Disability insurance companies don’t always make it easy for policyholders who have atrial fibrillation to get the disability benefits they deserve.
The Common Reasons Disability Carriers Deny Atrial Fibrillation Disability Claims
Many claims are denied because the disability insurance company says:
(1) There is no objective basis of the atrial fibrillation diagnosis,
(2) There is no objective basis for the restrictions and limitations assigned by your physician, or
(3) There is no causal relationship between your atrial fibrillation diagnosis and/or your restrictions and limitations, and your inability to do your own or any occupation.
Nancy Cavey, who has 35 years experience handling disability cases, has successfully represented many policyholders with atrial fibrillation. She overcomes a claims denial by working closely with you and your physician.
She offers a free initial consultation and welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your disability claim.
What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat, rapid heartbeat or a quivering of the upper chambers of the heart. It affects more than 5.1 million Americans.
Caused by a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system, atrial fibrillation can overwork the heart and result in a stroke.
The body can be starved of oxygen if blood doesn’t move properly from the heart’s upper chamber, the atria, into the ventricles and on to the rest of the body. Blood that remains in the atria can pool, which can create blood clots and result in a stroke.
What Are The Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation can leave you dizzy, faint, light-headed, anxious, breathless, weak and exhausted. Stroke and heart failure also can result in disabling symptoms. The severity of the symptoms varies by disease and from person to person.
How Do I Get The Disability Insurance Benefits I Deserve?
Atrial fibrillation can interfere not only with your daily activities but with your ability to work. If you no longer can work or your doctor has told you to apply for disability before you apply for benefits, you should:
- Obtain a copy of your disability policy. See how it defines “disability,” “occupation” and “self-reported conditions.” You’ll need to understand what you have to prove to get your benefits for atrial fibrillation.
Your policy can include a self-reported limitation. It limits how long you can get benefits that result from self-reported symptoms, including dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, and fatigue. You’ll want to know what’s in your policy before you apply for benefits.
- Obtain a copy of your medical records. Review them to see if there is an objective basis for your diagnosis, what your records say about your report of symptoms and your restrictions and limitations.
- Obtain a copy of your personnel file to see whether your atrial fibrillation has affected your work performance.
- Obtain a copy of your job description. Create your own description of your physical duties with an explanation of how your symptoms impact your ability to do your occupation.
- Provide your doctor with the occupational description. Ask your doctor to prepare a report that explains the objective basis for your diagnosis, the objective basis of your restrictions and limitations, and the objective reasons you can’t perform some or all of the material and substantial duties of your occupation.
- Prepare a diary that explains your symptoms and the side effects of the medication you are taking. Be sure to give examples of how your atrial fibrillation interferes with your ability to do things on a daily basis.
- Hire Nancy Cavey to help you file your initial application. The application process is confusing and designed so you and your physician make mistakes that can result in a delay or even a denial of your benefits. Ms. Cavey knows how to prepare and file a winning shock and awe disability application that leaves the carrier little reason to question your claim.
- Hire Nancy Cavey to help you appeal a wrongful denial or termination of your disability benefits. Disability carriers are in the business of collecting premiums and not paying disability benefits for atrial fibrillation. They’ll use any reason to deny your claim. The odds of getting your benefits on appeal are greater when you are represented by an experienced ERISA/private ID policy disability attorney.
Damian’s Experience
Damian Marks, a firefighter with the Volusia County Fire Services, responded to a call and had elevated blood pressure and an irregular heart rate.
He was taken to the hospital and underwent diagnostic tests that showed Atrial Fibrillation and essential hypertension. He was hospitalized for over a day and half and treated with medication so his heart rate was controlled.
Mr. Marks was then released to return to work without any restrictions and limitations.
He filed a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, which was denied. The judge found that Mr. Marks was not entitled to the presumption that his heart disease was suffered in the line of duty because he wasn’t “actually incapacitated from performing his work activities as a result of the Atrial Fibrillation condition.”
The 1st District Court of Appeals told the judge he was wrong!
Mr. Marks was hospitalized for diagnostic purposes and also because he was in need of treatment.
If, on the other hand, he had only missed work or had been hospitalized merely for diagnostic purposes, Mr. Marks would not have entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
Contact Disability Attorney Nancy L. Cavey, Who Can Help You Regardless of Where You Live
Atrial fibrillation can make it difficult, if not impossible, to work. You owe it to yourself and your family to get help today! Nancy Cavey can review your policy and your medical records, and explain to you what your policy says and how to get your disability benefits. Call today for a free consultation at 727-894-3188.