We help people get the compensation they deserve.Cigna Disability Claim Denials
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance issued by The Cigna Group is meant to provide financial support when policyholders get sick or hurt. However, Cigna has been known to deny valid claims to boost its profits. An LTD attorney can appeal Cigna disability claim denials to pursue the benefits you deserve. Get started now.
Why Take Legal Action?
By challenging a wrongful disability insurance denial, you can pursue the benefits and justice you deserve.
Results Secured
- $1.36 million for a New York man whose Aetna long-term disability claim and appeal were denied
- $1.21 million for a California worker denied disability benefits
- $975,000 for a physician who lost his hearing and was denied long-term disability benefits by Unum
Understanding Cigna Denied Claims
Cigna offers short-term and long-term disability insurance to help people make ends meet if they’re unable to work because of an injury or illness.
However, Cigna has a pattern of wrongfully denying valid claims, leaving many policyholders without the benefits they’ve paid for. A Cigna disability claim denial may be considered insurance bad faith, an illegal tactic used across the insurance industry.
Unjust Cigna disability claim denials can be frustrating and leave your family without the financial resources needed during this challenging time.
A class action lawsuit accuses Cigna of using AI (artificial intelligence) to automatically reject tens of thousands of health insurance claims without examining them first, as required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
ERISA also gives policyholders the right to appeal Cigna disability claim denials and provides the process for doing so. If you’ve been wrongfully denied benefits, we may be able to help.
The lawyers in our network have secured over $133 million for unfair disability claim denials, including those issued by Cigna.
Get a free case review now to see if one of our legal partners can help you fight back against a Cigna disability claim denial.
What to Do After a Cigna Claims Denial
If you’re dealing with a Cigna disability claim denial, you may have legal options. An experienced lawyer can review the facts of your case and fight for the benefits you’re owed.
A Cigna long-term disability lawyer can:
- File an appeal after your Cigna disability claim is denied
- Request a second appeal if Cigna rejects your initial appeal
- Submit a formal complaint with your state’s Insurance Department to lay the groundwork for potential legal action
- File a Cigna disability claim denials lawsuit and pursue an out-of-court settlement
- Represent you in court, if necessary
A Cigna claims denials lawyer can handle all aspects of the appeals process for you, so you can focus on your health and well-being.
With an experienced legal professional by your side, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your paperwork has been filled out correctly, filed before any deadlines, and submitted with strong evidence.
Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to see if a top LTD attorney can help you appeal a Cigna claim denial.
How to File a Cigna Disability Claim Denial Lawsuit
Appealing Cigna disability claim denials can be challenging without legal help, especially since the insurance company often uses tactics to deny paying the money it owes.
By working with a Cigna disability attorney, you can improve your chances of getting the benefits you deserve as quickly as possible.
The basic steps involved in the Cigna appeals process are listed below.
1. Get a Free Case Review
Cigna claim denial lawyers understand the strategies used to deny valid claims and how to overcome them. Find out if we can connect you with a top attorney during a free, no-obligation case review.
The disability denial lawyers in the LawFirm.com network never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees, so there’s no financial risk to work with them.
2. Collect Evidence
Your lawyer and their legal team will gather evidence to prove you meet Cigna’s long-term disability qualifications.
Evidence to fight back against Cigna disability claim denials may include:
- Correspondence from Cigna, like the disability claim denial letter
- Information from your employer
- Medical records
- Treatment notes from your doctor
- Your Cigna disability insurance policy
Your team may also collect evidence showing that Cigna had no reasonable basis for denying your claim and acted in bad faith as a result. This may entitle you to punitive damages to punish Cigna for its actions.
3. File Your Cigna Disability Claim Denial Lawsuit
Using this information, your lawyer will file your lawsuit in the correct court and before any legal deadlines. They will handle all communications from Cigna on your behalf and keep you updated as your claim moves forward.
4. Access Compensation
Most Cigna disability denial lawsuits end in settlements, meaning the majority of policyholders secure compensation without ever stepping foot in a courtroom.
However, if a settlement isn’t reached, your legal team will be prepared to present your case in court and fight for compensation from a trial verdict.
Regardless of the path your case takes, your Cigna claim denials attorney will fight for as much compensation as possible.
Reasons for Cigna Denied Claims
Cigna may deny claims for several reasons, often related to coverage limits, documentation issues, or policy exclusions.
Reasons for Cigna disability claim denials include:
- A pre-existing medical condition
- An error by a Cigna claims adjuster
- Incomplete or incorrect paperwork
- Insufficient proof of disability
- Missing medical records
Your Cigna disability claim denial letter should note why the insurer denied your application for long-term disability benefits.
An LTD lawyer can help you understand the reason for your Cigna long-term disability denial and file an appeal on your behalf if it was without cause.
Get Help From a Cigna Disability Attorney
Workers who purchase long-term disability insurance from Cigna trust that the company will treat them fairly and honor their policy in the event they become sick or injured.
With a net worth of over $80 billion, Cigna has teams of lawyers prepared to defend the company’s actions. A Cigna disability claim denials lawyer can even the playing field and fight for the benefits you deserve.
The long-term disability lawyers we work with have recovered over $133 million for unjust disability claim denials, including those by Cigna.
The Cigna disability lawyers in our network:
- Can help policyholders in all 50 states
- Have years of experience fighting back against insurance companies
- Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees
Call (888) 726-9160 right now or get a free case review to see if one of our trusted legal partners can fight for you.
Cigna Claim Denied FAQs
Does Cigna deny a lot of claims?
Yes, Cigna, like many other disability insurers, is known for a high rate of claim denials. The Cigna claim denial rate may vary based on the specific plan, type of claim, and the state in which the policyholder lives.
If you’re facing a Cigna disability claim denial, we may be able to help. Get started with a free case review.
How do you qualify for Cigna long-term disability?
To qualify for Cigna long-term disability, claimants must undergo a medical exam confirming they cannot work due to an injury or illness. They must submit a claim form along with a statement from a health care provider.
These qualifications may vary based on your specific long-term disability policy. A disability denial lawyer can explain the process and work to ensure you get the benefits you’re entitled to.
Is Cigna using AI to deny claims?
Cigna uses AI to deny health insurance claims in bulk, according to a proposed class action lawsuit filed in California.
The lawsuit comes on the heels of a ProPublica report that found that one Cigna doctor would deny as many as 60,000 claims per month using an algorithm. This allegedly allowed the insurer to deny a claim in just 1.2 seconds.
Even though Cigna denies claims asserted in the lawsuit, a judge refused the insurer’s bid to dismiss the action in March 2025.
What to do if your disability claim is denied by Cigna?
If Cigna denies your disability claim, there are several steps you can take to seek the compensation you’re owed.
These include:
- Review the denial letter to understand the specific reasons for your Cigna disability claim denial
- Gather any additional medical evidence and documentation to support your claim
- Consult with a disability insurance lawyer to understand your legal options and navigate the claims process for denied disability
It’s important to act quickly, as you typically only have 180 days to file an appeal for Cigna long-term disability claims and seek the benefits you’re entitled to.
Call (888) 726-9160 now or chat with a case manager to get help with Cigna disability claim denials.
Why is Cigna not paying claims?
Long-term disability insurance companies like Cigna are notorious for denying valid claims to avoid paying out disability insurance benefits. They may deny claims that are filled out incorrectly or lack medical documentation.
In some cases, Cigna disability claim denials are issued due to a pre-existing condition or for mental health disorders like depression or anxiety that may be difficult to prove.
An experienced lawyer can collect evidence to show that the denial of a Cigna long-term disability claim was without cause and file an appeal aiming to reverse the decision. See if we can connect you with a free case review.
What happens if Cigna denies a claim?
If Cigna denies a claim for long-term disability benefits, you have the right to appeal. Appealing a Cigna disability denial can be complicated, so working with a lawyer is often the best way to increase your chances of a successful outcome.
A Cigna disability claim denials attorney can:
- Collect proof of your long-term disability
- File your disability appeal and supporting documentation with Cigna
- Follow up with the company and keep you updated on your Cigna long-term disability claim status
- File a second Cigna disability claim denials appeal if your first one is denied
- Hold Cigna accountable by filing a disability denial lawsuit
With an experienced long-term disability denial lawyer by your side, you can be confident that your appeal will be filed correctly and before any deadlines, improving your chances of securing the benefits you deserve.
How much does a Cigna disability lawyer cost?
The Cigna disability lawyers in the LawFirm.com network never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees to represent you. Instead, they work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay if they secure compensation for you.
This allows you to pursue the benefits you’re owed without adding to financial stresses that occur when you can’t work due to a health condition.
Call (888) 726-9160 now to see if a top attorney can fight a Cigna denial for you.
Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore
Rae Theodore is a writer and editor with more than 30 years of experience in legal publishing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Pennsylvania State University.
- Cigna. “Employee-Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance.” Retrieved from https://legacy.cigna.com/assets/docs/microsites/richardsonisd/voluntary-long-term-disability.pdf.
- Courthouse News Service. “Judge advances case over Cigna use of algorithms to deny health claims.” Retrieved from https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-advances-class-claims-over-cigna-use-of-automated-algorithm-to-deny-benefits/#.
- Pacer Center. “ERISA Claims and Appeals Procedures.” Retrieved from https://www.pacer.org/health/pdfs/hiac-h15.pdf.
- ProPublica. “How Cigna Saves Millions by Having Its Doctors Reject Claims Without Reading Them.” Retrieved from https://www.propublica.org/article/cigna-pxdx-medical-health-insurance-rejection-claims#.
- Sokolove Law. “Cigna Long-Term Disability Insurance Denial.” Retrieved from https://www.sokolovelaw.com/disability-insurance-denial/long-term-disability-denial/insurance-providers/cigna/.
- U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration. “Filing a Claim for Your Disability Benefits.” Retrieved from https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/publications/filing-a-claim-for-your-disability-benefits.pdf.
