Phone Call Recordings May Be Requested by Claimants

Phone Call Recordings may be Requested by Claimants if They’re Deemed Relevant to a Benefits Claim

On June 14, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued an information letter stating that ERISA claims procedures require participants to be given any telephone conversation audio recordings which are deemed relevant to their claim for benefits.

Phone Call Recordings May Be Requested by Claimants If They’re Deemed Relevant to a Benefits Claim

“The DOL … concluded that recordings of conversations with participants would not be excluded from any disclosure just because the claims administrator or plan doesn’t include that recording within its own administrative record, doesn’t treat the transcript or recording as a part of the claim’s activity history through which the claim is developed, tracked, and administered or because that transcript or recording was created for quality assurance.”  MORE >>