Nervous I will lose my disability payments

tech99

I have Multiple Myeloma and my doctor has disabled me. I am out of work and collecting long-term disability and social security disability. My doctor will probably keep me disabled because of the bone disease associated with the myeloma. I have bone lesions and spinal cord stress fractures.

I'm a little stressed because I don't know how the insurance co. defines my disability and cannot get an answer from the insurance co. When I applied for disability I said I have multiple myeloma along with bone disease created by the cancer. My cancer in the past has stabilized but has always come back.

If my cancer becomes temporarily stable again will the insurance co. stop my disability? Will I still be disabled because of the bone disease? How do
disability insurance co. define a disability no longer a disability?

Has anyone been reviewed by the insurance co. when the cancer has been stable? Did the insurance co. continue the disability payments? Can someone direct me in the right direction?

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 648 Location: UK

Hi, tech - what country are you in? Disability systems vary so much.

brainman

tech99, I am very sorry for about your cancer. You might want to talk with the social security people. You might qualify for Medicare if you are disabled.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

tech99 · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:16 am Post subject: Country

I reside in the United States. I'm collecting social security and told I'm eligible for Medicare in 2years.

My main concern is the disability income ins. I have no experience with insurance companies and I don't feel very secure, it's like diving into a black hole.

brainman

The Social Security Disability income should continue until you are able to get back to work and even after that for 9 months or more. The SS Administration has a little pamphlet with all the details and options available to you.

I am not sure about your long-term disability income because policies vary. However, most of those policies while last as long as your disability lasts... that is, until you are able to get back to work. Is the long-term disability income through your employer or a private insurance policy?

I am sorry to have to say this, but MM is one of those cancers that can make a disability permanent because it weeks the bones so much. Even though it could go into a dormant stage, the damage it causes is irreversible.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

tech99 · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:33 am Post subject: disability

Thank you Jim:
This information is usefull. My disability insurace is through my company.

brainman

OK, if it is through your company, the Human Resources department should have more specific answer to your questions. Just try to contact the right person. If it is a large company, there is probably one or more people and that are responsible for benefits coordination. That is who you should contact.

Hope this helps.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

simplyklb

Contact your company's Human Resources Department. HR should have all the info that you have questions about. That's HR's job.

Kristi
_________________
Dad - Andy, 70, diagnosed with SCLC in May 2008
Mom - Jackie, 67, diagnosed with NSCLC in May 2008

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