Individual Disability Insurance Field Interviews: What You Need to Know

When you file a claim for Individual Disability Insurance (IDI) benefits, the insurance carrier may request a field interview before making a decision. Field interviews are sometimes referred to as “home interviews,” “functional assessments,” or “vocational interviews.” Although they can be stressful, they are a routine part of the IDI claims process. Knowing what a field interview is, why carriers use them, and how best to prepare can help you protect your claim and avoid statements that could unintentionally harm your case.

This page explains what IDI field interviews involve, how carriers use the information gathered, what to expect, and how our attorneys can help you navigate this part of your claim effectively.

What Is an IDI Field Interview?

A field interview is a structured conversation conducted by the insurance carrier or its representative to gather additional information about your disability, daily activities, and functional limitations. These interviews often take place in your home, at your workplace, or another agreed-upon location, and are typically conducted by third-party representatives — not medical doctors.

Although field interviews are common, they are not casual conversations. Carriers use them to assess how your condition affects your ability to perform work-related or daily tasks. What you say — and how you say it — can influence the carrier’s interpretation of your disability.

Why Carriers Conduct Field Interviews

Insurance carriers often request field interviews as part of their evaluation of an Individual Disability Insurance (IDI) claim because these interviews provide insight that the application alone may not capture.

That may include, but is not limited to:

• To clarify or expand upon information already in your medical record.
• To observe how you describe your symptoms and limitations.
• To gather statements about your daily activities, functional capabilities, and routines.
• To verify or investigate perceived inconsistencies between your reported limitations and other evidence.
• To support the carrier’s internal evaluation in cases where medical evidence alone may not appear conclusive.

A field interview is often a data-gathering step — one that carriers weigh heavily when medical records do not fully capture your limitations or when they need more context for their decision.

What Happens During a Field Interview

Understanding the typical structure of a field interview can help you prepare both mentally and practically.

While formats vary, most interviews share common elements:

• Who Conducts the Interview: Third-party representatives hired by the carrier, which may include vocational specialists, nurses, or trained interviewers without medical qualifications.
• Location: Interviews usually occur in your home or in a private setting agreed to by you and the carrier.
• Duration: Interviews can take 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on the questions and observations.
• Topics Covered: Interviewers may ask about daily routines, symptom severity, functional limitations, medication use, work availability, and physical capabilities.

Field interviews are often recorded or documented in detailed notes that become part of the claim file. The carrier will review these notes along with your medical record when making a benefits decision.

Common Field Interview Questions

While every interview is different, interviewers typically ask questions designed to elicit information about how your condition affects your life and work.

These may include:

• Questions about your typical daily activities and routines.
• Inquiries about how your condition limits specific physical or cognitive tasks.
• Questions about your ability to stand, walk, lift, or sit for periods of time.
• Questions about recent activities that may seem inconsistent with reported limitations.
• Clarifications about statements made in your medical records or claim form.

Being prepared for these topics can help you respond accurately and consistently.

How Carriers Use Field Interview Information

Field interview summaries or reports become part of the official claim file and are used alongside medical records and other evidence to determine whether benefits are owed.

Carriers may use interview content to:

• Corroborate or contradict aspects of your medical record.
• Support decisions regarding your functional capabilities.
• Justify requests for additional documentation or evaluations.
• Support a denial if they interpret statements as inconsistent with claimed limitations.

Because these interviews can shape how carriers view your overall disability picture, how you communicate during the process matters.

What You Should (and Should Not) Do

Field interviews require careful preparation and thoughtful responses.

Here are important guidelines to help you navigate the process effectively:

How to Prepare

• Review your medical records before the interview so you are clear about how your condition has been documented.
• Understand your policy’s disability definition, including whether it focuses on “own occupation” or “any occupation.”
• Think about how your symptoms limit your ability to perform specific job duties or daily tasks.
• Be ready with specific examples of how your condition impacts your life.
• Dress comfortably but appropriately, and plan for a quiet, distraction-free setting if the interview is conducted at home.
• Consider practicing your responses in advance to ensure clarity and consistency.

What to Avoid

• Do not guess or speculate when you are unsure of an answer.
• Avoid minimizing or exaggerating your limitations.
• Do not volunteer unrelated health information or off-topic details.
• Steer clear of confrontational or defensive language.
• Do not discuss details that are not relevant to your functional limitations or policy definitions.

Clear, calm, and accurate communication helps carriers evaluate your claim without introducing unnecessary confusion.

Why Legal Guidance Matters Before Field Interviews

Field interviews can be a pivotal point in your claim.

Our attorneys can help you prepare strategically by:

• Reviewing your medical record and identifying areas where clarity or additional evidence may help.
• Helping you anticipate the types of questions likely to be asked.
• Advising you on how to discuss your limitations in a way that aligns with your policy’s requirements.
• Assisting with documentation that can support your interview responses.
• Helping you interpret and respond to carrier follow-up requests after the interview.

Preparation guided by experienced legal insight can reduce the risk that interview responses will be misinterpreted or used to justify denial.

After the Field Interview — What Happens Next

Once the field interview is complete, the carrier will:

• Review the interview notes along with your medical record and claim form.
• Possibly request additional documentation or clarify points raised during the interview.
• Decide whether to approve, delay, or deny your claim.

If the carrier approves your claim, benefits will be paid according to your policy terms. If the carrier denies your claim, you have the right to appeal the decision. How well you prepared for and conducted yourself during the field interview can influence both the outcome and the strength of your appeal.

Contact Our Nationwide IDI Field Interview Preparation Attorneys for Help Today

Field interviews are a common part of the Individual Disability Insurance claims process, and they carry real weight in how carriers assess your limitations. Understanding what field interviews entail, how carriers use interview information, and how to respond thoughtfully can help protect your claim and improve the likelihood of a fair evaluation.

Preparing for a field interview isn’t something you should do lightly. If you have questions or want help preparing before an interview, call 954-989-9000 or reach out online today for a free consultation. Our nationwide attorneys at Disability Insurance Law Group are available to provide experienced guidance tailored to your unique situation.