August 2025 – Only 2 Diagnoses Belong in LTD…!

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…And that might be a stretch!

When mental health claims extend into long-term disability (LTD), there’s often an unspoken assumption: the condition must be chronic, severe, or permanent. But as Dr. Les Kertay, Chief Psychologist at The Claim Lab points out, that’s rarely the case.

“By the time we’re in LTD… Perhaps unstable, treatment resistant bipolar-I disorder, schizophrenia, or (rarely) very severe and treatment resistant major depressive disorder. Those I understand. Should anything else extend into LTD? I am convinced we should be able to help that person get stable enough to be functional… and I’m stretching even on these three.” — Dr. Les Kertay




This isn’t a dismissal of mental illness. It’s a clinical call to action. The majority of mental health conditions are treatable and, with timely and appropriate care, do not require indefinite time away from work. In fact, mental health recovery should not be the exception — it should be the expectation.

Most Mental Health Conditions Are TreatableThe evidence supports Dr. Kertay’s position:

  • The American Psychiatric Association (2020) reports that 80–90% of individuals with depression respond well to treatment.
     
  • Anxiety disorders, which are among the most common mental health claims, are also highly treatable with therapy, medication, or a combination of both (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022).
     
  • Even individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia can achieve stability and function with consistent treatment and psychosocial support.
     

When individuals remain out of work long term for treatable conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, situational depression, or adjustment disorder, it’s often not due to the severity of the diagnosis—but rather due to:

  • Lack of coordinated care
     
  • Delayed treatment
     
  • Avoidance behaviors reinforced by inactivity
     
  • Lack of structured return-to-work planning
     

Redefining the Role of Claims Professionals

This is where claim professionals can make a meaningful difference. Rather than accepting long-term absence as inevitable, we should view it as a prompt to engage deeper:

  • Ask purposeful questions: What is preventing return to work? What support has been tried? What barriers can be removed?
     
  • Consult behavioral health specialists: Early involvement of a psychologist or psychiatrist on the case can lead to more accurate assessments and faster progress.
     
  • Communicate with treating providers: Direct conversations can clarify functional capacity and treatment plans, and help align around recovery goals.
     
  • Set expectations: Position recovery and return to function as the default—not the exception.
     

Disability Shouldn’t Be the Default

Long-term disability is a vital safety net—but it’s not where most mental health claims should land. When LTD becomes the assumed endpoint for common mental health conditions, we risk doing more harm than good. Extended time away from work can:

  • Reinforce isolation and avoidance
     
  • Erode self-esteem and identity
     
  • Decrease motivation for recovery

Instead, we should focus on reclaiming routine, restoring purpose, and rebuilding function. The goal isn’t just to close a file — it’s to help someone get their life back.

Final Thought

LTD should be the rare exception, not the rule, in mental health claims. With timely intervention, coordinated care, and proactive claims management, we can change the trajectory. Recovery is not only possible—it’s likely. We just have to expect it, plan for it, and support it.

If you would like to learn more, please reach out to Dr Kertay, Email Here.

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