New York Life

I don’t know if I'm more upset about being denied or being denied without being told

Reviewed by R.T. on August 19th 2015   Verified Policyholder
Diagnosed with breast cancer (stage 3, triple negative) March 2013, I initially went on STD then moved to LTD in September of that same year. In April 2014, I went back to work (where I work as a Physicist) part-time, but I continued having a lot of trouble with neuropathy and side and back pain caused by radiation and surgery. I have attempted to increase my hours, but every increase caused a flare-up of my symptoms. I was told that the definition of my disability would do the dreaded switch from “own” to “any” occupation in September, so I braced myself. I have been aggressive in trying to find pain meds that would help me increase my hours without winding up bed-ridden from pain. (I also have 2 young daughters and am the primary wage earner for my family, so that’s not really an option for me.) I heard nothing about the review, except a few notes here and there that they needed info from one or another of my doctors (I’m under the care of 3 doctors and a physical therapist). On August 18th, I sent an email to my representative and asked if everything was okay with my account. On the 19th, she replied saying that it’s still under medical review. On August 31st, I sent another paystub and asked again if there was any status change on my account. I received no answer, so I tried again on September 4th. I received an email, with an attached letter, stating that my account had been closed as of August 20th. The letter (which I received in the mail a few days after this email communication) is dated August 31st. So I had been working my part-time hours for 2 weeks without knowing I was already turned off. The letter showed a complete misunderstanding about my relevant medical issues. It talked a lot about my neuropathy and never addressed the pain I’m having. Their nurse(s) never examined me, and never even spoke to me. I’m not certain if I’m more upset about being turned off or about being turned off without being told.
Reply
Sent on August 19th 2015 by Attorney Gregory Dell

R.T., unfortunately, you are not alone with how you were treated. Quite often there is no warning at all when someone’s benefit is cut off. Please feel free to contact our office to discuss your rights with respect to appealing New York Life’s denial.