Professionals with individual policies can sue the insurance company is state court for "breach of contract" and other related claims. Individuals who have long term disability insurance through their employer are usually limited to the appeals procedure governed by ERISA, a federal law governing employee benefit plans. This may include one or more internal appeals to the same insurance carrier that originally denied your claim. Talk about the fox guarding the chicken coop! If you are eventually unsuccessful with the internal appeals within the insurance company you may file an appeal in federal court.