Chronic Health Conditions: Your Rights to Long Term Disability Benefits

Chronic health conditions impact people of all ages. They often require ongoing medical attention and can cause periodic flare-ups that make performing even the simplest of tasks extremely difficult. Unfortunately, these conditions tend to get worse over the years and may eventually result in long term disabilities that prevent you from working. If you or someone you love suffers from a chronic health condition, find out the steps you can take now to protect your health and your rights in a long term disability claim. 

Chronic Conditions That Can Lead to Long Term Disabilities

A chronic medical condition or disease is generally defined as any type of health problem that persists for a year or longer. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 60% of adults have at least one chronic health condition they suffer from and 10% have two or more. Among the most common and potentially debilitating include: 

• Arthritis;
• Cancer;
• Diabetes
• Heart disease;
• Kidney disease;
• Lung diseases, such as asthma or COPD;
• Memory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease; and
• Stroke. 

These are just some of the many chronic health conditions that can end up resulting in long term disabilities. To reduce your risks, the CDC recommends attending regular doctor visits, following doctor’s orders regarding treatment and medications, and making lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise, quitting smoking, eating healthy, and avoiding excessive alcohol use.  

Protecting Your Rights to Long Term Disability Benefits

If you suffer from the above or other types of chronic health conditions, it is important to be aware of your risks regarding long term disability (LTD) benefits. If you are eventually unable to work, long term disability insurance policies available through your employer can help offset your losses. 

You should read over the terms of any policy you are considering to determine whether it will be sufficient for you and if it includes any excluded conditions. According to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), your employer must give you copies of your policy documents if you ask for them, free of charge. Other steps you can take to protect your rights to benefits include: 

• Maintain a record of all doctor visits;
• Keep receipts for medications, physical therapy, and other costs;
• Use a journal to jot down your various symptoms and the impact they have on your life;
• Make a note when your disability interferes with your ability to work or perform tasks on the job. 

Contact Our Chicago Long Term Disability Attorney

At Bartolic Law, we help people with chronic health conditions get the long term disability benefits they are entitled to. Call or contact our Chicago long term disability attorney online and request a consultation today.