Guest guest Posted August 25, 2005 Report Share Posted August 25, 2005 , Hi! My husband works for an automotive supplier and saw a co-worker fired for not having all his paperwork in for FLMA (he claims he turned in all the doctor's notes, etc.) I work for a dentist and they are very understanding when I need time off to take my husband in for scopes, etc. Thank you for your concern and prayers! > , > My husband hasn't claimed social security disability for his > problem (his is actually diffuse esophageal spasm, but a pretty severe > case of it). He has, however, filed the Family Leave and Medical Act > (FLMA) because he currently misses an average of a day a week from > work with his symptoms (besides time off for doctor visits, tests, > etc.). The symptoms are very similar to achalasia for him and he > never knows when a bad day is lurking. His " leave " falls under the > intermittant catagory of missing time from work. He still worries > that they could find a way to fire him, even with the documentation of > his illness and treatments (which just adds stress and probably more > symptoms). Also, it's a hassle because EVERY time that he misses a > day because he doesn't feel well, he must have a note from the doctor. > Our local gastro. is very understanding of his problem and has said > " Call any time for a note. I know how bad your symptoms can be and > I'll sign whatever you need. " But, of course when you call the > office, you have to talk to the staff first. First you talk to the > receptionist and then his nurse. Sometimes, the nurse has said " Are > you really that sick that you can't go to work? " He's embarrassed > enough that he has to call, but then they try to make him feel worse! > I think they know him by now (as the pain in the a** patient > probably) and seem to be a little nicer, lately. > I am curious to see if others have filed for disability (and better > yet, if they've been successful). Are you thinking of that > possibility for yourself? Has anyone else out there filed for FMLA? > Take care! > > in Michigan > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2005 Report Share Posted August 25, 2005 Wow! It's terrible that it's such a struggle to get disability benefits! I believe you about insurance companies being in the business of denying claims! My sister-in-law worked for one several years ago and she told me that same thing (the first denial was almost automatic!). I agree with you that having any disease is tough, but having one that no one has heard of is even worse! Whenever we try to explain my husband's disease to people, it's just so hard for them to relate! I've discussed on here before how a few of our friends have almost lectured us about how my husband needs to eat better (some days he just wishes he COULD eat), as if poor diet caused his problems. Sorry to vent, that one is my pet peeve! Hopefully, he won't have to file for disability, but if he does in the future, I'll keep in mind what you've said. Have a great day! in Michigan P.S. to Debbi: Great advice! Faxing may not work as well for us because we don't have a fax machine (gives me an idea for the future, though, after we pay off our Cleveland co-pays). I'm really starting to understand how someone can get fed up with the medical biz. Thanks again for your help! -- In achalasia , " konakid2012 " <kauairoger@y...> wrote: > Hi there and I am a new member of this group. I was reading your > story about your husband and filling for insurance. Well I would > like to share my story with you as to my battles with the insurance > company here in Canada. I will tell you that I have been on long > term disability now for 2 years this month. > > I have had to fight my insurance company tooth and nail every inch > of the way. When I first applied for my insurance benefits, I was > denied. They stated " We are sorry to hear you have a little pain and > discomfort, though we find no cause to accept this claim " . Well > being the sort of person that would not accept this discussion I > went into the appeals stage. I hope the you are ready for a long > haul of paper work, more paper work and questions that would make > you want to kill someone. As you stated that your Dr must be > thinking what a pain in the A--. Well I call that standing up for > myself. For I am the one that suffers with both Achalasia & > Barrett's on a daily basis. I am very lucky, in the fact that I have > good Dr's that understand what I am going through. After 7 months > of reports, phone calls, meetings and a mountain of letters my claim > was accepted. > > Now having gone through this battle I must say that I have learned > a lot about insurance company's in this time. The first thing you > have to know is that they denied 97.5% of all claims that are > submitted to them. They certainly don't like paying out claims. They > are not in the business of doing that. That is right, for that is > what they (the insurance company's) do. The next thing you have to > do is not take no for an answer, and be willing to stand up and > fight. Hopefully you have the energy,money saved and the information > to back up your claim. It is an unwritten rule that unless you > return for at least a 3rd time to these company's, they won't even > consider your claim. What they do, and are famous for is waiting > people out. They know that time is on their side, as well as the > fact that most people will just walk away are not willing to fight. > They don't understand this disease. They claim that their Dr's > examine the files. Well I have to say most of their Dr's are on > contract and most are retired. Having insurance only gives you the > rights to sue your own insurance company. You do always have to > option of dealing with all of this through a lawyer, though the > costs can be very high, and when your not working money is tight for > all of us. > > I hope by sharing my experiences with my insurance company has > given you some insite as to what you will go through. If I can be of > any more help, please feel free to write me. As for anyone else that > needs help in dealing with anything to do with this disease I am > more than willing to assist in any way I can. It is a sad thing > that anyone has to suffer with any disease, let alone the ones like > achalasia that most have never heard of. > > - In achalasia , " let45ride " <brendacoyle@c...> wrote: > > , > > My husband hasn't claimed social security disability for his > > problem (his is actually diffuse esophageal spasm, but a pretty > severe > > case of it). He has, however, filed the Family Leave and Medical > Act > > (FLMA) because he currently misses an average of a day a week from > > work with his symptoms (besides time off for doctor visits, tests, > > etc.). The symptoms are very similar to achalasia for him and he > > never knows when a bad day is lurking. His " leave " falls under the > > intermittant catagory of missing time from work. He still worries > > that they could find a way to fire him, even with the > documentation of > > his illness and treatments (which just adds stress and probably > more > > symptoms). Also, it's a hassle because EVERY time that he misses a > > day because he doesn't feel well, he must have a note from the > doctor. > > Our local gastro. is very understanding of his problem and has > said > > " Call any time for a note. I know how bad your symptoms can be and > > I'll sign whatever you need. " But, of course when you call the > > office, you have to talk to the staff first. First you talk to the > > receptionist and then his nurse. Sometimes, the nurse has > said " Are > > you really that sick that you can't go to work? " He's embarrassed > > enough that he has to call, but then they try to make him feel > worse! > > I think they know him by now (as the pain in the a** patient > > probably) and seem to be a little nicer, lately. > > I am curious to see if others have filed for disability (and > better > > yet, if they've been successful). Are you thinking of that > > possibility for yourself? Has anyone else out there filed for > FMLA? > > Take care! > > > > in Michigan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2005 Report Share Posted August 25, 2005 Hi , does your husband's automotive supplier company have at least 50 people working for it? I know it makes a difference in whether a business is considered a small company (less than 50) for the Family Leave Law. Sounds like that company doesn't have a good tracking system for claims, too. let45ride <brendacoyle@...> wrote: , Hi! My husband works for an automotive supplier and saw a co-workerfired for not having all his paperwork in for FLMA (he claims heturned in all the doctor's notes, etc.) I work for a dentist and theyare very understanding when I need time off to take my husband in forscopes, etc. Thank you for your concern and prayers!> ,> My husband hasn't claimed social security disability for his> problem (his is actually diffuse esophageal spasm, but a pretty severe> case of it). He has, however, filed the Family Leave and Medical Act> (FLMA) because he currently misses an average of a day a week from> work with his symptoms (besides time off for doctor visits, tests,> etc.). The symptoms are very similar to achalasia for him and he> never knows when a bad day is lurking. His "leave" falls under the> intermittant catagory of missing time from work. He still worries> that they could find a way to fire him, even with the documentation of> his illness and treatments (which just adds stress and probably more> symptoms). Also, it's a hassle because EVERY time that he misses a> day because he doesn't feel well, he must have a note from the doctor.> Our local gastro. is very understanding of his problem and has said> "Call any time for a note. I know how bad your symptoms can be and> I'll sign whatever you need." But, of course when you call the> office, you have to talk to the staff first. First you talk to the> receptionist and then his nurse. Sometimes, the nurse has said "Are> you really that sick that you can't go to work?" He's embarrassed> enough that he has to call, but then they try to make him feel worse!> I think they know him by now (as the pain in the a** patient> probably) and seem to be a little nicer, lately. > I am curious to see if others have filed for disability (and better> yet, if they've been successful). Are you thinking of that> possibility for yourself? Has anyone else out there filed for FMLA? > Take care!> > in Michigan > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2005 Report Share Posted August 25, 2005 let45ride wrote: .... Faxing may not work as well for us because we don't have a fax machine ... A computer with a scanner and fax modem makes a good enough fax machine. They don't have to be the latest and greatest. Used should be fine and very inexpensive. You do need some kind of fax software, but that should come with the modem. notan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2005 Report Share Posted August 25, 2005 P.S. to Debbi: Great advice! Faxing may not work as well for us because we don't have a fax machine (gives me an idea for the future, though, after we pay off our Cleveland co-pays). I've seen fax machines as low as $30-$50 in sales flyers. You can also send a fax from your office, if you have one there and you're going to work that day. Or check with neighbors -- you might be surprised to find out who has a fax at home (we even have a dedicated fax line in our home, for days when my husband is working from home). Or the next time your husband is talking to his doctor, check to see if the doc has an email address that he checks every day. (the office staff probably won't give it to you, but the doctor seems like he's very willing to help out with this, so an explanation that you "don't want to bother the office staff" every time you need a note might be a good way to go about asking for his email address.) Debbi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Misty - if you mean Social Security Disability, yes, it is on the list. That doesn't necessarily mean you will be approved, though. You can have PA and not be so disabled that you can't work. But it is recognized as a disease that can cause disability making it impossible for a person to work. regards, sherry z > > Hi Everyone, > > I hope you are all doing good, feeling rested, and no pain! > > I have a question about disability. I live in Texas, have recently filed for my disability, is PA a listed reason to qualify for Disability?? I'm so worried! > > Thank you for any help you can provide. > > *soft hugs* > Misty > > > > --------------------------------- > Bored stiff? Loosen up... > Download and play hundreds of games for free on Games. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Misty - if you mean Social Security Disability, yes, it is on the list. That doesn't necessarily mean you will be approved, though. You can have PA and not be so disabled that you can't work. But it is recognized as a disease that can cause disability making it impossible for a person to work. regards, sherry z > > Hi Everyone, > > I hope you are all doing good, feeling rested, and no pain! > > I have a question about disability. I live in Texas, have recently filed for my disability, is PA a listed reason to qualify for Disability?? I'm so worried! > > Thank you for any help you can provide. > > *soft hugs* > Misty > > > > --------------------------------- > Bored stiff? Loosen up... > Download and play hundreds of games for free on Games. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Hi Sherry, Thank you for your help. I lost my job of 11 years because of PA and Fibromyalgia. There is absolutely no way I can go back to work. I hardly ever took sick days BEFORE I got this disease, but after oh my gosh, there were so many I had to be put on FMLA, used all those days, then was fired when I took two more. 11 years is a long time to have a job and lose it. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers with the disability. My attorney told me he knew Rheumatoid had a listing in disability, but he wasn't sure about PA. Thank you for your help. *hugs* Misty " S. Zorzi " <szorzi_1999@...> wrote: Misty - if you mean Social Security Disability, yes, it is on the list. That doesn't necessarily mean you will be approved, though. You can have PA and not be so disabled that you can't work. But it is recognized as a disease that can cause disability making it impossible for a person to work. regards, sherry z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 greetings, yes it can de diabling..if people with p.a. make a diary every and when the time comes, make a copy of it and take the copy with you....and you will be approved the first time around....blessed be ....bob " S. Zorzi " <szorzi_1999@...> wrote: Misty - if you mean Social Security Disability, yes, it is on the list. That doesn't necessarily mean you will be approved, though. You can have PA and not be so disabled that you can't work. But it is recognized as a disease that can cause disability making it impossible for a person to work. regards, sherry z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 22, 2007 Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 As far as I know it is... Sometimes it makes it where you cant work... Put in your papers and tell them what all is going on with you and how you feel... Love and peace always, Shaun and Barb... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I applied for disability due to my RA. I just got a letter that they want me to see a doctor at their expense. I noticed it is a Psychiatrist. Why would they send me there instead of a Rheumy? Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen... ~~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.