Lincoln Financial

I need help in appealing my claim with Lincoln Financial.

Reviewed by T. Smith on September 9th 2015   Verified Policyholder
I have been out on Diability since May 2014 to date, I went out with stomach cramping and voice issues. I have been diagnosed with Gasteoparesis and I have a paralyzed right vocal cord from a Thyroid surgery. I also have Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, IBS, and Gastrointestinal issues. I started out at NC Baptist Hospital, had a lot of test done, which name the Gastrointestinal issues. Also had biofeedback therapy, did not get any relief, still would take me 3 to 5 weeks to have a bowel movement. I was the referred to a doctor at UNC Hosp. that does not take insurance, I explained this was not doable. Then I was referred to a surgeon at Baptist to do exploratory surgery. The surgeon came in and stated he would have to put my body through alot, at that time, I have already had 13 surgeries, I did not want to be cut for no reason. While going through this I stayed Dehydrated. My primary Care doctor was giving me IVS for the dehydration and trying a solution to help move my bowels. It would help, but not give me the relief I needed. I would pass a pellet or two, then more cramping. Then I was sent to another doctor at UNC HOSP, that accepted insurance. .A dysfunctional GI doctor, he went over the records and did an exam and told me the obvious with one more issue. Gasteoparesis, Pelvic floor dysfunction and Fibromyalgia and Autoimmue issues. Throughout all the testing I had bodyaches, hands cramping, migraines, testing showed I had inflammation in my body, test came back inconclusive, not negative or positive . Then I were sent to a Rheumatalogist, who said I had inflammation in my hand, some of the test taken there showed inconclusive. At this point I started falling for no reason , My voice was getting worse, 2010 I had two surgeries at Duke Hospital to help maintain my voice from the paralyzed right vocal cord. The surgery was not a guarantee, I then was a trainer at work, I had to stop and go to being on the phone, which I had to take many days off due to vocal cord issues. Back to my stomach cramps, body ache, and falling. I ask had to see a therapist, who ruled I had anxiety and depression. Due to me falling, I was sent to an orthopedic, I had a pain go from my neck thru my back down to my right knee and I would fall, the Orthopedic put me through physical therapy and also cortisone in the knee no help. By this time my right hand would cramp up and it takes awhile to open. Due to so many issues, I started to take one issue at a time, also due to cost and all the meds I am on. At this time, I were told by Lincoln Financial to apply for Disability, and two weeks later Lincoln Financial called and told me my funds would end. I were devastated. And it did. Still going through IV therapy and physical therapy. Still having the same pains. PT was not helping was sent to have an MRI, found my right knee Menicus were torn due to falling, also had an appointment with a Neuro-Surgeon due to the pain in my neck and back and migraines were coming more frequently, in the past, I have had two herniated disk surgeries and 4 rotator cuff surgeries on my right arm. I had knee surgery on August 13, 2015, fixed the meniscus tare and found osteoarthritis. Neuro-Surgeon found I have a degenerative spine. After surgery I appealed Lincoln Financial termination waiting on an answer. Also before surgery I had to go to Rehabilitation Center at Moses Cone Hospitals and outside opinion to see if I were able to return to work, I had to do alot of task that I would do on my job and was time, and they deemed I was not due to pain level and issues that I had. The Neuro-Surgeon referred me to a Pain Mgmt doctor which I will see today, September 10th, 2015 and the Neuro-Surgeon tomorrow. Since surgery I have fell again, back to the Orthopedic next week. If I am denied through Lincoln after the appeal do I have a case? Still treating the Gastrointestinal, Fibromyalgia and currently in PT.
Reply
Sent on September 9th 2015 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

T. Smith, if you are denied by Lincoln I would strongly suggest you contact our office to discuss assistance in filing the appeal as Liberty only provides one level of administrative appeal before lawsuit- so you only get one opportunity to get it right.