Re: Medical Bills Cause Half of All Bankruptcies
From: Susan (slf4591_at_aol.comnojunk)
Date: 02/04/05
- Next message: Bill: "Re: Depression After Heart Attack"
- Previous message: Mark Filice: "Re: Medical Bills Cause Half of All Bankruptcies"
- In reply to: Mark Filice: "Re: Medical Bills Cause Half of All Bankruptcies"
- Next in thread: Susan: "Re: Medical Bills Cause Half of All Bankruptcies"
- Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ]
Date: Fri, 04 Feb 2005 18:11:30 -0500
x-no-archive: yes
Mark Filice wrote:
> In the US, it is possible for a disabled worker to collect from Social
> Security--a government program. However, it is extremely difficult to qualify
> for. 8 out of 10 applicants for SS disability are initially declined, and only 2
> of the 8 get the benefit on appeal.
This varies, depending on the diagnosis, and the availability or absence
of substantial and/or objective diagnostic evidence. In any case, I've
never known anyone with a good claim not to get their SSDI eventually.
Some have needed assistance from attorneys, some have not. Attorneys
are only paid if you win, and the fee is set by the court, at 25% of
retroactive benefits, typically. I've helped several folks win benefits
at the first or second level, some had to go before an administrative
law judge. Knowing how to document a claim is key.
>
> My policy is from a private insurer--and I have a signed contract with them. I
> have several clients that are on disability and receiving benefits from
> insurance companies. Some were turned down by Social Security as not being
> disabled "enough" for them.
You're probably aware that the largest LTD carriers in the U.S. have
been sued, fined by the gov't, etc. for refusing to pay legitimate
claims? Many folks have had to spend a fortune over years fighting for
the benefits they've paid premiums for. I believe the insurers
eventually had to reimburse them, though.
>
> I have no worries about my private disability policy. It is non-cancelable, and
> guaranteed renewable until I reach age 65. The only reason it can be terminated
> or changed is if I choose to quit paying premiums.
I hope it's one of the few that actually pays without a fight, if you
ever need it.
>
> Most individual policies are written like mine. That is why they are so
> difficult to qualify for.
They're not at all difficult to qualify for, IME, unless you're already ill.
>
> If I become disabled and can qualify for SS disability benefits, so much the
> better. But I'm not counting on it, as I know the odds of getting them are slim.
>
>
> Mark
If you become totally diabled, the chances of not collecting your SSDI
benefits are slim, unless you fail to pursue them to the end. In fact,
many, if not most LTD policies require that you apply for SSDI, and they
offset, or deduct that benefit from what they pay you each month. They
also will pay for your SSDI lawyer, since they have such a big stake in
this offset benefit.
Susan
- Next message: Bill: "Re: Depression After Heart Attack"
- Previous message: Mark Filice: "Re: Medical Bills Cause Half of All Bankruptcies"
- In reply to: Mark Filice: "Re: Medical Bills Cause Half of All Bankruptcies"
- Next in thread: Susan: "Re: Medical Bills Cause Half of All Bankruptcies"
- Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ]
Relevant Pages
|
