LONG-TERM DISABILITY (LTD) PLAN

IQVIA Benefits Handbook

If you wish to file a claim for benefits, you should follow the claim procedures described in the section of this SPD that describes the LTD benefits. To complete your claim filing, Lincoln must receive the claim information it requests from you (or your authorized representative), your attending physician and IQVIA. If you or your authorized representative has any questions about what to do, you or your authorized representative should contact Lincoln directly.

Claim Procedures

Lincoln will give you notice of the decision no later than 45 days after the claim is filed. This time period may be extended twice by 30 days if Lincoln both determines that such an extension is necessary due to matters beyond the control of the plan and notifies you of the circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which Lincoln expects to render a decision. If such an extension is necessary due to your failure to submit the information necessary to decide the claim, the notice of extension will specifically describe the required information and you will be afforded at least 45 days within which to provide the specified information. If you deliver the requested information within the time specified, any 30 day extension period will begin after you have provided that information. If you fail to deliver the requested information within the time specified, Lincoln may decide your claim without that information.

If your claim for benefits is wholly or partially denied, the notice of adverse benefit determination under the plan will include all of the following:

The specific reason(s) for the determination.

References specific plan provision(s) on which the determination is based.

Descriptions of additional material or information necessary to complete the claim and why such information is necessary.

Disclosure of plan procedures and time limits for appealing the determination. An explanation of your right to obtain information about those procedures and the right to bring a lawsuit under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse determination from Lincoln on appeal.

Disclosure of any internal rule, guidelines, protocol or similar criterion relied on in making the adverse determination (or state that such information will be provided free of charge upon request).

Notice of the determination may be provided in written or electronic form. Electronic notices will be provided in a form that complies with any applicable legal requirements.

Appeal Procedures

You have 180 days from the receipt of notice of an adverse benefit determination to file an appeal. Requests for appeals should be sent to the address specified in the claim denial. A decision on review will be made no later than 45 days following receipt of the written request for review. If Lincoln determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for a decision on review, the review period may be extended by an additional 45 days (90 days in total). Lincoln will notify you in writing if an additional 45-day extension is needed.

If an extension is necessary due to your failure to submit the information necessary to decide the appeal, the notice of extension will specifically describe the required information and you will be afforded at least 45 days to provide the specified information. If you deliver the requested information within the time specified, the 45-day extension of the appeal period will begin after you have provided that information. If you fail to deliver the requested information within the time specified, Lincoln may decide your appeal without that information.

You will have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents or other information in support of your appeal. You will have access to all relevant documents as defined by applicable U.S. Department of Labor regulations. The review of the adverse benefit determination will take into account all new information, whether or not presented or available at the initial determination. No deference will be afforded to the initial determination.

The review will be conducted by Lincoln and will be made by a person different from the person who made the initial determination and such person will not be the original decision maker's subordinate. In the case of a claim denied on the grounds of a medical judgment, Lincoln will consult with a health professional with appropriate training and experience. The health care professional who is consulted on appeal will not be the individual who was consulted during the initial determination or a subordinate. If the advice of a medical or vocational expert was obtained by the plan in connection with the denial of your claim, Lincoln will provide you with the names of each such expert, regardless of whether the advice was relied upon.

A notice that your request on appeal is denied will contain all of the following information:

The specific reason(s) for the determination.

References to the specific plan provision(s) on which the determination is based.

Disclosure of any internal rule, guidelines, protocol or similar criterion relied on in making the adverse determination (or a statement that such information will be provided free of charge upon request).

An explanation of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following:

The views presented by the claimant to the plan of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant;

The views of medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained on behalf of the plan in connection with a claimant's adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the benefit determination; and

A disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the plan made by the Social Security Administration.

A statement describing your right to bring a lawsuit under Section 502(a) of ERISA if you disagree with the decision.

The statement that you are entitled to receive upon request and without charge, reasonable access to or copies of all documents, records or other information relevant to the determination.

The statement that "You or your plan may have other voluntary alternative dispute resolution options, such as mediation. One way to find out what may be available is to contact your local U.S. Department of Labor Office and your State insurance regulatory agency."

Notice of the determination may be provided in written or electronic form. Electronic notices will be provided in a form that complies with any applicable legal requirements. Notices will be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.

Unless there are special circumstances, this administrative appeal process must be completed before you begin any legal action regarding your claim. See "Judicial Review."

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