I filed for LTD in the beginning of the month, and I just received a letter in the mail that they want to do a pre-existing condition check starting November 2011. They want to know every dr I've seen, every hospital I've ever been to, and every pharmacy I've used between then and December 2012 (they've already got access to the December 2012 data and that won't be considered pre-existing since my policy started November 2012).
Clearly, I've had something going on that's been documented since July 2011. Back then, it was left arm numbness (that had no effect on my working). I did have a c-spine MRI that showed two lesions in October 2011, but that's before their cut off date, so I'm assuming they can't use it against me. I did have a brain MRI from January 2012 that they'll need access to, and I know it states that there are lesions possibly indicative of MS, but I had one done in 2009 that was identical and the neuro back then said they were too small and they were indicative of nothing. Each of the 3 neuros that have seen the 2012 MRI all said that it was nothing as well, so I would think if the insurance company tries to use that against me, it should be easily disputed.
I know my first neuro in 2011 won't have any data that should affect my outcome, but I'm concerned about neuro #2. She didn't take me seriously and did absolutely nothing for me, but even though I thought she didn't listen, she actually did document that I had new symptoms in mid-2012, particularly problematic for my case being left sided weakness. I have no idea what her notes say about it, but she only diagnosed me with transverse myelitis, and that would correlate to my left arm numbness I had with the c-spine MRI to back it up (that started before the pre-existing condition period).
All of the numbness disappeared by the time I saw her for my last visit in August and I had no new symptoms at the time (those didn't come until December). She also did an eye test that was negative and did a walk test each visit that I know was totally normal (and my first visit I wore sandals with a slight heel that I'd never be able to wear today without falling over). She never told me that any part of my exam was ever abnormal.
In all this time, I was never actually treated for anything. The pharmacy check will only reveal birth control pills and a pain pill rx when I sprained my ankle last summer when I stepped in a hole while mowing my lawn (interestingly enough though, it's the left side and that's the side I've had the most problems with, although it's totally unrelated). As for MRI data, all 3 neuros cleared my earlier brain MRI and the next set of tests I had was 12-31-12 that showed actual lesions (only 2 in the brain and both were enhanced by contrast and then the c-spine showed progression but nothing active). Those are current though and won't count against me.
What I'm wondering is, since all tests since 11-2011 were totally negative for MS, does anyone think I actually stand a chance at winning this? After all, the only tests the insurance company has access to that show any indication of MS would be my current MRIs that led to my diagnosis. Plus, I could have passed any neuro exam with flying colors up until 12-2012, when I could barely walk anymore.
Clearly, I've had something going on that's been documented since July 2011. Back then, it was left arm numbness (that had no effect on my working). I did have a c-spine MRI that showed two lesions in October 2011, but that's before their cut off date, so I'm assuming they can't use it against me. I did have a brain MRI from January 2012 that they'll need access to, and I know it states that there are lesions possibly indicative of MS, but I had one done in 2009 that was identical and the neuro back then said they were too small and they were indicative of nothing. Each of the 3 neuros that have seen the 2012 MRI all said that it was nothing as well, so I would think if the insurance company tries to use that against me, it should be easily disputed.
I know my first neuro in 2011 won't have any data that should affect my outcome, but I'm concerned about neuro #2. She didn't take me seriously and did absolutely nothing for me, but even though I thought she didn't listen, she actually did document that I had new symptoms in mid-2012, particularly problematic for my case being left sided weakness. I have no idea what her notes say about it, but she only diagnosed me with transverse myelitis, and that would correlate to my left arm numbness I had with the c-spine MRI to back it up (that started before the pre-existing condition period).
All of the numbness disappeared by the time I saw her for my last visit in August and I had no new symptoms at the time (those didn't come until December). She also did an eye test that was negative and did a walk test each visit that I know was totally normal (and my first visit I wore sandals with a slight heel that I'd never be able to wear today without falling over). She never told me that any part of my exam was ever abnormal.
In all this time, I was never actually treated for anything. The pharmacy check will only reveal birth control pills and a pain pill rx when I sprained my ankle last summer when I stepped in a hole while mowing my lawn (interestingly enough though, it's the left side and that's the side I've had the most problems with, although it's totally unrelated). As for MRI data, all 3 neuros cleared my earlier brain MRI and the next set of tests I had was 12-31-12 that showed actual lesions (only 2 in the brain and both were enhanced by contrast and then the c-spine showed progression but nothing active). Those are current though and won't count against me.
What I'm wondering is, since all tests since 11-2011 were totally negative for MS, does anyone think I actually stand a chance at winning this? After all, the only tests the insurance company has access to that show any indication of MS would be my current MRIs that led to my diagnosis. Plus, I could have passed any neuro exam with flying colors up until 12-2012, when I could barely walk anymore.
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