Muppet, I think we have the same neurologist. Lol mine never really seems to hear me, only wants increase meds that have not been working for months. When I have asked about IVIG therapy, he says to give pain management a chance to kick in before we start… ?? I just don’t get it.
And thank you for the great info. Bleeter. I had discussed taking medical retirement with my supervisor about 3months after I was diagnosed last year. I work for the state of Texas and if you have 10 years in, you become vested for medical. I am 7 1/2 in. If things don’t turn around soon, I don’t know how I will make it. My supervisor retired 2 months ago and her parting words to me were ;" I am gonna leave while I can still enjoy living." I always felt like she was pointing that comment at me. But resting at home won’t pay the bills or buy my medications…so we do what we have to do. I am going to ride the train as loooong as I can!!
Since I posted the question I applied for LTD which I purchased thru my employer years ago. It was approved a few weeks ago. Of course, their attorneys are taking it to SS to dump the liability onto SS as soon as possible. They claim to have an 85% success rate of converting from their policy to SS and they do not charge me for their attorney fees, so if I win, I get to keep 100% of back pay and they say most policy holders never have to go to court. I'm skeptical; but at least approved by my purchased LTD policy. just thought you would like an update.
To Former Pilot; Are the going to pay you benefits from through your employer along with SS? The converting terminology is confusing. I retired medically and receive pension from employer while maintain my life insurance vision and dental, did not opt into the health as I already had that from my retirement from Navy.
My SS is a separate monster from my medical retirement, with the exception that it reduced the monthly payment of my employment pension slightly.
Medicare kicks in August this year and will supplement my existing insurance.
I would just make sure of the language and that you are not actually losing any money in the long run.
Always watch your back and because no one else will. They are always looking out for the bottom line.
I just happened to have a supervisor who actually cared enough to see that the system did not grind me up and spit me out.
Hey Pilot, I was approved for LTD from my work also. I was supposed to get 66% of my paycheck from them as long as I was disabled untill I turn 66. I was 55 at the time and am 60 now. One of their requirements was that I had to also apply for SS, which I did. To be honest, I do believe if you are approved for private disability thru work, the SS takes that into consideration when they make their decision. Pretty sure they don't want to fight your disability insurers attys. I was approved by SS right away without a medical by their doctors or any other information. The check I received from them was not equal to 66% of what I had made prior to disability, sooooo...now I actually get 2 checks every month. The SS check and then another check from my disability company that pays me the remainder so that I still recieve 66% of what I had made before. Which is about equal to what I was taking home before, as taxes were taken out of paycheck, but not disability check. I will get these checks from the disability company till I am 66, as long as I provide them with a medical every year from my doctor indicating I am still disabled.
One other good thing too, I am told that my disability checks thru work ARE NOT taxable income, as I paid the premium myself. Had your employer paid for it, then it would be taxable. This might be helpful if you are a homeowner, under regular retirement age, in your State as far as Homestead Exemptions go.
I hope this all works out for you. Last thing you need to do is worry about the bills.
Former Pilot - cheer up don't worry yet- i was diagnosed by in 9/2011 - I tried to get up one Saturday morning and could not get off the couch let alone walk - scary!! I have was not able to walk for 9mos plus issues with my fingers feet etc. The pain is unbelievable at times but we deal. As far as disability if you have filed for SSDI (US) then do it before your LTD Policy runs out. Hopefully between your short term & long term policy's you will be over the age of 50 (I understand that it maybe a little easier to get Soc Sec Disability benefits approved after the age of 50) at least this is the rumor. I did file for SSDI in Aug 2012 and rec'd a denial from Soc Sec in May 2013 - then filed an appeal in June 2013, hired an attorney in Jul 2013 and am hoping that they now have enough documentation from my neurologist (at least 3 letters/forms requesting additional information). Hey if you are not happy with your current neuro - you need to have the neuro on your side willing to help you. I am sure that there are others out there in your insurance network. Should you lose your medical insurance they should have to offer you cobra or there is Obama care - also there is a company called Patient Services Inc (https://www.patientservicesinc.org) - they have programs that you can apply for to help with cobra premiums (you need to be on a certain type of IVIG medication but it is an option) Also you would need to check them out because sometimes this program is at 100% and then you have to keep checking to see if they are taking new applications, This program has help me out a lot in the last 9 mons, Ever need to talk my email is ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ as this is not an easy illness