group benefits – OLHI – Free, impartial help with your life & health insurance complaints

Ms. V. was being treated for major depression and anxiety disorder. Her insurer accepted her disability claim on the basis that she was not able to perform the essential duties of her job as an office manager of a busy, professional firm.

Midway through that benefit period, the insurer discontinued her group benefits because Ms. V. opted to try to start her own business out of her home. The insurer’s final position was that the objective medical evidence on file suggested that her impairment was not sufficiently severe to prevent her from returning to her pre-disability job.

Ms. V. contacted OLHI for an independent, free review of her case. Our Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO) gauged that the diagnosis, symptoms and treatment hadn’t changed from the period during which Ms. V. received disability coverage. For this reason, he recommended the case be investigated by an OmbudService Officer (OSO).

OLHI’s OSO reviewed the file and questioned how, with the evidence on file, the insurer could conclude that Ms. V. was able to resume performing the skills of her prior demanding, managerial role.

The OSO contacted the insurer, asking them to consider that a job as an office manager of a busy firm could not be equated with a home business. He also suggested that the medical evidence was clear that Ms. V.’s condition had not changed between the last day of paid benefits and the first day of denied benefits.

Upon further discussion and review, the insurer agreed and provided Ms. V. with payment for the period that correlated with her inability to perform the essential duties of her job.

 

Disclaimer: Names, places and facts have been modified in order to protect the privacy of the parties involved. This case study is for illustration purposes only. Each complaint OLHI reviews contains different facts and contract wording may vary. As a result, the application of the principles expressed here may lead to different results in different cases.

By continuing your navigation on this site, you accept the use of cookies.

These are designed to improve your user experience on our site by collecting traffic statistics and information on your behaviour.

More information on our Privacy Policy