Hartford's Initial Denial Does Not End Your Claim

When Hartford denies a disability claim, the letter you receive is not a final decision—it is the start of a process. Hartford, like all insurance companies, must follow specific rules about how they review claims and what they must tell you when they say no. Understanding those rules and the steps available to you is how most people move forward after a denial.

The denial letter itself contains the reason Hartford gave for rejecting your claim. That reason matters because it shapes what you do next. Hartford might say they do not believe your condition prevents you from working, or that your medical records do not support the severity you describe, or that you did not follow their procedures. Each reason has a different response.

Key Takeaways

  • Hartford must send you a written denial that explains their reason and tells you how to appeal—read this letter carefully because it contains important date and the specific grounds you will address.
  • You have the right to request all documents Hartford used to make their decision, including their internal notes and any medical exams they ordered.
  • An appeal to Hartford (called a first-level appeal or reconsideration) must be filed within the important date in your denial letter, usually 180 days but sometimes shorter.
  • If Hartford denies your appeal, you can request an independent external review, which means a doctor outside Hartford will look at your case.
  • Gathering new medical evidence—test results, specialist letters, functional assessments—between your denial and appeal is often the most effective way to change the outcome.

What Hartford's Denial Letter Must Contain

Federal law requires Hartford to give you specific information in any denial. The letter must state the reason for the denial in plain language, not just cite a policy number. It must tell you what documents Hartford reviewed and what they did not review. It must explain what additional information would have changed their decision, if anything. And it must tell you exactly how long you have to appeal and where to send your appeal.

Read the denial letter twice. The first time, look for the important date—this is not negotiable, and missing it closes your appeal rights. The second time, underline the reason Hartford gave. That reason is what you will address in your appeal. If the letter is unclear or seems to contradict itself, call Hartford's claims department and ask them to clarify in writing. Do not rely on a phone conversation; get it in writing.

Keep the original denial letter and every piece of mail from Hartford. You will need to reference specific dates and statements when you appeal. If you lose the letter, call Hartford and ask them to send you a copy certified as a true copy of the original.

Requesting Hartford's File and Medical Records

You have the right to see everything Hartford used to decide your claim. This includes the medical records they received from your doctors, any medical exam Hartford ordered (called an independent medical examination or IME), notes from Hartford's claims reviewer, and any other documents in your file. Requesting this file is not optional—it is essential because you cannot effectively appeal without knowing what Hartford actually saw.

Send a written request to Hartford's claims department. State your claim number, your name, and ask for a complete copy of your claim file. Give them 10 business days to respond. If they do not send it, send a second request and reference the first one. Keep copies of both requests.

Once you have the file, look for gaps. Did Hartford receive records from all your doctors? Did they order an IME, and if so, what did that doctor say? Did Hartford's reviewer note any medical findings, or did they focus only on whether you followed procedures? These gaps are often where appeals succeed—Hartford made a decision without complete information.

Filing Your Appeal With Hartford

Hartford calls this a first-level appeal or reconsideration. You submit new information, point out errors in Hartford's reasoning, or both. The appeal goes to a different reviewer at Hartford, not the person who made the original denial. This reviewer is supposed to look at your case fresh, though in practice they often defer to the first decision unless you present something substantially new.

Your appeal letter should be organized and specific. Start by restating Hartford's reason for denial. Then, point out any factual errors—for example, if Hartford said you did not submit records from your rheumatologist, but you did, say so and reference the date you submitted them. Next, address the medical question directly: explain why your condition prevents you from working, using your medical records and your own description of what you cannot do. Finally, include any new medical evidence—recent test results, a new specialist letter, a functional capacity evaluation, anything that strengthens your case.

Send your appeal by certified mail with return receipt requested. Include a cover letter that lists everything you are enclosing. Keep a copy of everything you send. Do not assume Hartford has your earlier documents; include copies of key medical records again, even if you submitted them before.

Gathering New Medical Evidence Between Denial and Appeal

The time between your denial and your appeal important date is your chance to build a stronger medical record. This is often more effective than arguing about what Hartford already has. New evidence means recent test results, a letter from your treating doctor that specifically addresses your functional limitations, or a formal functional capacity evaluation (FCE) performed by a physical therapist or occupational therapist.

If you have not seen a specialist related to your condition, now is the time. Hartford's denial often rests on the claim that your condition is not as severe as you say. A specialist's assessment, especially one that includes specific findings (imaging results, test scores, measurements of range of motion or strength), carries weight that your own description does not.

A functional capacity evaluation is particularly useful. This is a formal assessment where a therapist watches you perform everyday tasks and documents what you can and cannot do. It produces a written report with specific findings. Hartford takes these seriously because they are objective and performed by a neutral professional. The cost varies, but some doctors' offices can refer you to a low-cost or sliding-scale provider.

External Review if Hartford Denies Your Appeal

If Hartford denies your first appeal, you have the right to request an external review. This means an independent doctor outside Hartford—someone with no financial interest in the outcome—will review your entire case. This is called an independent external review or IRO review. It is free to you, and Hartford pays for it.

You request an external review in writing, within the important date stated in Hartford's appeal denial letter. You submit the same materials you submitted in your appeal, plus any new information you have gathered since then. The external reviewer reads everything, may order additional medical records, and issues a written decision. If the external reviewer agrees with you, Hartford must reverse their denial and pay your claim.

External review is not a may provide, but it is a real second opinion. The reviewer is a licensed physician in your state, often a specialist in your condition, and they are not bound by Hartford's internal policies. If your case has merit—if the medical evidence actually supports that you cannot work—external review is where that often becomes clear.

When to Consult a Disability Attorney

You do not need a lawyer to appeal Hartford's denial, but an attorney who handles disability insurance claims can be useful at certain points. If Hartford's denial seems to rest on a factual error—they say they never received records that you submitted, or they misread a test result—an attorney can force Hartford to correct the record. If your case is complex, with multiple conditions or conflicting medical opinions, an attorney can help organize the evidence and frame the appeal persuasively.

Most disability attorneys work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of any money Hartford pays you as a result of the appeal. This percentage is usually 25 percent of the back pay owed, though it varies. Ask any attorney you contact what their fee is and whether it is contingent on winning.

You do not have to hire an attorney to request an external review, but if you do, the attorney can prepare the submission and present your case to the external reviewer. This can improve your chances, especially if the case is medically complex.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to appeal Hartford's denial?

The important date is in your denial letter. It is usually 180 days from the date of the letter, but some Hartford policies have shorter important date. If you miss the important date, you lose your right to appeal to Hartford. You may still have options through your state's insurance commissioner, but do not miss this important date.

Can Hartford deny my appeal without reading new medical evidence I submitted?

No. Hartford must consider all evidence you submit with your appeal. If they deny your appeal without addressing the new evidence, that is grounds for an external review. In your external review request, point out that Hartford did not address specific documents you submitted.

What happens if the external reviewer agrees with me?

Hartford must reverse their denial and pay your claim. You receive back pay from the date your disability began, minus any waiting period in your policy. Hartford also pays interest on the back pay, though the rate varies by state.

Can I work while my appeal is pending?

Yes. Working does not hurt your appeal as long as you are honest about what you earn and what you can do. If you work part-time or at a reduced capacity because of your condition, that actually supports your claim. Do not hide work income; Hartford will discover it and use it against you.

What if Hartford says I did not follow their procedures?

Procedure denials are often reversible. If Hartford says you missed a important date or did not submit forms correctly, your appeal should focus on whether the important date was reasonable and whether you actually missed it. If Hartford did not clearly communicate the requirement, that is a strong argument. Request your file to see exactly what Hartford told you and when.