Diabetes Disability Insurance Claim Help and Information
An estimated 24 million children and adults in the United States, and 240 million people worldwide, have diabetes. Most people with diabetes can manage it by taking medication and carefully monitoring what they eat. In some cases, though, diabetes can lead to debilitating illnesses, injuries and disabilities that prevent you from maintaining a consistent work schedule. In most long term disability cases diabetes is associated with additional medical illnesses which prevent a person from being able to work. Our disability insurance lawyers have represented numerous claimants with uncontrolled diabetes. Disability insurance companies are quick to argue that diabetes disability claims should only be short term and not long term disability claims. Another argument is that the claimant has been working with diabetes for years so why now do they claim they cannot work. We help our clients deal with these unreasonable insurance company arguments on a daily basis.
If you suspect that a diabetes complication will prevent you from working a consistent job, or if your provider already denied your individual claim or group policy claim, contact our office. We can help you fill out the application for benefits or appeal a denial.
I Have Diabetes… Do I Qualify for Disability Insurance Benefits?
Diabetes by itself will likely not qualify you for disability benefits unless it is uncontrolled. Your disability company will want to see a lot of evidence that you are incapable of providing a continuous work schedule. If your diabetes progresses to the point where you can no longer perform your job functions or similar job functions, then you will likely qualifying for disability insurance benefits. We will work closely with your doctors to properly documents your claim for benefits.
Contact our disability insurance attorneys to find out how our disability insurance attorneys can help you. We offer free consultations to claimants across the country. Insurance companies have strong legal representation, and we believe that individuals deserve an equally strong voice.
Our Experience with Diabetes Disability Insurance Claim
We have firsthand experience helping diabetes claimants receive the benefits they are entitled to. The following case study explains how we helped a woman with diabetes reverse her provider’s denial and receive past benefits.
Check back on this page for more up-to-date information about diabetes and disability insurance. We frequently add new stories about new regulations or resolved cases that might be relevant to you.
Resources
For more information about diabetes disability insurance, visit the following websites:
- The American Diabetes Association
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive And Kidney Diseases
- Medline Plus (a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health)
- NINDS Diabetic Neuropathy Information
There are numerous charities dedicated to diabetes research, detection and treatment including:
I’m a 37 year old man with Type 1 Diabetes and wanted info on long term disability insurance. I’m in a very labor-intensive job now and it’s hard on my body.
Neil,
Since you already have diabetes, it would be difficult for you to qualify for a private disability insurance policy. You could get long term disability coverage from an employer, but you would need to be working past the elimination period in order to qualify for benefits. Most group disability insurance policies have a 12 month elimination period. After 12 months of continuous employment, then you could be covered if your diabetes ever became disabling.
My husband has been unable to work for nearly 6 months due to complications of his diabetes. Deteriorating muscle tissue. Severe back pain, muscle pain, leg pain. He is unable to stand for more than 5 or 10 minutes. He has been to physical therapy and chiropractor both twice a week for 8 weeks. There has been no improvement. He has a long term disability policy with his employer. He has been collecting short term disability but it is expected to discontinue at 6 months. How does he go about getting his long-term disability benefits from the insurance company? How does he get evaluated for full disability? If you can answer these questions it would be helpful.
Janice,
The first step is to request a copy of the LTD policy from your husband’s employer. The LTD carrier could be different than the STD. If they are different then the steps are different to apply. The application process can be confusing and must be handled strategically. We have several videos on our website about the application process which you may find helpful. If you complete our Free Consultation form, then we will contact you to discuss your husband’s options.
Filed STD, denied stating its a workers comp. workers comp denied stating its a STD and LTD case. Appeal with workers compensation now, have attorney, he is not familiar with STD and LTD. He contacted a attorney friend and stated we are eligible for STD and LTD through CIGNA while workers compensation is being appealed.
Just received letter Nov 27, 2013 stating:
“This letter is regarding your claim for short-term disability benefits under which were covered defines the maximum benefit. “for sickness the date the 26 disability benefit is payable.”
“Since you are approaching the maximum period of time That the short-term disability would have been payable under your policy, your claim is being transitioned for consideration of eligibility for long-term disability”
“Please complete and return the following information”
and there are forms that have to be filled out in packet including employment history daily activities.
STD denied, there is no new medical records. They did not include depression and uncontrolled blood sugar which was in medical records. Now they are sending papers to fill out for LTD. They stated STD denied due to clause in republic service that states if injury at work, claim is denied. But his workers comp has been denied. They stated to file for STD. Our worker compensation attorney is working on the workers comp area and a hearing in February 2014. CIGNA is not seeing 3 MRI reports of severe Degeneration, disc bulges, tears. He lifted something at work on September 4th and felt a pop and has been down since. Seeing pain management and surgeon. Surgeon stated he has a low chance of this being fixed to normal. Dr wrote a letter cannot lift, sit, stand, walk, stoop at all for min of 12 months. Was told we do not qualify for STD and LTD. we have been given run around. We have recording of employer admitting injury, which they denied, we have recording of CIGNA stating this is a work injury due to medical records. But degenerative is a diagnosis? Sorry, he also has severe uncontrolled blood sugar. He gets steroid injections as well which make it even higher. Was hospitalized for pain and uncontrolled blood sugar for three days. The uncontrolled blood sugar was not part of the claim. Has been to hospital three times and admitted. On strong pain meds fentlyn and oxycodone that just take the edge off but still cannot enjoy a quality of life. CIGNA refuses to put anything in writing for us about why they made this decision. He’s never been hurt, never on workers comp and never took pain meds in his life until September 4.
What the heck is going on here, they are pointing fingers at each other and don’t want to take the responsibility of paying anything.
Hi, I am a completely healthy 30 year old female. Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. It is very under control with an insulin pump and daily exercise. I recently applied for short term disability and was denied coverage. I then sent a letter asking to reopen my case. Attached with my letter was a letter from my endocrinologist, employer, and fitness trainer. I again received a letter denying coverage for short term disability. Is there anything I can do? My husband and I are trying to start a family and need the short term disability for when the baby arrives. Can you please assist? Thanks!
Ansley,
Your only option may be to bring a lawsuit. Was your disability based on the Type 1 diabetes or at all related to you trying to have a baby? If it is the latter, that may not be sufficient to support a disability from work.
I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. My job requires me to stand from 747a -530p with two 30 mins break. I have to check my sugar first thing in the morning and two hours after every meal. But the problem is that I am unable to really follow my 1800 cal. diet that I was put on. I’ve been missing meals when I was clearly advised that I suppose to eat. So I let my Dr. know that I was missing meals, and experiencing lightheaded, fatigue, nausea, and blurred vision at work, plus contractions and pelvic pain. So I was put on leave, but I’m getting denied STD cause they say that them symptoms comes with late pregnancy.
Keshia,
Please feel free to contact our office to discuss your claim denial to determine how we may be able to assist you.
I am 24 years old. I have had type 1 diabetes since age 5. It has always been out of control until I found a decent endocrinologist, which was just this past year. I would work a few months here and there but never full time. I twisted my knee at a restaurant I worked for and had to attend physical therapy. I was told my cartilage was wearing away due to stressful activities over time. I have to wear a brace almost all the time. I applied for disability with a lawyer and I was denied. I have 3 children to care for I just can’t get a job that will keep me with my blood sugar dropping all the time or having random highs that gives me splitting headaches. I have constant back pain, knee pain (if I walk to much or sit/stand for too long. I need help applying again but I can’t go through all the work if I have no shot. I already have anxiety and depression that takes over with stressful tasks like this. What do I do?
Katie,
When you say you applied for disability, do you mean private disability coverage or disability through Social Security?
I have 50 percent damage on both my kidneys and I have fatty liver diseases and a uncontrolled diabetics. Will I get paid for my disability insurance cover?
Joyce, there is no way to know your likelihood of receiving a disability insurance benefit without an understanding of your policy language, occupational duties, medical information, and your doctor support. Please feel free to contact our office to discuss further.
My mom has uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure and also a blood clot. I am trying to help file and application for her to start disability benefits. It’s hard for her to stand for a long period.
Patty, which insurance carrier is she filing her claim under?
I’m currently 34 weeks pregnant and was recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 29-30 weeks. I still to date have been unable to control my blood sugars, and have increasing insulin needs ever few days. I was working as an RN in an Neuro ICU until my MD took me off work for inability to control my blood sugar and eat consistently. I have highs and lows that were causing severe daily headaches, dizziness, nausea, and light-headedness. Per my MD he didn’t feel it was safe for my baby, my patients, or myself to continue working. Short term disability has denied my claim even though my OB, perinatalogist, and my endocrinologist all agree that it is an issue of safety. What can I do?
Gina, you will need to file an appeal of the denial. Please feel free to contact our office to discuss the denial and determine what assistance we may be able to provide in appealing same.
I lost my commercial drivers license due to type 2 diabetes. Would I be eligible to file a disability claim?
Robin, if you have a disability insurance policy please feel free to contact our office to discuss your rights under same. If you don’t have a disability insurance policy your only option may be filing for SSDI.