Posted on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 at 5:19 pm
Many people who receive long-term disability (LTD) benefits face a shocking reality: their insurance company denies or terminates their benefits right around the 24-month mark. This isn’t a coincidence. Insurance companies use the 24-month disability limitation as a common strategy to reduce their payouts, especially for mental health conditions. Understanding why this happens and what you can do about it is critical to protecting your financial security.
Understanding the 24-Month Limitation in LTD Policies
Most long-term disability insurance policies include a 24-month limitation period for certain conditions. This means that after you receive benefits for 24 months, your coverage may change or stop entirely. Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD are the most commonly affected by these limitations. However, other conditions with subjective symptoms, such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and migraines, also frequently face 24-month restrictions.
The 24-month clock typically starts when you first become disabled and begin receiving benefits. Once you hit that two-year mark, your insurance company may claim you no longer qualify for benefits under the policy’s terms. This transition often coincides with a change in how the insurance company defines “disability” in your case.
Why Capitan Law Sees So Many 24-Month Denials
The 24-month limitation is one of the most common reasons Capitan Law receives calls from frustrated claimants. Insurance companies deliberately structure their policies this way because they know many disabled workers won’t understand what’s happening when their benefits suddenly stop. By the time claimants realize they’ve been denied long-term disability benefits, the appeal window may be closing.
Insurance companies count on the fact that most people don’t read the fine print of their disability policies. They also rely on the assumption that claimants won’t hire an attorney to fight back. This is where having experienced legal representation makes all the difference in recovering the benefits you deserve. Capitan Law‘s attorneys have successfully handled thousands of 24-month limitation cases.
Mental Health Conditions and the 24-Month Limitation
Mental health conditions face the strictest limitations in disability insurance. Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and other mental health impairments are commonly limited to 24 months of benefits. Insurance companies justify this by claiming that mental health conditions are harder to verify with “objective” medical evidence.
However, this reasoning is flawed. A diagnosis from a treating psychiatrist or psychologist is objective medical evidence. The fact that a condition cannot be seen on an X-ray does not make it less real or disabling. Courts have recognized this issue. In one important case, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that insurance companies cannot apply a 24-month mental health limitation unless the claimant would not be totally disabled “but for” the mental health condition. This means if you have a physical condition that alone would make you unable to work, the 24-month clock may not apply to your mental health diagnosis. Learn more about mental health disability claims.
The Transition from “Own Occupation” to “Any Occupation”
At the 24-month mark, most LTD policies change how they define disability. During the first 24 months, you typically receive benefits if you cannot perform your own occupation. This is called “own occupation” coverage. After 24 months, the definition often shifts to “any occupation,” meaning you only qualify for benefits if you cannot work in any job for which you are reasonably qualified.
This transition is where many denials occur. Insurance companies use the “any occupation” definition to argue that you could work in a different field, even if that work would pay significantly less or require skills you don’t have. For example, a surgeon with severe hand tremors might be told they could work as a consultant, even though consulting work pays a fraction of surgical income. Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals frequently face this type of denial.
Common Reasons Insurance Companies Deny Claims at the 24-Month Mark
Insurance companies use several tactics to deny or terminate benefits when the 24-month period ends:
Insufficient medical evidence – The company claims your medical records don’t prove you’re still disabled. Proper documentation is critical to winning your claim.
Failure to meet the “any occupation” definition – They argue you could work in some other job, even if you lack the training or experience.
Medical improvement – They claim your condition has improved enough for you to return to work, despite ongoing symptoms.
Lack of objective evidence – They focus on subjective symptoms they claim cannot be verified, ignoring functional capacity evaluations.
Pre-existing condition exclusions – They retroactively claim your condition existed before your policy started, invoking pre-existing condition exclusions.
What You Can Do If Your Benefits Were Denied or Terminated
If your LTD benefits were denied or terminated at the 24-month mark, you have rights. Under federal law (ERISA), you have 180 days from the date of denial to file an appeal. This appeal period is critical because it may be your only chance to submit additional evidence to the insurance company before pursuing litigation.
During the appeal process, gather comprehensive medical documentation from your treating physicians. Request detailed statements explaining your functional limitations and why you remain unable to work. If the insurance company hired an independent medical examiner, consider obtaining your own independent evaluation to counter their findings. An experienced disability attorney can help you develop a strategic appeal that addresses the insurance company’s specific reasons for denial.
Why Choose Capitan Law
Capitan Law focuses exclusively on long-term disability insurance claims. Unlike general practice law firms, we dedicate our entire practice to helping disabled workers fight insurance company denials and terminations. We have extensive experience handling 24-month limitation cases and understand the tactics insurance companies use at this critical juncture.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and no attorney fees unless we recover benefits for you. We represent clients nationwide, and we have successfully appealed countless denials for clients facing 24-month terminations. Our track record speaks for itself: we’ve helped disabled workers recover benefits they were wrongfully denied, including cases where benefits were reinstated after being terminated at the 24-month mark. Contact Capitan Law to discuss your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my benefits after 24 months?
This depends on your specific policy. Some policies terminate benefits entirely after 24 months for certain conditions. Others change the definition of disability from “own occupation” to “any occupation.” Review your policy documents carefully, or contact Capitan Law for a free policy review.
Can insurance companies deny my claim just because I’ve received 24 months of benefits?
No. The fact that you’ve received 24 months of benefits does not automatically mean you’re no longer disabled. Insurance companies must prove that you no longer meet the policy’s definition of disability. If your condition hasn’t improved, you may still qualify for benefits. Learn about your rights under ERISA.
What is the difference between “own occupation” and “any occupation”?
“Own occupation” means you receive benefits if you cannot perform the duties of your specific job. “Any occupation” means you only receive benefits if you cannot work in any job for which you are reasonably qualified based on your education, training, and experience. The “any occupation” standard is much harder to meet.
How long do I have to appeal a denial?
Under ERISA, you typically have 180 days from the date of your denial letter to file an appeal. This deadline is strict, and missing it could cost you your right to appeal. If you’ve received a denial, contact Capitan Law immediately.
Do I need a lawyer to appeal my claim?
While you can appeal on your own, having an experienced disability attorney significantly improves your chances of success. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and medical professionals working to deny your claim. You deserve experienced representation on your side.
Take Action Today
If your long-term disability benefits were denied or terminated at the 24-month mark, don’t wait. Contact Capitan Law today for a free consultation. Call (267) 419-7888 to speak with an experienced disability attorney who can review your case and explain your options. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no cost to you unless we recover your benefits. Your financial security is too important to leave to chance. Let us fight for the benefits you deserve.
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