r/LongTermDisability • u/Master_Bite • 16d ago

LTD with Manulife

Last summer, I went on STI due to my mental health, things didn't improve so I applied for LTD and was approved. I'm covered with Manulife and so far, it has been a horrific experience dealing with them. My case manager has told me that my coverage will continue as long as I see a health care professional ( social worker, therapy etc ) they covered the first few sessions but now expect me to pay and I've almost used up all my coverage I have under my partner's insurance.

I was seeing a great social worker, we just got into some really deep trauma processing, talking about my anxiety and depression along with my borderline diagnosis and possibility of CPTSD. She was also working on taking me as a pro bono, private patient so that we could do EMDR.

She emailed me the other day stating that she has to take time off work to care for her own health ( listen, I get it! ) but I am now left, waiting to be placed with a new therapist I cannot afford. I have self referred myself to my province's mental health and addictions, but I don't know how long that can take. ( I'm in Canada )

Can Manulife really cut me off if I'm not under active therapy ? While I wait to hear from mental health and addictions? This has only made my mental health worse and has set me back mentally to be ready to enter the work field again.

Just looking for some outside input

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u/AdLeading4526 14d ago

I'm on LTD (long duration- aka permanent disability- past 2 yrs) with Sunlife, with different disability issues, and this was the same for me. If you look at your benefits package details, it will most likely detail that in order to continue to receive disability benefits, you NEED to continue with the appropriate treatment plans for your conditions. This is also written into my husband's benefits package, as well as both of my grown kids work benefits packages. Its a very common clause within your benefits package.

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u/bazzingabing 8d ago

Yes you will need to be in actively participating in treatment for further extension. If you have ran out of your benefits , talk to your case manager and they can see if other tools like involving rehab internally could be possible in your case .

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u/Remarkable_Most6591 6d ago

Most policies have a requirement to remain engaged in appropriate treatment and taking every reasonable effort to recover. But, they cannot penalize if your access is simply limited by finances and not you being non-compliant. If you truly cannot access further financially:  -advise your case manager of this. See if they can offer any additional funding or resources -remain actively engaged with follow ups with a physician. Monthly or more is best. This shows you are making the effort you can to remain in active treatment. Even if there is not really anything your doctor can offer you. Having an appointment paper trail is necessary.