The sad truth is, 51 million Americans with disabilities do not have disability insurance. Yet, a little less than half of Americans currently have adequate savings to pay for three months of living expenses without a source of income coming in.
Perhaps one of the reasons many qualified Americans are not taking advantage of disability insurance is because their claim wasn’t accepted, even if it should have been. In fact, one reason why many disability claims get denied is that there needs to be adequate evidence of the individual’s disability and the nature of such in order to be approved.
Consequently, if you would like to learn more about the process of applying for disability insurance, you can find plenty of helpful resources on the Breeze website here: https://www.meetbreeze.com/disability-insurance/what-is-disability-insurance/.
That said, these five sources of evidence can help you to prove your disability as you submit an individual disability insurance claim:
1. Provide an official letter of diagnosis from your doctor.
Providing a letter from your doctor regarding your official diagnosis can prove that you have a disability, even if it is invisible to the naked eye. Apart from an official diagnosis letter, prescription papers, surgery records, imaging scans, lab reports, and the like can all be used as evidence to validate the diagnosis letter. For individuals who experience anxiety or discomfort during scans, options like sedation MRI in Hackettstown, NJ can make the imaging process more manageable and accessible, especially when detailed scans are necessary to support medical documentation.
2. Gather your medical history.
Sometimes it’s not enough to prove that you have been diagnosed with a disability. After all, many recover significantly after being diagnosed and treated. That said, it’s important to prove exactly how long you have been suffering, especially if you’re seeking long-term benefits.
The number of disability benefits you’re able to receive can be greatly impacted by the length and detail of your medical history. For instance, if you’ve been suffering from a chronic disability for the past three years, three years worth of medical records would partly be able to prove how serious and long-term your disability truly is and has been.
3. Have past employers, friends, or family members write a letter discussing your disability.
When it comes to proving anything, witnesses are key. If you have a past employer who saw first-hand how your disability affected your ability to perform normally at work, you may consider asking them to write a letter discussing their observations. Friends and family members who have witnessed the nature of your disability may also write letters as evidence.
Additionally, you can also choose to consult a coach that can provide you with psychological support. This can be beneficial in helping you manage your disability. Nevertheless, you can also specifically make sure the support is obtained from an NDIS counsellor. For those unaware, an NDIS expert takes an “insurance-based” approach, focusing on early intervention and long-term investments to increase independence and reduce future costs, rather than goals aimed towards short-term welfare. That said, if you’re someone who is considering such a facility, you can hire a professional through an agency like Goal Coach (click here for more info). Seeking help and assistance from such experts can not only benefit you emotionally and psychologically, but can also act as grounds of evidence towards your disability.
4. Keep a journal of how your disability affects your day-to-day.
Even with witnesses, medical testing, and doctor’s notes, it’s only you who knows how bad you’re suffering. Chances are, there may be things you struggle to do in your daily life that no one has ever witnessed.
That said, journal your day-to-day activities. Is it difficult for you to walk more than one or two feet without crutches? Are you forced to stand up a majority of the day because you’re in too much pain when sitting down? Does your mental disability cause difficulty concentrating? If you work in the medical field as a physician or dentist, are you finding it hard to perform surgery or even routine medical tests on your patients? These professionals should be the people who you trust the most, and if they don’t look into doctor disability insurance, they won’t be able to help treat you back to proper health and this could put you in danger. So, always tell the truth about whether you’re finding it hard to complete your activities. Record your physical, mental, and emotional struggles to prove the extent of your disability, as this could prove to be beneficial.
5. Prove your disability with the help from an attorney.
Even if you have evidence to prove your disability, there’s still a chance your insurance claim can be denied. This often happens if there is not enough proof to validate your disability or if it isn’t clear how your disability would prevent you from being able to adequately perform at work. It is also possible your disability does not meet the policy’s definition of a disability.
Fortunately, overcoming a denied claim is absolutely possible. Consider seeking legal help if you’re having difficulty getting your disability insurance claim approved.
Conclusion
A major part of submitting a disability claim is being able to prove your disability. Providing a diagnosis letter, your medical history, letters from witnesses, and a journal of your daily activities can all prove your disability. If worst comes to worst, reaching out to an attorney to help you prove your disability may be necessary to get your claim approved the next time around.