Disability insurance companies don’t always make it easy for policyholders who have Crohn’s disease to get the disability benefits they deserve.
The Common Reasons Disability Carriers Deny Crohn’s Disease Disability Claims
Unfortunately, many claims are denied because the disability insurance company says:
(1) There is no objective basis of the Crohn’s,
(2) There is no objective basis for the restrictions and limitations assigned by your physician,
(3) There is no causal relationship between your Crohn’s and/or your restrictions and limitations, and your inability to do your own or any occupation,
(4) There is no reason you can’t work because you are taking medication or your symptoms are under temporary control, and
(5) There is no reason you can’t work in a sedentary capacity.
Nancy Cavey, who has 35 years experience handling disability cases, has successfully represented many policyholders with Crohn’s. She overcomes a claims denial by working closely with you and your physician. It is crucial to fully develop the incapacitating symptoms that prevent you from working.
If you are ready to file a disability application for a claim for Crohn’s disease and want to improve your chances of getting benefits, or if your benefits have been denied, it’s time to call Nancy Cavey.
She offers a free initial consultation and welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your disability claim.
What Is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s is an inflammatory bowel disease that can involve different areas of the digestive tract.
The inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract can spread to the layers of the bowel tissue. Complications can be life-threatening.
The disability carrier will accept certain studies as objective basis of the diagnosis, but these studies do not document the severity of your restrictions and limitations. It is key that your symptoms be developed in your medical records, and that your physician comment on how those symptoms cause restrictions and limitations on your ability to work.
What Are The Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s can involve the last part of your small intestine, the ileum, or the large intestine, the colon.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and there may be times you are symptom-free.
Common symptoms can include:
- A change in bowel habits with diarrhea,
- Cramping and loose stools,
- Fever and fatigue,
- Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool,
- Abdominal cramping with severe pain,
- Nausea and vomiting,
- Weakness or fatigue,
- Reduced appetite and weight loss,
- Mouth sores, and
- Pain or drainage near the annus.
It can be difficult to work with these symptoms or the side effects of treatment.
How Do I Get The Disability Insurance Benefits I Deserve?
Crohn’s can make it difficult, if not impossible, to do things around your home and 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 because of Crohn’s.
Your policy can include a self-reported limitation. It limits how long you can get benefits that result from self-reported symptoms, including abdominal pain and cramping, fatigue, and the frequent need to go to the restroom. You’ll want to know what’s in your policy before you apply for benefits.
- 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.
Crohn’s symptoms can mimic other disorders. It is crucial you have lab work results, including protein levels, blood sedimentation rates, body mineral levels, red and white blood cell counts and stool samples. Also include results of barium x-rays of the upper and lower GI tract, colonoscopy and upper endoscopy.
- Obtain a copy of your personnel file to see whether your Crohn’s symptoms have affected your work performance. You may need to use the bathroom frequently, and you may have attendance problems.
- Obtain a copy of your job description. Create your own description of your physical and cognitive 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 diary that explains your symptoms and the side effects of medication you are taking. Be sure to give examples of how your symptoms interfere with your ability to do things on a daily basis.
- Secure a vocational analysis of your occupation. Have the evaluator explain why your symptoms prevent you from performing your own or any occupation.
- 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 Crohn’s. 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
Crohn’s and the side effects of treatment, even when you are in remission, 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.