Just because you are on long-term disability doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to still live your life to the fullest. Traveling can be an enriching experience, allowing individuals to explore new places, cultures and create lasting memories. However, for individuals on long-term disability, before you make travel plans you should carefully consider the question of how it could impact your long-term disability benefits and obligations you have with respect to the same.
Review Your Insurance Policy
Your ability to travel while on long-term disability can depend on various factors, however the most important two are usually the terms of your disability insurance policy and the nature of your disability.
All insurance policies can differ, however many insurance policies for long-term disability include specific restrictions on travel, such as limitations on the duration or type of travel permitted. The nature of these limitations can differ, with some policies only having language dealing with out-of-country travel, while others can concern themselves with out-of-pronunciation travel, or travel of any kind. Most people would never think to look at their long-term disability policy before travelling, however running afoul of these restrictions could potentially jeopardize your benefits. Because of this, it is essential to understand and adhere to any travel-related provisions outlined in your policy.
Your ability to travel may also be influenced by your medical condition and the level of care and assistance you require. It is always important to consider how traveling may impact your health and well-being, and to consult with your healthcare providers before making travel plans. Also, many long-term disability policies require you to be under the care of a physician during your period of disability. It is important to look at the specifics of your policy and ensure that any travel plans take into account your obligations.
Administration of any changes that may affect your eligibility, including travel plans.
Best Practices for Travelling on Long-Term Disability
If your policy has specific restrictions or requirements regarding travel, or even if it does not or if you are traveling while disabled but after your long-term disability benefits have been denied, there are still best practices that you can follow.
If you plan to travel while on long-term disability, it is advisable to maintain thorough documentation of your travel plans, including the dates, destinations, and contact information. Keeping open lines of communication with your healthcare providers and insurance company can help ensure that you remain compliant with any requirements or obligations. To this end you should always communicate well ahead of time with your insurer to confirm the following:
- Your intention to travel
- Where you are going to travel to
- Your departure date and your return date
- That your doctor or treating medical practitioner has approved the travel (with proof)
- Any treatment or medical care you will be receiving during your travel
- The activities you plan on doing during your travel
If you contact your insurer ahead of time they should let you know if there is any issue with you travelling while on long-term disability. If they don’t let you know and then make an issue of it after the fact, you may have the basis for a bad faith claim.
If your long-term disability policy is silent on travel, or if your benefits have already been cut off but you are fighting the denial, it is always good practice to have your doctor’s approval before you travel regardless. It is important you get this in writing. It is also good practice to still discuss your intended travel with your insurance company so that they are aware of it.
If you do go travelling, whether it is something mentioned in your long-term disability policy or not, or if you are fighting denied disability benefits, it is always very important to never post any photos or videos of your travels on social media of any kind. It will never work to your benefit in the long run.
Experienced Long-Term Disability Lawyers
While the ability to travel while on long-term disability is not necessarily prohibited, it is important to consider the wording of your specific insurance policy, implications of the optics of any planned trip (rightly or wrongly, optics matter when dealing with an insurance company) and take necessary precautions to protect both your health and your insurance benefits by ensuring compliance with your legal obligations.
If you have a legal issue with respect to travelling while on long-term disability, we can help. Contact our experienced long-term disability and insurance denial lawyers today for a free consultation.
It is important to note that if you want to make a claim against your insurer for denying your long-term disability claim, whether for traveling or any other reason, there are strict timelines that apply. If you do not act within these timelines your claim can be barred by statute.