u/HeroineLizzyJane

If you were required to get objective testing for a mental health STD/LTD claim, what type of testing did you have done?

Was there testing other than a full neuropsychological evaluation that could show what the impairments were, how significant they were, what might be contributing to them, and how they affected your ability to work?

With no income coming in after a denial, the thought of spending $4K–$6K on an evaluation is overwhelming, so I'm trying to understand what other options people may have had.

Is there a professional cognitive assessment that can evaluate functioning in areas like attention/concentration, working memory, processing speed, learning/recall, and executive functioning, including how significant any difficulties are and what may be contributing to them?

The purpose wouldn't be to establish diagnoses or measure IQ, but to better understand the cognitive difficulties and possible contributors.

Would this typically be done through a neuropsychological evaluation, or is there another type of professional testing that would be more appropriate?

If anyone knows the typical cost range for these types of assessments, that would be helpful as well.

If someone already has established diagnoses and is referred for cognitive issues in areas such as attention, memory, processing speed, executive functioning, and worsening of these issues with stress, is there abbreviated or individualized testing that can be done to determine how impaired these areas are and what may be contributing to them?

If so, does limiting the scope of the evaluation typically reduce the cost significantly compared with a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation?

My claim was denied while I was still obtaining additional documentation Prudential had requested, which my claim manager was aware of. In the voicemail notifying me of the denial, she said that if my doctor provided additional information, they could “simply send this back over for a secondary review once received.”

The additional records have now been received, but my STD claim status is "disallowed" and I haven't filed my formal appeal yet because I'm trying to confirm whether this secondary review is a reconsideration outside of the formal appeal process.

Has anyone had Prudential do this?

Did they reopen/review the claim without you filing an appeal?

I'm appealing a psychiatric LTD claim (anxiety, depression, and PTSD). My insurer concluded that my impairment was due to workplace and situational stressors rather than a broader occupational impairment and stated there was "no evidence of an inherent inability to function in the general workforce."

Has anyone successfully appealed a denial with similar reasoning? What evidence ultimately persuaded the insurer or court that your impairment was not limited to those situational stressors?

For those who have had a Prudential short-term disability claim, my case manager requested updated medical records because the psychiatrist's office note didn't contain enough detail about my restrictions and limitations.

I have a patient portal communication thread from my psychiatrist that documents my worsening symptoms, work-related functional limitations, medication changes, and my psychiatrist recommending medical leave. The office note itself is brief because my psychiatrist is currently out of the office.

Has anyone had Prudential accept patient portal communications as supporting medical documentation, or do they generally require everything to be documented in a formal progress note?

For those who have had a Prudential short-term disability claim, my case manager requested updated medical records because the psychiatrist's office note didn't contain enough detail about my restrictions and limitations.

I have a patient portal communication thread from my psychiatrist that documents my worsening symptoms, work-related functional limitations, medication changes, and my psychiatrist recommending medical leave. The office note itself is brief because my psychiatrist is currently out of the office.

Has anyone had Prudential accept patient portal communications as supporting medical documentation, or do they generally require everything to be documented in a formal progress note?