I had another talk with the insurance company. It seems that yes, they do have all the records that I thought they had. The only ones now missing are those from the NIH. My friends at the NIH have done all they can to try to speed up that process, but it’s bureaucratic and there’s a limit to what they can do. We just have to wait.
For those who suggested I take some legal action, I haven’t ruled it out, but it’s hard to appeal a decision that hasn’t even yet been made. I have this horrible gut feeling that the company will deny my claim. They keep mentioning, “If this is not a pre-existing condition……” The fact is they issued the policy. It was an employee benefit. GINA says that they can’t hold my genetic pre-disposition to have these health issues against me, but GINA is a new law, and laws are only useful when you bring a claim to the court system.
I’d rather avoid that whole nasty mess. In the short run, I think I just have to assume I’ll never see a penny from them. Ironic isn’t it? The entire point of having such insurance is to not be at risk of losing what you’ve worked hard to earn – which I have – and to not have to fret in financial stress – as I have. I feel very let down.
On a possibly brighter note, knock on wood, my attorney tells me that social security has made a determination on my claim there. They have indeed found me eligible for benefits. Now, they are trying to determine what they owe me in back benefits. I’d feel much better if I had some documentation of this beyond a phone conversation my attorney had, but it’s hopeful news.
I am hopeful, although not entirely optimistic, that if the Social Security Administration has indeed found me eligible, that they might start to pay me benefits in May – even if the other matter isn’t resolved. After all, I so need the money and it would help a lot. It won’t pay all my expenses, but it would cover my rent and COBRA – the two largest ones.
For those who suggested I take some legal action, I haven’t ruled it out, but it’s hard to appeal a decision that hasn’t even yet been made. I have this horrible gut feeling that the company will deny my claim. They keep mentioning, “If this is not a pre-existing condition……” The fact is they issued the policy. It was an employee benefit. GINA says that they can’t hold my genetic pre-disposition to have these health issues against me, but GINA is a new law, and laws are only useful when you bring a claim to the court system.
I’d rather avoid that whole nasty mess. In the short run, I think I just have to assume I’ll never see a penny from them. Ironic isn’t it? The entire point of having such insurance is to not be at risk of losing what you’ve worked hard to earn – which I have – and to not have to fret in financial stress – as I have. I feel very let down.
On a possibly brighter note, knock on wood, my attorney tells me that social security has made a determination on my claim there. They have indeed found me eligible for benefits. Now, they are trying to determine what they owe me in back benefits. I’d feel much better if I had some documentation of this beyond a phone conversation my attorney had, but it’s hopeful news.
I am hopeful, although not entirely optimistic, that if the Social Security Administration has indeed found me eligible, that they might start to pay me benefits in May – even if the other matter isn’t resolved. After all, I so need the money and it would help a lot. It won’t pay all my expenses, but it would cover my rent and COBRA – the two largest ones.
Comments
Fingers and toes are crossed for you!!