Patients with lymphoma may be unable to work because of their disease and its related complications. If so, they may qualify for long-term disability (LTD) benefits. The insurance company will review their claim to see if they qualify under the conditions of that plan.
What Is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma has two forms: Hodgkin lymphoma (Hodgkin’s Disease) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma (Hodgkin’s Disease) is a type of cancer of the lymphatic system. Hodgkin’s disease is usually first detected by a swollen lymph node. Blood tests and a biopsy can confirm the disease. Treatment is usually chemotherapy and/or radiation. The vast majority of people have some form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. There are many forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, including B-cell, T-cell, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
Symptoms of Lymphoma
Symptoms of both Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:
- Swollen lymph node(s)
- Abdominal swelling
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fatigue and
- Weight loss
Treatment Options
Lymphoma has several treatment options:
- Active monitoring: Sometimes, your doctor will advise monitoring the growth if it is very slow. Periodic lab work is standard to check the progression.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams to dissolve cancerous cells. Sometimes, radiation can be used instead of complete rounds of chemotherapy.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a standard treatment for most cancers. It involves administering drugs through an IV to destroy the fast-growing cancer cells. Radiation therapy is often used to supplement chemotherapy to make sure the disease has been killed.
- Immunotherapy: Some drugs help strengthen the immune system to help fight off cancerous cells.
Long-Term Disability Claims for Lymphoma
Lymphoma treatments can last for months or even years, depending on the severity of the disease that is causing the patient to be unable to work. For this reason, you may be entitled to long-term disability benefits.
Proof of Lymphoma
Providing evidence to support your disability is the cornerstone of your claim. Your complete medical file, including but not limited to test results, lab work results, x-rays, and doctors’ notes, is needed to file a successful claim. Having your doctor complete a residual functional capacity form that outlines precisely what job tasks you can and cannot perform will also help your case. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can create extreme fatigue, limiting the number of hours you can work each week. Surgical procedures can also cause you to miss work for recovery only to return to light duty with restrictions. The RFC form will outline everything the doctor feels is safe to do without injuring yourself.
Doctors and the Social Security Administration consider lymphoma a serious illness. If you do receive long-term disability benefits, your insurance agency may require you to continue to apply for social security benefits. This is a way for the insurance company to offset the payments they make to you. Read your entire policy. If required, you must comply or risk your LTD benefits being terminated.
Appealing a Long-Term Disability Claim Denial
If you have already received a letter of denial, contacting an LTD attorney who can help you navigate the appeal process with the insurance company would be beneficial. An experienced LTD attorney can help you gather all the documents you need to create a complete administrative file. They can also help you stay on track with your timeline. Most cases have a deadline for appeals.
While the process can be daunting, your experienced disability attorney will be able to guide you through the process. They do not get paid until you win your case. You can seek help without worrying about upfront costs or unexpected bills.
Although based in Florida, the Ortiz Law Firm represents claimants across the United States. If you’d like to speak to a Pensacola long-term disability insurance attorney about your denied claim, contact us at (888) 321-8131 to schedule a consultation. We can help you evaluate your claim and determine how to proceed with obtaining your long-term disability benefits.
