-driven tactics, enabling us to effectively advocate for the rights and benefits of our clients.
As a major player in the insurance and financial services sector, Voya Financial’s profit motives can significantly influence its approach to managing LTD claims. This often manifests in stringent claim evaluations and rigorous scrutiny of applications and ongoing claims, sometimes leading to denials or terminations that claimants find both confusing and distressing.
Below, we’ll discuss some of the common reasons Voya Financial and ReliaStar Life deny or terminate long term disability claims—as well as the best ways to combat their tactics.
Yes, Voya Financial, through its subsidiary ReliaStar Life, handles a significant number of long term disability (“LTD”) claims across the United States. Originally founded as ING U.S., Voya Financial spun off and rebranded in 2013, handling many LTD claims under its subsidiary ReliaStar Life. Given their extensive involvement in the insurance market, Voya Financial and ReliaStar Life are deeply entrenched in the LTD insurance landscape. This extensive reach underscores their strong financial interest in managing claims in a way that often prioritizes corporate profitability.
As a result, claimants may experience strict scrutiny of their LTD claims and face substantial challenges when attempting to secure or maintain their benefits. This approach is indicative of a broader strategy utilized by private insurers aimed at minimizing payouts. The LTD claims process can be particularly challenging when you’re depending on your benefits for financial support during times of medical distress.
When you file a long term disability claim with Voya Financial and ReliaStar Life, be prepared for a process that might feel more adversarial than supportive. Their approach often appears driven by profit, using tactics that can complicate and even obstruct legitimate claims. Understanding their common strategies can help you anticipate and counteract these challenges effectively.
Here are some common tactics they may use against you:
These tactics illustrate the lengths to which Voya Financial/ReliaStar Life might go to protect their profits at the expense of your right to long term disability benefits. It’s essential to prepare diligently and advocate strongly for your rights when dealing with such practices.
If Voya Financial/ReliaStar Life denies your long term disability (“LTD”) claim, you have specific legal steps you can take to contest this decision. Typically, you must start by undergoing the internal appeal process as mandated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). This process involves submitting a formal appeal directly to the insurer, which allows you the opportunity to provide additional evidence that supports your claim, such as more comprehensive medical records, expert opinions, or new test results. Under ERISA, you typically have 180 days from the receipt of your denial letter to file this appeal. Failing to adhere to this deadline may forfeit your right to further challenge your initial denial.
The internal appeal is often the final step before litigation and is a critical stage to strengthen your claim. During this phase, it’s essential to ensure that all pertinent information and documentation that support your claim are included in your appeal submission. This is because if your appeal is denied and you decide to file a lawsuit, the court will generally only review evidence that was available during the internal appeal process, not new information introduced in court. If your appeal with Voya Financial/ReliaStar Life is unsuccessful, the next step is to file a lawsuit under ERISA, which would be heard in federal court. Litigation under ERISA can be complex and procedurally strict, making it distinct from typical civil lawsuits.
Given the complexities of ERISA regulations and the strategic importance of the appeal process, consulting with an ERISA long term disability attorney before filing an appeal is highly recommended. An attorney with experience in long term disability claims can significantly enhance your chances of overturning a denial of benefits. They can help you navigate the procedural nuances of ERISA, assist in gathering and organizing the necessary medical evidence, and ensure that your appeal is as strong as possible. If litigation does become necessary, having legal representation can be crucial in effectively arguing your case and understanding the judicial standards that apply to ERISA claims.
Yes, courts have indeed criticized Voya Financial/ReliaStar Life for their handling of disability claims. Examples include:
Successfully navigating long term disability (“LTD”) claims against Voya Financial/ReliaStar Life requires a strategic and thorough approach. Voya Financial/ReliaStar Life has a stringent claim evaluation process and history of rigorous scrutiny of claims.
Here are a few effective strategies that may increase your chances of a successful outcome:
By employing these strategies, you can build a robust defense against the common practices of Voya Financial/ReliaStar Life in handling disability claims, increasing the likelihood of securing your long term disability benefits.
Our client “David,” a highly regarded software architect, found his career abruptly interrupted by debilitating fatigue and persistent pain that made it impossible for him to continue his demanding job. As his symptoms worsened, David worked with various medical professionals to pinpoint a diagnosis, but the path to understanding his condition was fraught with challenges. In the midst of this uncertainty, he filed a long term disability (“LTD”) claim with ReliaStar Life. Unfortunately, the Independent Medical Examination (“IME”) arranged by ReliaStar Life was cursory and dismissive. The evaluating doctor spent merely fifteen minutes with David, focusing narrowly on his pain symptoms before baselessly accusing him of exaggerating his condition. ReliaStar Life then used this flawed assessment from the IME doctor to deny David’s claim.
David turned to Riemer Hess for help. Our attorneys acted swiftly to bolster David’s case, organizing a Functional Capacity Evaluation to provide objective evidence of his limitations. Riemer Hess also facilitated written statements from David’s treating physicians, who refuted the IME’s allegations of malingering. These doctors had ultimately diagnosed David with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and myalgia. We crafted a compelling appeal that highlighted the strength of objective medical evidence supporting David’s symptoms, regardless of the exact diagnosis, underscoring that his condition severely impacted his ability to work.
Thanks to the diligent efforts of Riemer Hess and the comprehensive appeal we submitted, ReliaStar Life overturned their original decision, granting David the benefits he deserved. Riemer Hess continues to represent David, ensuring that his ongoing LTD claim is monitored to protect his benefits for as long as necessary.