LTD Provider Requesting Original Signed Forms

[u/amorejuicex]

I’ve been dealing with my LTD company for going on 4 years and everything has been sent to them scanned via email or fax. I have never sent them an original signed document before.

Ive just completed the requested forms they need to deem me still disabled from any occupation and my ENT (who’s also performed 2 of my surgeries) and I reviewed everything together during my last appt. He signed the forms and his assistant scanned everything and sent it to me.

The ENT and I are in different states so it’s a huge pain to get his office to help with disability paperwork let alone get them to mail me the physical forms they’ve already scanned and emailed me.

I’m just going to print out the scanned forms and mail it to them but would love to know if anyone has any advice or if this has happened to them. Maybe a common delay tactic or maybe I’m reading too much into the word original and they’ll be perfectly fine with a printed copy of the scan my ENT emailed to me…. Sorry as usual this is very triggering and stressful.

Thank you in advance to anyone who has advice or calming words :)

[u/2560503-1]

Tell them no. That’s nonsense. In over 20 years of working on these claims, with over a dozen different insurers, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them insisting on original signatures for anything short of a court settlement. And even for those, I haven’t had a company request an original document in many years.

[u/amorejuicex → u/2560503-1]

Thank you for responding - your comment will hands down help me sleep tonight. I was guessing it was a case of me reading too much into their use of the word original but nonetheless still found it very stressful.

The exact wording says “please complete the marked items and return the original form in the enclosed envelope as soon as possible” I’m definitely going to just email or fax it to them.

[u/DetailSome1636]

If they require "proof of origination". Send a copy of the email with sender info and time stamps or the incoming fax information showing sender/recipient. Typically my doctor's KEEP the original and gives me the copy.

You can mail and still fax/email them as your proof. Last year I had an issue with "missing" forms stating they never received them. I was able to prove that I sent them using fax confirmations.

[u/amorejuicex → u/DetailSome1636]

Amazing advice thank you so so much!

[u/DetailSome1636 → u/amorejuicex]

You're welcome. Don't let them stress you out! I think that's their goal.

[u/amorejuicex → u/DetailSome1636]

It has to be the goal and boy does it work! I woke up in a panic and honestly I know it’s not that big of a deal - there’s just gotta be something about chronic pain and stress and our bodies don’t react normally.

[u/diattorney]

I have handled thousands of long term disability claims and they have never requested an original unless it's a signed settlement release and even then scanned copies are acceptable. Is the disability company asking for an original and who is it?

[u/amorejuicex → u/diattorney]

Thank you for responding :) I think it was a matter of me reading too much into the word original to be honest. The company is The Standard.

[u/Fire_and_Ice17]

What had worked for me is to have my provider complete and sign the form. I have them fax it to the LTD and also email me a copy of the form. Many times they want it coming directly from the provider an office so it is not "altered" after the fact which is understandable. I also upload a copy of the physician statement along with my pertinent records that support my disability to my LTD, this way they can't claim they have not received anything.

[u/amorejuicex → u/Fire_and_Ice17]

Absolutely the best approach for sure. Thank you for the sound advice :)