How to Write Appeal Letters for Short Term Disability Denials

Employers provide short-term disability insurance to employees in case of illness or injury that prevents an employee from working. Short-term disability is typically designed to last six months or less. If you are denied short-term disability, you have the right to appeal.

Instructions

• 1

  Review the denial letter and note the exact reasons for denial and the process for appealing. Also note the time frame allotted for filing an appeal. You must submit the appeal within this time frame, or your appeal will likely be rejected.

• 2

  Gather medical records and other documentation that supports your disability case. This documentation should address the reasons for denial. For example, if you were denied for lack of an appropriate diagnosis, you should consult with your medical providers and obtain documentation that you do have an appropriate diagnosis or that your condition, despite having an inappropriate diagnosis, does prevent you from working and meets other requirements of receiving short-term disability.

• 3

  Consider talking to a disability attorney. You may want to consider obtaining legal representation, especially if the short-term disability provider is very reluctant to award benefits for your case. In many cases, the disability attorney will only charge a fee if your case is won. An attorney can assist you with drafting an appeal letter.

• 4

  Compose and submit your appeal letter with supporting documentation. Your appeal letter should list any case numbers, your full name, date of birth and provide specific reasons for appealing the decision. It is advisable to send the appeal letter via certified mail so that you have proof it was submitted within the allotted time frame.