Disability insurance companies don’t always make it easy for policyholders who have prostate cancer to get the disability benefits they deserve.
1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer; more than 220,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. It is typically slow growing and, unfortunately, in the early stages, there are no symptoms. That is why annual prostate cancer screening is crucial.
Cancer can be aggressive when it spreads and reach the bones, lymph nodes, lungs and other tissue.
Symptoms can include:
The symptoms and progression vary from person to person, which disability carriers often fail to take consideration. These symptoms are similar to prostatitis, erectile dysfunction or an overactive bladder.
Disability carriers are notorious for denying and terminating many claims.
Carriers frequently say:
Many disability claims are denied. Other reasons carriers deny claims:
(1) There is no objective basis of the diagnosis, particularly in the early stages,
(2) There is no objective basis for the restrictions and limitations assigned by your physician because of your prostate cancer,
(3) There is no causal relationship between your prostate cancer and the side effects of treatment and/or your restrictions and limitations, and your inability to perform your own or any occupation.
Nancy Cavey, who has 35 years experience handling disability cases, understands these objections and works closely with you and your physician to overcome a claims denial. If necessary, Ms. Cavey will help arrange for you to have a Functional Capacity Evaluation and a Vocational Evaluation. With her clients she has seen first-hand the devastating effects of prostate cancer; she understands what it takes to get the benefits you deserve.
Nancy Cavey offers a free initial consultation and welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your disability claim.
What Should Be In Your Medical Records
It is important that your medical records document your symptoms and how those symptoms impact your ability to function.
This is particularly true because you probably have been working with difficulty but now find it hard to continue. The disability carrier will want to know what has changed and what caused you to file for disability.
Your symptoms may progress slowly but it is important to chart that progression and how your symptoms impact your ability to function. The progression must be documented in your medical records.
Keep a diary that notes how you feel, the nature of your symptoms and how the symptoms impacted your ability to function. Make sure your entries are consistent with the policy definition of disability and occupation.
Your policy may define your occupation not by how you perform it for your employer but by how it is performed in the national economy. However your occupation is defined, make sure your diary entries give concrete examples of how your symptoms impact your ability to do the required material and substantial duties.
Make sure that your physician has an accurate description of the physical and cognitive requirements of your occupation so he or she can accurately comment on your abilities to perform those duties.
Be sure to give your physician a copy of the diary with the entries between each visit. This diary can show the progression and impact of your symptoms.
How Do I Get The Disability Insurance Benefits I Deserve?
Advanced cases of prostate cancer and cancer that has spread can interfere with your daily activities and your ability to work. If you no longer can work or your doctor has told you to apply for disability benefits, you should take steps before you apply:
Some policies consider prostate cancer without objective findings to be a subjective condition and limit benefits to just two years. Before you apply for benefits, discover your policy’s applicable limits.
Your physician might have noted that you were feeling better or had fewer problems functioning. These entries must be addressed before your application is filed or during the appeal process if your claim has been denied.
One of the most common reasons given for a claims denial is that there is “no objective evidence to support your subjective complaints of pain.’’ The carrier often makes a leap of logic and says the policyholder either is exaggerating or faking their pain. Nancy Cavey knows what proof is necessary to meet the policy definition of disability.
Ms. Cavey also will make sure that your physician correctly completes the Attending Physician Statement forms. 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.
Contact Disability Attorney Nancy L. Cavey, Who Can Help You Regardless of Where You Live
Advanced cases of prostate cancer or cancer that has spread to the bones, lymph nodes and lungs 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.
