Migraine

I have hartford insurance - filed in July 2006 -
had to wait 6 months for it to kick in. Was rejected because they couldn't read the one doctors notes. Now i'm in the appeal process. The company says it's only looking at my claim from July 2006 to present instead of looking at my history since the year 2000 (which I sent to them)

Anyone have any experience or suggestions?

This really sucks - getting migraines daily - doctors out of suggestions for new meds - and hard to find the energy and brain strength to go through this.

Thanks

Lizzardo,

So sorry to hear you are having such a hard time getting insurance. I have had to fight insurance to get them to cover certain things but for initial coverage. The only advice I have for you would be keep fighting. Fighting insurance companies can be quite a daunting task, but don't give up.

Good Luck with your appeal
Shortone

Thanks for the support I really need it now!

I wish very much that I had suggestions. I think bouncing you just because they can't read a doctor's notes, which isn't at all your fault, is incredibly wrong.

I have A LOT of experience in this area, unfortunately. My best advice is to find a lawyer who knows ERISA law REALLY well.

Are you an expensive LTD case? I was. They paid me for two years, then arbitrarily cut me off. They said I was suddenly fine, and could go back to my old job (even tho' my docs were supporting me just the same, and my symptoms hadn't changed).

I have since learned A LOT about these LTD policies. They will frequently NOT pay out, or do their best to avoid paying, just to see if you will leave them alone. How else will they make money?!?! After all, they have shareholders to report to.

If you are an expensive case, as mine is, they are highly likely to try NOT to pay you. The attorney I hired has told me they would have denied me no matter WHAT my medical evidence was. He said we will be going to court. Period. End of story.

Hate to scare you with this possiblity, but it is possible. You need to be careful, as you only have a limited number of appeals and time before they are legally allowed to cut you off, and there are no further actions you are able to take.

FIND A LAWYER who will do a free first consult, or at least review your case and provide you with some advice. NOTE: the lawyers who specialize in this stuff are VERY different than the social security lawyers. This is a completely different (and strange) area of the law. There aren't a lot of these types of lawyers out there.

Post again if I can be of further assistance, as I've been in this scary situation myself. Fortuantely, my family has been able to support me through this, or I'd be in a homeless shelter without any meds.

Insurance companies stink.

I also filed an insurance claim. All my paper work was approved but now for the total disability they want a letter from me every year for the rest of my life. Has anyone heard of this?

A letter only once a year? If anything, I'm surprised that's all they are asking.

With my LTD, at the end of each year, they not only asked for documentation for doctors, but they also sent MONSTROUS forms for both the doctors and me to fill out. If all they ask is a letter, you are lucky.

Be careful - - don't take this letter lightly. This is your annual "proof" that you aren't trying to cheat them as a malingerer. Be sure you document your inability to work, your functional capacity (or lack of), etc...

And, as was with my claim, don't be surprised if one day they decide to stir up some trouble. I've learned that many insurance companies don't want to pay us sick people. They just want to make us sicker.