Disability insurance companies don’t always make it easy for policyholders who have arthritis to get the disability benefits they deserve.
The Common Reasons Disability Carriers Deny Arthritis Disability Claims
Many claims are denied because the disability insurance company says:
(1) There is no objective basis of the arthritis diagnosis,
(2) There is no objective basis for the restrictions and limitations assigned by your physician, or
(3) There is no causal relationship between your arthritis diagnosis and/or your restrictions and limitations, and your inability to do your own or any occupation.
Nancy Cavey, who has 35 years experience handling disability cases, has successfully represented many policyholders with arthritis. She overcomes a claims denial by working closely with you and your physician.
She offers a free initial consultation and welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your disability claim.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is the catchall name for the more than 100 different diseases that affect the joints. Joint pain and loss of mobility is commonly caused by:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Osteomyelitis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Scleroderma
- Reiter’s Syndrome
What Are The Symptoms of Arthritis?
The hallmark symptom of arthritis is stiffness and painful inflammation of the joints with limited range of motion. The severity of the symptoms varies by disease and from person to person.
How Do I Get The Disability Insurance Benefits I Deserve?
Severe arthritis can interfere not only with your daily activities but with your ability to work. If you no longer can work or your doctor has told you to apply for disability, before you apply for benefits, you should:
- Obtain a copy of your disability policy. See how it defines “disability,” “occupation” and “self-reported conditions.” You’ll need to understand what you have to prove to get your benefits for arthritis and whether your policy includes limitations on coverage.
- Obtain a copy of your medical records. Review them to see if there is an objective basis for your diagnosis, what your records say about your report of symptoms and your restrictions and limitations.
- Obtain a copy of your personnel file to see whether your arthritis has affected your work performance.
- Obtain a copy of your job description. Create your own description of your physical duties with an explanation of how your symptoms impact your ability to do your occupation.
- Provide your doctor with the occupational description. Ask your doctor to prepare a report that explains the objective basis for your diagnosis, the objective basis of your restrictions and limitations, and the objective reasons you can’t perform some or all of the material and substantial duties of your occupation.
- Prepare a pain diary that explains your pain and the side effects of medication you are taking. Be sure to give examples of how your arthritis pain and symptoms interfere with your ability to do things on a daily basis.
- Hire Nancy Cavey to help you file your initial application. The application process is confusing and designed so you and your physician make mistakes that can result in a delay or even a denial of your benefits. Ms. Cavey knows how to prepare and file a winning shock and awe disability application that leaves the carrier little reason to question your claim.
- Hire Nancy Cavey to help you appeal a wrongful denial or termination of your disability benefits. Disability carriers are in the business of collecting premiums and not paying disability benefits for arthritis. They’ll use any reason to deny your claim. The odds of getting your benefits on appeal are greater when you are represented by an experienced ERISA/private ID policy disability attorney.
Contact Disability Attorney Nancy L. Cavey, Who Can Help You Regardless of Where You Live
Arthritis can make it difficult, if not impossible, to work. You owe it to yourself and your family to get help today! Nancy Cavey can review your policy and your medical records, and explain to you what your policy says and how to get your disability benefits. Call today for a free consultation at 727-894-3188.
