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Disability Insurance for Lyme Disease?

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Posted 9/30/2011 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

Has anyone here been successful in getting disability insurance for Lyme disease? Just lost my job today and seeing how my Doc was going to try yo do something with the Family Medical Leave act , I am wondering if disability is a possibility? I live in NH so not sure what the laws are. Thank you for your help.
Posted 9/30/2011 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
If you type in Lyme and disability into the custom search function in the top right hand corner of the forum, it will show some previous threads that go over this.

There are several members who have been able to collect disability insurance, I hope they come along soon!
Posted 9/30/2011 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
THANK YOU!
Posted 10/1/2011 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
It's my understanding SS does not recognize "lyme" as a reason for disability unless they've changed their minds recently. I've been told you have to go with chronic fatigue. I made the mistake some years back of trying to get disability on mercury toxicity. Now knowing what I know about the application process, I would have done it a lot differently.
Posted 10/1/2011 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
My husband just got disability from his job for 4 months for lyme and coinfections. I do think you have to extend the diagnosis to include such things as depression, anxiety, or any others you are suffering from to try and increase the probability. As in any attempt at disability, the more ailments or meds you are taking which limit your abilities will greater enhance the possibility. Have you considered social security disability?
Posted 10/1/2011 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
One thing that I have heard is that if you do want to really look into applying is to consult a lawyer first and make sure you go about it the right way the first time. I can't give you an exact reason for this because my lyme brain isn't working too well lately but if I remember i will be sure to let you know...
Posted 10/2/2011 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
This site has a lot of links to help those wanting to file for disability and for those dealing with insurance co's.
www.drjoneskids.com/

Just click on the tile on the right side of the opening page that says "Disability Assistance".
Posted 10/6/2011 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
I receive disability (SSDI) for Lyme. I believe it was the 3rd reason listed. The first two were neurological/psychological--memory issues or some such. I'm not even sure exactly.

I did have to go for cognitive testing (done by a SSDI psychologist) before getting approved. Since I failed the tests, and also had a poor Spect scan in my file (from my neurologist's) and a diagnosis of encephalopathy, I was approved.

I did go through a lawyer, only because my cognitive deficit was really bad at the time and I couldn't follow instructions to apply on my own. But maybe having a lawyer did help. This lawyer told me that she was getting approvals for fibromyalgia a lot. So if you have that as a symptom, that's another way to go.

Also too, if they fired you because you have Lyme, there's the Americans with Disabilities Act which states that that's illegal (it's a national law).
Posted 10/21/2011 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
You can get Social Security disability benefits if you have lyme disease. This is a long drawn-out procedure and may take over a year to get a haring and then another 3 to 6 months to get a decision.
If you have a private health insurance policy or one from your workplace, remember to keep a diary of your symptoms. This can come in handy. Although lyme disease is an associated disorder of inflammatory arthritis so you may be able to qualify for benefits by documenting the arthritics symptoms associated with lyme disease such as joint pain, swelling, loss of movement, etc. You should make sure your condition is supported not only by a board-certified medical doctor but diagnostic tests that are recognized and appropriate to confirm or support the diagnosis.

Denise Mancini
Disclaimer: I work for AccuQuote and this is my personal opinion.

Post Edited By Moderator (Traveler) : 10/21/2011 2:19:51 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/21/2011 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
I'm still technically employed but am on FMLA leave and receiving disability checks. Applying/qualifying was a very simple process. I'm sure you will qualify if your symptoms are debilitating enough to keep you from performing your job duties. Your doctor will need to send in medical notes/treatment records to back you up.
Posted 10/21/2011 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
HI Denise,
We really appreciate your insight here! Although, we don't allow any advertising, so I had to take your link out. Have you spoken with our Administrator? If you wish to be here to guide us in some way, you will need to get permission from Admin., please. Once you have the Administrators permission, you would be welcome to do as he/she suggests.
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