[Can't Stop Crying]

Applying for my second round of short term disability is not going well! My claims manager is unsupportive, gives unclear requests, and is just plain mean! She tells me she needs documentation from T and doc but doesn't get more specific. I asked if there is a form - answer=no. I asked if she could tell me exactly what she needed - answer= a mental evaluation.
T and doc sent info., she says that it doesn't meet their criteria and is under review and by the way, my time has almost expired for re-opening my claim. I feel like she is making this as difficult as possible. I want to scream at her - all this stress you are putting me through is not helping my mental state.
I'm contacting HR today to see if they can help, doubtful, short-term disability is under a completely different contract.

Uuugh! just needed to get that out!

[Leed]

Good! I'm glad you're contacting someone ~ I hope you tell HR that your claims mgr. isn't cooperating ~ maybe she can do something about that. The claims mgr. is being TOTALLY out of line - she should be specific about what she wants - and the company should have a form to fill out for that kind of info. How are people supposed to know what is wanted??

Best of luck, and I hope this goes thru for you ~ you need it. Hugs, Lee

[shezbut]

(((can't stop cyring)))

I agree with Leed. The claim's manager ought to be perfectly clear with what paperwork needs to filled out by your doctors. Her expecting you and them to somehow know what exactly she wants (or needs) is preposterous!

Hopefully, HR will make sure that your case is being taken care of properly. HR is meant to be a mediator of sorts ~ working with the bosses and the employees, to be sure both sides are following the rules of the company and the law/s of the country. So, working through HR should make things a lot more clear for you. They can tell you specifically what needs to be brought from your doctors. Hope it all works out for you.

Best wishes!

[Can't Stop Crying]

Today claims status went from closed to pending...progress!

[yellowted]

if your claims manager wants specific information from your t and doc then she should write to or phone them personally requesting it so they are aware of what they need to give you, after all you are ill, you should not have to be the ping pong ball between her and your care team! if she is unprepared to do her job then you definitely have a case to complain to HR that she is unco-operative and obstructing your claim.
good to hear there is a little progress in your case, good luck xx

[Can't Stop Crying]

I absolutely agree. If my T and doc are not sending what she needs, you'd think she'd request the specific information she's missing. Every time I talk to her, I get "it's the clients responsibility to provide the documentation" speech. How can I provide what she needs when I have no idea what she's looking for. I'm convinced they do this on purpose - make it difficult to submit claims in the hopes that people just give up. That's the cynical part of me talking.
BTW - emailed HR, out of office until next Tuesday

[pgrundy]

I only have one experience with short term disability, but it went just as it is going for you right now--a lot of nonspecific unhelpfulness, rudeness, and then claims that documentation was 'lost' and so forth.

I finally did get approved but it wasn't easy.

It is hard not to think they do it on purpose just to make people go away.

Glad you are seeing some progress finally.

[IceCreamKid]

Originally Posted by Can't Stop Crying

I absolutely agree. If my T and doc are not sending what she needs, you'd think she'd request the specific information she's missing. Every time I talk to her, I get "it's the clients responsibility to provide the documentation" speech. How can I provide what she needs when I have no idea what she's looking for. I'm convinced they do this on purpose - make it difficult to submit claims in the hopes that people just give up. That's the cynical part of me talking.
BTW - emailed HR, out of office until next Tuesday

Hi. Between what you have written and what Pgrundy added, I have thought of something. If you have to deal with this woman again, would it make you feel better to say: "I do not know how to provide what you need when I have no idea what you are looking for. Is there a problem with you taking the time to explain this to me?" The 'magic words' are "is there a problem.' By saying this you are acknowledging that this woman may have a problem, that you are aware of the possibility by her nasty behavior, and you don't intend to just slink away without your needs met.

[Can't Stop Crying]

Thanks for the tip IceCreamKid, I'll try that when I have to speak to her again on Monday. uugh!

Good luck, Can't Stop Crying.