Claimant says: "I have been on Short term, then long term disability. Initially due to breast cancer and treatment. Advocate required me to apply for Social Security Disability,as well.By this time, disability was approved on basis of Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. (approved as of July 2007). In Nov.2010, there was a conflict with my rheumatologist (Dr. Frank) not filling out Advocate's disability paperwork. (He has never filled out this paperwork as he believes that due to the fluctuating nature of these diseases, he is unable to a”
...Show more »
Claimant says: "I have been on Short term, then long term disability. Initially due to breast cancer and treatment. Advocate required me to apply for Social Security Disability,as well.By this time, disability was approved on basis of Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. (approved as of July 2007). In Nov.2010, there was a conflict with my rheumatologist (Dr. Frank) not filling out Advocate's disability paperwork. (He has never filled out this paperwork as he believes that due to the fluctuating nature of these diseases, he is unable to assess my (or any other patient's) daily functioning. My case manager, at Advocate Disability Council, required that I see a Physiatrist. Which I did. He filled out the required paperwork and it was faxed to Advocate Disability Council. On 2 places on the form, he wrote that I was unable to work. On one place, he wrote unable to do her work. I was denied any further benefits, due to that statement. I talked to the manager at Advocate Disability, Karen Schmidt, about this. She stated that I am able to do other kinds of Nursing, based on his assessment. I explained to her that due to the pain,deterioration of my joints, and fatigue I don't agree with her and that was the impression that Dr. Shankara (Physiatrist) left me with, as well. She has now required me to have another Physical Therapy Evaluation. (Which I have scheduled. However, I was informed that this will be a 4 - 5 hr. evaluation.) I will follow through, as required, but don't think I'll be able to complete this evaluation, as I'm not able to function for that period of time, without extended breaks. This is causing me undue stress and I feel that it is NOT necessary, as they have a completed evaluation by a Physiatrist, as required.(At one point, after the evaluation by the Physiatrist, my case manager asked me to get a work release from the Plastic Surgeon who did my reconstruction surgery after mastectomy 4 yrs. ago. I felt this was totally irrelevant as did the Doctor's PA, who I talked to.) I feel that the Disability Council is trying to get out of paying me, even though I am considered disabled by Social Security, and have a Permanent Handicapped Driver's Sticker. This has caused me undue stress since Nov.2010, I have been unable to pay all my bills, therefore using Credit Cards for necessities. As a result, my credit rating has been lowered, and available credit greatly decreased.*” ...Show less »