Church Pension Group | The Appeals Process

The Appeals Process

Appeal Relating to a Disability Determination

First-Level Appeal

All disability claims are reviewed by CPF's Medical Board, Aflac. If Aflac denies your claim, in whole or in part, and you do not agree with Aflac's decision, you, your attorney, or a person legally authorized as your representative may request a review of your claim by filing a first-level appeal. The appeal must be in writing and submitted within 180 days after the date you receive Aflac's denial letter.

Aflac will complete a full and fair review of your appeal. The review will be independent and will not be completed by the person who made the initial decision. Aflac will provide you with a full written explanation of its decision generally within 45 days after its receipt of your first-level appeal. If Aflac needs additional time (up to 45 days) to review your appeal, it will let you know of the extension before the expiration of the first 45 days.

You have the following options to submit a first-level appeal to Aflac:

  • By fax to (800) 206-4063; or
  • Take a photo of or scan your appeal information and upload it to your case at https://mygrouplifedisability.aflac.com or send it by email to myzurichleave@zurichna.com (make sure to include your case number in the subject line of the email); or
  • By mail to:
    Aflac
    PO Box 1725
    Grand Rapids, MI 49501

If a Disability Claim is Denied
Disability benefits will be suspended. However, if the denial is subsequently overturned, disability benefits will be paid retroactively.

Second-Level Appeal

After Aflac’s appeals procedures have been exhausted and the denial determination has been upheld, the claimant, or his or her authorized representative, may submit a second-level appeal to CPF. This must be done within the following number of days after the date the claimant receives Aflac's denial letter for the first-level appeal:

  • For a short-term disability appeal, 60 days
  • For all other disability appeals, 180 days

(CPF may, in its sole discretion, extend the time period to file a second-level appeal.)

The appeal must be in writing and should give a detailed explanation of why the claimant believes the first-level appeal should not have been denied. It also should include any other documents or supporting information that may have a bearing on the appeal.

You should submit a second-level appeal to
Church Pension Group
P. O. Box 2745
New York, NY 10163-2745
Attn: Benefit Appeals Committee

The second-level appeal will be subject to a full and fair review that does not give deference to the determination of the first-level appeal. CPF may, in its sole discretion, consult with an independent expert of its choosing when it reviews the second-level appeal.

The claimant will generally receive a written response to his or her second-level appeal within 90 days after it is received by CPF. If CPF needs additional time (up to 90 days) to review the second-level appeal, the claimant will be notified of the reason(s) for the delay and the anticipated response date, which may not exceed a total of 180 days from the date CPF receives the second-level appeal.

If the second-level appeal is denied, CPF’s written response will give the specific reason(s) for the denial and the applicable plan’s provision(s) on which the final denial decision is based.

After CPF’s Final Determination

A claimant may not file a civil suit until he or she has exhausted the appeals procedures outlined above. If a claimant is not satisfied with CPF’s final determination (of the second-level appeal), the claimant must file a civil suit within 180 days after receiving CPF’s final determination. As a participant or beneficiary in a CPF benefit plan, the claimant has consented to the venue and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in New York City. Therefore, any civil action must be filed in New York City.