There comes a time in many Parkinson's disease patients' lives when they ask, Am I disabled? Because PD is a progressive disease, perhaps the more appropriate question is, Am I sufficiently disabled to qualify for disability compensation? This is a tricky question. An insurer or the Social Security Administration can answer it with input from you and physicians.
Because this is usually a new experience for the patient, it is common for patients to understate the level of their disability. Disability applications are often denied because the applicant does not do a good job of making the case that they are indeed sufficiently disabled.
This week I spoke with Alan Checkoway, and reviewed his forthcoming e-book, A Consumer's Disability Insurance Guide. Checkoway worked more than 20 years for a top disability insurer. We asked Checkoway about some of the mistakes people make when filing a claim.
The single biggest mistake people make is not properly preparing. Mr. Checkoway explained any statement you make to the insurer during the application process can be used down the line. It is like being on a witness stand because claimants are often making these statements under oath. A claimant cannot take back a previous statement. A claimant must be prepared to make the correct statements, with no ambiguity, throughout the whole process.
"Another mistake is assuming the attending physician is in it with them," Checkoway said. "Physicians should be attesting to their disability from their occupation."
However, in some instances physician reports measurements, clinical findings and medical facts, but under-report how their findings relate with the patient's work. Patients need to help the physician realize why they are disabled so their physician can make that argument on their behalf. If the physician's findings do not support the disability claim, this gives the physician a chance to discuss it with the patient.
Certainly, there are many other questions and issues to explore. Make sure that your checklist includes questions such as:
- Should I consult an attorney to help me file the claim? (This is a tricky question.)
- If I file a claim with Social Security and my insurance company, how will they coordinate the payments?
- What is my physician's role in filing a disability claim?
- Should I review my medical records after exams related to the claim?
In addition to the resources outlined above, you may find resources at your local library that will help you file disability claims. If you participate in a Parkinson's support group, certainly there are participants who could offer insight from their experiences applying for disability benefits.
"Many claimants are alone, and they do not have to be," Checkoway said."
Certainly there are many resources at your disposal when you are preparing to file a disability claim. If you plan to file a claim on a policy that your employer purchased, the agent who sold the policy can be a valuable ally. He or she may know the paperwork, the claims process, and an avenue of communication with the insurance company. If you are filing a disability claim with Social Security, you can do some homework at the Social Security Administration's Web site.
Finally, we end where we began. Deserving patients are often denied because they fail to make a good case that they are disabled. As Alan Checkoway says, "Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!"
