I think I need to file a disability claim. What's the process?
Notify the carrier as soon as your physician advises that you cannot work, typically through a structured claim form plus an Attending Physician's Statement (APS) from your treating doctor. The carrier will request medical records, may schedule an Independent Medical Examination (IME), and will evaluate the claim against the policy's definition of disability. Approval timelines vary widely — straightforward orthopedic claims may resolve in 30–60 days; complex mental health, chronic illness, or contested claims can take 6+ months and may require legal involvement. Don't return to work prematurely against medical advice — once you go back, future related claims can be denied as pre-existing.
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