Fibro sufferer jilted by insurance
Donation protected
I have fibromyalgia (fibro). I was diagnosed 8 years ago. Fibro causes all over body pain, sever fatigue, and brain fog, and dozens more symptoms. I am constantly in pain, but there are bearable days and then there are flares. Flares are when the pain, fatigue, and other symptoms are excruciating. I am currently experiencing the worst flare I have ever had which has caused me to be out-of-work since May 8, 2018. I did not plan for this long time out of work and was not financially prepared, but I did think my medical coverage would help me if something like this happened.
I am employed by a large corporation that does offer a Short-term/Long-term Disability benefit through the insurance company. I filed a claim and was approved for unpaid leave, but denied Short Term disability which would have paid me a 70%-100% of my salary while out.
I live alone; I don't have family in the area. The insurance company used that against me and stated that "I live independently" as to say that I'm not disabled during this time. I have been able to get by using delivery services for food on my bad days and run errands on my good days. Occasionally a friend will take me to the store or out to eat.
Unfortunately, I have exhausted my savings, I have borrowed from family, and now I'm at rock bottom. My health insurance has lapsed, I am unable to keep up with my treatment, and I have no way to pay bills nor my family back. Which is why I am now asking for your help. Having some financial assist will help with the stress and depression that I am feeling.
Fibromyalgia flares can be triggered by several things including, but not limited to; weather changes, physical exertion, trauma, and stress. I truly believe my flare would have ended a month ago if not for the stress the insurance company has caused. If I didn't believe it before, I believe it now that insurance is not for the benefit of the claimant. During the whole process of filing, there were documents "never received" but they were sent which is why the original filing was denied. I filed an appeal, but the insurer asked for my rheumatoligist to include tests for fibromyalgia; however, they couldn't name the specific tests because none actually exist. My rheumatologist does not understand why I was denied. He doesn't know what they wanted.
Because of this insurance companies denial, I decided to take civil action. I spoke to a lawyer who said that since the appeal had been denied, there isn't anything we can do. Because the law sides with the insurance company, we can't submit "new evidence" proving my condition nor to prove the run-around regarding paperwork.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Those who me know very little about my situation or health because I'm not the type to talk about it. I know there are so many people who are worse off than I am. At this point I had to swallow my pride because not only am I in a financial bind, so is the family member that I borrowed from. I'm taking steps to get back to work. I have been consulting with a holistic practitioner who is advising me free of charge.
Feel free to ask me questions about my situation or about fibromyalgia.
Any bit a financial assistance you can provide is appreciated, but if you can't give financially please share and say a prayer for me. God bless.
More about my experience with fibromyalgia: There is no known cause but one theory is that it comes after a traumatic event. From 2006-2009, I had 3 events and my symptoms began around then. Fibromyalgia causes me to cancel plans with friends or keeps me from committing to any plans because I cannot predict the level of pain or exhaustion I will have. Imagine not wanting to shower because you know that you'll feel like you did a 4 hour workout after or imagine a walk to the garbage bin feeling like a marathon. The brain fog is especially frustrating and embarrassing for me: stumbling over words, forgetting words, slurring words, forgetting things at work that I was an expert in the day before. It has taken me days to type this campaign and correct the the typos.
Note: I contacted my. company's HR during this process as well. They stated they can only make sure the insurance company follows procedure but can't get involved with the medical aspect.
I am employed by a large corporation that does offer a Short-term/Long-term Disability benefit through the insurance company. I filed a claim and was approved for unpaid leave, but denied Short Term disability which would have paid me a 70%-100% of my salary while out.
I live alone; I don't have family in the area. The insurance company used that against me and stated that "I live independently" as to say that I'm not disabled during this time. I have been able to get by using delivery services for food on my bad days and run errands on my good days. Occasionally a friend will take me to the store or out to eat.
Unfortunately, I have exhausted my savings, I have borrowed from family, and now I'm at rock bottom. My health insurance has lapsed, I am unable to keep up with my treatment, and I have no way to pay bills nor my family back. Which is why I am now asking for your help. Having some financial assist will help with the stress and depression that I am feeling.
Fibromyalgia flares can be triggered by several things including, but not limited to; weather changes, physical exertion, trauma, and stress. I truly believe my flare would have ended a month ago if not for the stress the insurance company has caused. If I didn't believe it before, I believe it now that insurance is not for the benefit of the claimant. During the whole process of filing, there were documents "never received" but they were sent which is why the original filing was denied. I filed an appeal, but the insurer asked for my rheumatoligist to include tests for fibromyalgia; however, they couldn't name the specific tests because none actually exist. My rheumatologist does not understand why I was denied. He doesn't know what they wanted.
Because of this insurance companies denial, I decided to take civil action. I spoke to a lawyer who said that since the appeal had been denied, there isn't anything we can do. Because the law sides with the insurance company, we can't submit "new evidence" proving my condition nor to prove the run-around regarding paperwork.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Those who me know very little about my situation or health because I'm not the type to talk about it. I know there are so many people who are worse off than I am. At this point I had to swallow my pride because not only am I in a financial bind, so is the family member that I borrowed from. I'm taking steps to get back to work. I have been consulting with a holistic practitioner who is advising me free of charge.
Feel free to ask me questions about my situation or about fibromyalgia.
Any bit a financial assistance you can provide is appreciated, but if you can't give financially please share and say a prayer for me. God bless.
More about my experience with fibromyalgia: There is no known cause but one theory is that it comes after a traumatic event. From 2006-2009, I had 3 events and my symptoms began around then. Fibromyalgia causes me to cancel plans with friends or keeps me from committing to any plans because I cannot predict the level of pain or exhaustion I will have. Imagine not wanting to shower because you know that you'll feel like you did a 4 hour workout after or imagine a walk to the garbage bin feeling like a marathon. The brain fog is especially frustrating and embarrassing for me: stumbling over words, forgetting words, slurring words, forgetting things at work that I was an expert in the day before. It has taken me days to type this campaign and correct the the typos.
Note: I contacted my. company's HR during this process as well. They stated they can only make sure the insurance company follows procedure but can't get involved with the medical aspect.
Organiser
Antonia Cherry
Organiser
Jacksonville, FL
