In a settlement reached with 5 states including California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, Long Term Disability benefit insurer, Cigna agreed to set aside nearly $77 million in projected payments for policy holders whose claims for Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits may have been handled improperly between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010. Cigna has also agreed to voluntarily review claims that may have been mishandled and submit to a two year monitoring program by state regulators.
A review of their claim handling policies by state regulators show an over-reliance on nurse case manager reviews at the expenses of examinations by independent physicians, and other evidence including awards of Social Security Disability benefits.
For more information if you are an affected policyholder, contact your state insurance commission or an attorney.
We have significant experience representing clients seeking disability benefits. For more information and how you may be impacted, contact one of our Disability Benefits attorneys, Elliott Andalman and Peter Casciano.