Do I Qualify For Disability Insurance Benefits If I Have Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer is the fourth most common cancer. 1 in every 114 men and women are at risk of this deadly disease.

Disability insurance companies don’t always make it easy for policyholders who have stomach cancer to get the disability benefits they deserve.

What Are The Signs and Symptoms Of Stomach Cancer?

Early stage stomach cancer rarely causes symptoms; as a result, the diagnosis can be difficult to make.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Indigestion, heartburn, or ulcer-type symptoms,
• Difficulty swallowing,
• Abdominal pain,
• Nausea and vomiting and/or bloating after meals,
• Diarrhea or constipation,
• Loss of appetite,
• Unexplained weight loss,
• Weakness and fatigue, and
• Sense of fullness after eating small amounts of food.

These symptoms can interfere with your ability to work and stay on pace, particularly if you have to use the restroom frequently.

How Disability Carriers View Stomach cancer Claims

Many stomach cancer claims are denied or terminated because the disability insurance company says:

(1) There is no objective basis of the diagnosis,

(2) There is no objective basis for the restrictions and limitations assigned by your physician because of your stomach cancer,

(3) There is no causal relationship between your stomach cancer and/or restrictions and limitations, and your inability to do your own or any occupation,

(4) You are capable of working in a sedentary capacity, and

(5) Accommodations for unscheduled bathroom breaks allow you to work.

Nancy Cavey, who has 35 years experience handling disability cases, has successfully represented many policyholders with stomach cancer. She overcomes a claims denial by working closely with you and your physician. She even obtains an opinion from a vocational expert on how your symptoms limit your ability to perform your own or any occupation.

Nancy Cavey offers a free initial consultation and welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your disability claim.

How Do I Get The Disability Insurance Benefits I Deserve?

Regardless of your diagnosis, stomach cancer 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:

1. 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 and if there are limitations in your coverage.

Some policies consider cancers in remission 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.

2. 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.

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.

3. Obtain a copy of your personnel file to see if your stomach cancer has affected your work performance.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Prepare a diary that explains and gives examples of how your symptoms interfere with your ability to do things on a daily basis and the side effects of your medication.

7. 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.

8. 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. 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

Stomach cancer and its complications 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.