[Nanc]

So, as many of you already know, I have RSD/CRPS throughout most of my body, including both hands. I stopped working at the end of December 2012 and was denied short-term/long-term disability through my employers insurance carrier. This was an employer paid benefit!! I applied for Social Security Disabillity in April and was approved in about three months, on the first try.

I filed my appeal with the STD/LTD insurance carrier and just received the second denial today, 6 pages of bull. I am soooo angry!!! I just don't get it! Obviously I am in bad shape because SSD approved me right away and I am so thankful for that! My husband told me not to worry about it because it will stress me out and make me hurt worse. He is absolutely correct and we will make it with SSD. I can't help but worry about it because it is a good amount of money that I should be receiving. UGH!

I just had to vent! Thanks for "listening"
Nanc

[LIT LOVE]

Do you have an attorney?

[Nanc]

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE

Do you have an attorney?

No. I had a hard time finding one that handles this type of disability claim. Majority handle SSD and not STD/LTD. I tried to find one the during the 6 months between the first denial and the appeal. One that would take my case, charged $4,000 up front. We would have to pay the fee before he would even look at the any paperwork. Another atty charged $2,000 to just look at the case to determine if he would take it or not, if he took it then his fee was 1/3 of the 6-month benefits. Others I talked to just kept referring me to someone else.

[Jimking]

Originally Posted by Nanc

No. I had a hard time finding one that handles this type of disability claim. Majority handle SSD and not STD/LTD. I tried to find one the during the 6 months between the first denial and the appeal. One that would take my case, charged $4,000 up front. We would have to pay the fee before he would even look at the any paperwork. Another atty charged $2,000 to just look at the case to determine if he would take it or not, if he took it then his fee was 1/3 of the 6-month benefits. Others I talked to just kept referring me to someone else.

I went through the same ordeal. It boils down to deep pockets. Most law offices do not have the resources to go up against these for-profit insurance companies but in your case it is obvious that the insurance company needs their collective *** sued. Im my wife's case she did receive short term disability while only one doctor treated her, but when her short term was up and long term was to kick in, that doctor was removed, replaced with another doctor who stated that she was just fine and dandy. She was terminated from her employment because she was crippled from RSD, relieving the large corporation of any responsibility. She did receive SSDI. We went to two firms who stated that, yes they are pulling a fast one but we would need about $75,000 just for it to see the light of day. One other firm stated that my Wife's employer's attorneys would eat them alive. She worked for the largest defense contractor in the world in their Benefits department. It seems you guys have given a good effort to find a law firm. All I can say is either keep searching for a motivated firm who will sue pro bono or for stress reasons, give it up, which is understandable for sure.

[Nanc]

Originally Posted by Jimking

I went through the same ordeal. It boils down to deep pockets. Most law offices do not have the resources to go up against these for-profit insurance companies but in your case it is obvious that the insurance company needs their collective *** sued. Im my wife's case she did receive short term disability while only one doctor treated her, but when her short term was up and long term was to kick in, that doctor was removed, replaced with another doctor who stated that she was just fine and dandy. She was terminated from her employment because she was crippled from RSD, relieving the large corporation of any responsibility. She did receive SSDI. We went to two firms who stated that, yes they are pulling a fast one but we would need about $75,000 just for it to see the light of day. One other firm stated that my Wife's employer's attorneys would eat them alive. She worked for the largest defense contractor in the world in their Benefits department. It seems you guys have given a good effort to find a law firm. All I can say is either keep searching for a motivated firm who will sue pro bono or for stress reasons, give it up, which is understandable for sure.

Thanks for your reply and input! The odd thing is that they paid for one week of STD...one week?? And they determined this was all I was eligible to receive. I talked to firms all over the place and the only ones that would even think about taking it would charge up front. This is a problem for us because I haven't been paid since I got that check for one week of STD in January. My husband works for the Dept of Defense and has been going thru furloughs, which JUST ended. I am thankful that SSD was approved, especially because we will not have to pay the 10% penalty for taking my 401k money (we put it towards refinacing our house so we could stay here). But I will not begin receiving SSD payments until Oct and there is no backpay.
I had one atty look at my case and he said he couldn't understand their denial and said I should persue the appeal. He couldn't take the case because it is not his area he is actually a litigator on the defense side...his clients are employers and insurance carriers. He referred me to many others, who referred me to many others, and so on. This is how I got to the $4,000 up front guy.
My husband thinks, for stress reasons, we should let it go. I get so stressed out with this whole thing, and well, we know what stress does to someone suffering from RSD/CRPS. In filing another appeal, I am not sure what else could be done...I sent them all the medical records and letters from my primary dr, PM and counselor. They pulled out things from the medical records to help them, not looking at the majority of what most of the records state. I guess that is what they do....I dunno, I hate that they get away with this. And my employer, treated me like total crap at the end. Maybe I should listen to my husband and let it go and close that entire chapter.
Sorry, got to rambling there!
Nanc

[Jimking]

Originally Posted by Nanc

Thanks for your reply and input! The odd thing is that they paid for one week of STD...one week?? And they determined this was all I was eligible to receive. I talked to firms all over the place and the only ones that would even think about taking it would charge up front. This is a problem for us because I haven't been paid since I got that check for one week of STD in January. My husband works for the Dept of Defense and has been going thru furloughs, which JUST ended. I am thankful that SSD was approved, especially because we will not have to pay the 10% penalty for taking my 401k money (we put it towards refinacing our house so we could stay here). But I will not begin receiving SSD payments until Oct and there is no backpay.
I had one atty look at my case and he said he couldn't understand their denial and said I should persue the appeal. He couldn't take the case because it is not his area he is actually a litigator on the defense side...his clients are employers and insurance carriers. He referred me to many others, who referred me to many others, and so on. This is how I got to the $4,000 up front guy.
My husband thinks, for stress reasons, we should let it go. I get so stressed out with this whole thing, and well, we know what stress does to someone suffering from RSD/CRPS. In filing another appeal, I am not sure what else could be done...I sent them all the medical records and letters from my primary dr, PM and counselor. They pulled out things from the medical records to help them, not looking at the majority of what most of the records state. I guess that is what they do....I dunno, I hate that they get away with this. And my employer, treated me like total crap at the end. Maybe I should listen to my husband and let it go and close that entire chapter.
Sorry, got to rambling there!
Nanc

Nanc, all insurance is, is a racket, nothing more nothing less. That is why the delivery of health care can not be carried out by for-profit insurance. As a supplement perhaps. In my wife's case I truly believe her employer and the full time health Insurance executives who reside at their corporate HQ are in business together in some shape or manner. And part of their business together is ridding itself of those who are no good to them any longer. One way they do that is deny care through the insurance company. Making the patient's life miserable and above all making it so complicated in getting treatment. That was my wife's issue that it took too long for doctors to treat and diagnose her. She knew that she had RSD before any doctor would treat her for it. She only received decent treatment when she was terminated and added to my employer's insurance. My Wife's treatment was immediate after her termination. To me it was by design. It took her 3 years after to receive SSDI and did receive back pay. She also was able to use her medicare because it took over 2 years to receive the SSDI.

Nanc, I wonder if there are any class action suits?

[catra121]

I'm sorry Nanc...that really stinks. Why do they make it so hard to get what you are entitled to? Very frustrating. And I swear the insurance companies know how hard it is to get an attorney for this sort of case...giving them more freedom to deny deny deny. So sad.

Take care of yourself. I'm glad at least that SSD went smoothly for you.

[Nanc]

Originally Posted by catra121

I'm sorry Nanc...that really stinks. Why do they make it so hard to get what you are entitled to? Very frustrating. And I swear the insurance companies know how hard it is to get an attorney for this sort of case...giving them more freedom to deny deny deny. So sad.

Take care of yourself. I'm glad at least that SSD went smoothly for you.

Thanks Catra. It is amazing and frustrating how these insurance companies work! So thankful for SSD, expecting my first payment in October

I hope you are doing well!
Nanc

[Vrae]

Originally Posted by Nanc

I filed my appeal with the STD/LTD insurance carrier and just received the second denial today, 6 pages of bull. I am soooo angry!!! I just don't get it! Obviously I am in bad shape because SSD approved me right away and I am so thankful for that! My husband told me not to worry about it because it will stress me out and make me hurt worse. He is absolutely correct and we will make it with SSD. I can't help but worry about it because it is a good amount of money that I should be receiving. UGH!

I just had to vent! Thanks for "listening"
Nanc

AHHHH! This This just #@!^% me off! This is ridiculous!! And precisely what I am sure the insurance company knew would happen when they sold you the policy. What a rip off! Playing on people about what their future needs will be, get the premiums, and then bail when it’s needed. It’s your money and benefit and you should have it! Would it be possible to file a small claims case?

Although your husband might be right that it may only cause more pain and suffering. So sorry to hear about this. I am glad that you got SDD though. I am going to try to fight that fight this fall. Because I have been self-employed for so long and the way my taxes were filed, my claim will be complicated. I pray the SDD Gods will have mercy on me.

[Nanc]

Originally Posted by Vrae

AHHHH! This This just #@!^% me off! This is ridiculous!! And precisely what I am sure the insurance company knew would happen when they sold you the policy. What a rip off! Playing on people about what their future needs will be, get the premiums, and then bail when it’s needed. It’s your money and benefit and you should have it! Would it be possible to file a small claims case?

Although your husband might be right that it may only cause more pain and suffering. So sorry to hear about this. I am glad that you got SDD though. I am going to try to fight that fight this fall. Because I have been self-employed for so long and the way my taxes were filed, my claim will be complicated. I pray the SDD Gods will have mercy on me.

Hi Vrae! Hope you are having a better day today. I would have to file another appeal (or reconsideration), then if it is subject to ERISA I may have some other options like mediation. Then the last thing I could do is file suit against them. It is completely ridiculous!

I wish you much luck with your SSD claim!
Thanks,
Nanc