ERISA Long-Term Disability Carrier Extension Requests: What You Need to Know

If you’ve submitted a long-term disability (LTD) claim under an ERISA plan, you may receive a carrier extension request before a final decision is made. A carrier extension request does not mean your claim will be denied. Instead, it usually means the plan administrator is taking additional time to fully review your file, collect evidence, or clarify certain medical or vocational issues.

Understanding what these requests mean, how they affect timelines, and what you should do next is essential to protecting your claim and avoiding unnecessary delays. This page explains carrier extension requests and how to navigate them effectively.

What Is a Carrier Extension Request?

A carrier extension request is a formal notice from your disability plan’s administrator or insurance carrier stating that more time is needed to review your claim before issuing a decision.

Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), plans are allowed to extend the initial review period when certain conditions are met. The extension gives the administrator additional time to gather evidence, evaluate complex information, or consult medical professionals regarding your condition.

A carrier extension request differs from a denial. It means the review process is still ongoing. Still, it also signals that you should pay close attention to what the administrator is looking for and whether additional evidence is needed.

Why Disability Carriers Request Extensions

Carrier extension requests are common, especially in complex or borderline cases.

Some of the most frequent reasons include:

• The insurer needs more time to obtain or review medical records.
• Additional clinical information is required to determine how your condition affects your ability to work.
• Third-party medical or vocational reviews are pending.
• The plan administrator needs more time to coordinate your claim with other benefit sources.
• There are conflicting records that require clarification before a decision is made.

Each of these reasons reflects an effort to fully evaluate your claim before deciding. However, it is important to be proactive rather than passive when you receive this type of request.

How ERISA’s Timing Rules Work

ERISA sets strict deadlines for plan administrators to make benefit decisions. When an extension is requested, these deadlines are typically extended in accordance with the policy.

Key points to understand include:

• ERISA allows a plan administrator to extend the initial decision period if the plan language permits it.
• Extension periods are usually structured in increments (for example, 45 days plus an additional 45 days).
• The carrier must notify you in writing of the extension request and the reasons for it.
• The notification should include the new deadline by which the plan expects to decide.

It’s important to carefully read the extension notice to understand how much additional time the administrator is granting and why.

What You Should Do When You Receive an Extension Request

Receiving a carrier extension request is not a situation where you should wait and hope for a favorable decision.

There are several proactive steps you should take:

1. Review the Extension Notice Carefully

• Confirm the new deadline for the decision.
• Note the reasons the carrier provided for the extension.
• Check whether the notice references specific evidence that is pending or needed.

2. Determine Whether Additional Evidence Should Be Submitted

• Consult with your treating medical providers to see whether updated or supplemental records should be added.
• If key functional limitations are not reflected clearly, consider obtaining more detailed provider statements.

3. Track Deadlines Closely

• Write down the extended deadline date.
• Make sure any evidence you intend to submit arrives before that date.

4. Contact Our Attorneys for Guidance

• Our attorneys can help interpret the extension request and assist with determining whether additional records should be submitted before the extended deadline.
• Early attorney involvement helps ensure your record is as strong as possible before the administrator makes a decision.

Proactive management of your claim during an extension period can prevent weak records from becoming the basis for a future denial.

Common Mistakes Claimants Make With Extension Requests

Even though extension requests are not denials, many claimants make mistakes that harm their prospects.

That may include, but is not limited to:

• Assuming the extension means a favorable decision is coming.
• Not submitting additional relevant medical or vocational evidence before the new deadline.
• Missing the extended deadline because it was not tracked carefully.
• Failing to consult with our attorneys before the extended review period expires.

Avoiding these mistakes increases your chances of a proper evaluation and reduces the need for an appeal later.

How Our Attorneys Can Help With Extension Requests

When you receive a carrier extension request, our attorneys can provide critical support, including:

• Interpreting the language of the extension notice and advising you on deadlines.
• Reviewing your medical and vocational records to identify gaps or areas that should be clarified.
• Communicating with providers to obtain supplemental medical information.
• Advising you on whether additional evidence should be submitted before the extended deadline.
• Helping you organize your records for maximum impact on the administrator’s decision.

Our attorneys approach each case with the understanding that early, thoughtful preparation often reduces the need for an appeal and strengthens your overall claim.

Contact Our Nationwide ERISA LTD Carrier Extension Attorneys For Help Today

Carrier extension requests are a routine part of the ERISA long-term disability process. They reflect the plan administrator’s need for more time to evaluate your claim — not a denial of benefits.

That said, how you respond to an extension request matters. Taking the time to understand the notice, track deadlines, and work with medical professionals and experienced attorneys can help ensure your claim remains on solid ground.

When you receive a carrier extension request, it is not something to be ignored. Contact our team at Disability Insurance Law Group at 954-989-9000 or reach out online to make sure you respond strategically and protect your rights under your ERISA long-term disability plan.