What Should I Do If New York Life Group Denies My Long-Term Disability Claim?
A denial of long-term disability (LTD) benefits from New York Life Group can feel overwhelming—especially when your income, health, and future security are on the line. Unfortunately, claim denials are common, even for individuals with legitimate disabilities and strong medical support.
If New York Life has denied your long-term disability claim, what you do next can determine whether you ultimately receive the benefits you deserve. Below, the long-term disability attorneys at DarrasLaw, a nationally recognized disability insurance law firm, explain the critical steps to take after a denial and how to protect your rights.
Why Does New York Life Group Deny Long-Term Disability Claims?
New York Life Group disability policies are typically governed by ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act), which gives insurance companies significant procedural advantages. Common reasons for denial include:
- Alleged lack of “objective medical evidence”
- Claims that you can still perform your “own occupation” or “any occupation”
- Surveillance or social media monitoring
- Independent medical examinations (IMEs) arranged by the insurer
- Paper reviews by physicians who never examine you
- Missed deadlines or incomplete paperwork
Importantly, a denial does not mean your claim lacks merit—it often means the insurer believes it can justify a denial under the policy language.
Step 1: Carefully Review the Denial Letter
New York Life is required to provide a written explanation for your denial. This letter is more than a formality—it is the roadmap for your appeal.
Your denial letter should include:
- The specific reasons for denial
- The policy provisions relied upon
- Any evidence New York Life claims is missing
- Your deadline to file an appeal
Do not ignore this letter or assume you can submit additional information later. Under ERISA, you typically have only one opportunity to appeal, and missing the deadline can permanently bar your claim.
Step 2: Do Not File an Appeal Without Legal Guidance
Many claimants believe they can “fix” their claim by submitting a short appeal letter or additional medical records. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common and costly mistakes. ERISA law requires that all evidence be submitted during the administrative appeal stage. If your appeal is denied, you generally cannot add new evidence later—even in federal court.
At DarrasLaw, we routinely see cases where claimants:
- Submit incomplete appeals
- Fail to address insurer-selected medical reviews
- Overlook vocational or occupational evidence
- Miss critical legal arguments
Once that appeal window closes, those errors are often irreversible.
Step 3: Strengthen the Medical and Occupational Evidence
A successful LTD appeal against New York Life must be strategic, comprehensive, and evidence-driven. This often includes:
- Detailed physician narrative reports (not just chart notes)
- Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs)
- Neuropsychological or cognitive testing, when applicable
- Vocational expert analysis
- Rebuttals to insurer medical reviewers
- Proof that your condition prevents you from performing your actual occupation—not a theoretical job
Insurance companies frequently downplay subjective symptoms such as pain, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and mental health conditions. Experienced LTD attorneys know how to present these limitations in a way insurers—and courts—must take seriously.
Step 4: Understand ERISA Deadlines and Rules
Most New York Life Group LTD policies are governed by ERISA, which imposes strict rules, including:
- Short appeal deadlines (often 180 days)
- Limited discovery rights
- Federal court review based only on the claim file
- Deferential standards of review in some cases
Because ERISA law favors insurers, early legal intervention is critical to level the playing field.
Step 5: Work With an Experienced Long-Term Disability Law Firm
Not all law firms handle ERISA disability claims—and fewer still focus exclusively on disability insurance law.
DarrasLaw is one of the nation’s leading disability insurance law firms, with decades of experience representing policyholders in LTD claims against major insurers, including New York Life Group. Our attorneys understand the tactics insurers use to deny claims and how to counter them effectively.
We do not handle general personal injury or workers’ compensation cases—our practice is devoted to disability insurance claims, allowing us to bring focused knowledge and proven strategies to every case.
What If My Appeal Has Already Been Denied?
Even if New York Life has already denied your appeal, you may still have options, including:
- Filing a federal ERISA lawsuit
- Challenging procedural violations
- Identifying conflicts of interest or biased medical reviews
However, success at this stage often depends on how well the administrative record was built during the appeal—which is why early legal involvement is so important.
Get Help After a New York Life Group LTD Denial
If New York Life Group has denied your long-term disability claim, do not assume the insurer’s decision is final or fair. Insurance companies are financially motivated to deny claims, but policyholders have rights—and experienced legal advocates can make a critical difference.
DarrasLaw offers free consultations to help you understand your denial, your options, and the best path forward.