Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system and affects 400,000 Americans. If you have a close relative – a parent, sibling or child – with MS, you have an increased chance of having MS. MS affects all age groups, but most people are diagnosed with MS between ages 20 – 50. Because those are working years for most people, MS claims are subjected to close scrutiny by long term disability insurance companies.

MS is a progressive disease, and while some people are able to continue working, others find it difficult, if not impossible, to maintain their work lives. Some experience overwhelming fatigue, others experience slurred speech, stiffness, tremors or bladder problems. In some patients, major symptoms disappear, in severe cases, symptoms become permanent and can include partial or complete paralysis, vision loss, and difficulty with speech.

If your MS is severe and you cannot perform the tasks of your job, you should speak with an experienced MS disability insurance policy lawyer who has successfully represented MS patients in disability claims. If you have questions, call Jason Newfield or Justin Frankel at 1-877-LTD-CLAIM (1-877-583-2524) or click here to send an email.

If you are about to make a claim on your disability policy, make sure that your doctor understands the importance of their role. Your medical record must strongly support the diagnosis, and must outline very specifically your performance limitations. Because there is no single defining test used to diagnose MS, disability insurance companies seeking to avoid paying out on claims often try to use this to their advantage, denying claims for as long a time period as possible.

Further complicating claims, MS is a disease where symptoms may appear and then disappear for a while, so MS claims are considered to be either “Relapsing or Remitting.” If you are suffering from a flare up and cannot work for a few days, weeks or months, the insurance company may place you in a special category. Make sure that every flare up is documented, as well as every doctor visit.

Many MS patients work with us to help prepare the claim forms because they understand that this is going to be a long, uphill battle, and want to try to alleviate the stress. We have represented many MS patients before, during and after claims have been filed, delayed and denied.

If you are about to file for a disability insurance claim because of MS, or if you have filed and are experiencing problems with getting benefits paid, speak with an experienced long term disability insurance policy attorney who has successfully represented MS claimants. If you have questions, call Jason Newfield or Justin Frankel at 1-877-LTD-CLAIM (1-877-583-2524) or click here to send an email.