Dear Bernie Bessette:
I am replying to your request for information from people with PD
that have been denied disability insurance because of pre=existing PD. I
have had that experience in a different way. First, my employer until 1992
was Vanderbilt University. I was diagnosed by neurologists at Vanderbilt
University Medical Center to have PD in 1991. My insurance contiued in force
for 18 months. This is standard University policy that was not questioned at
that time, and the insurance lapsed anyway on my retirement in 1992. Ididn't
bother to try to renew the additional disability insurance that I had from
a private insurance company. I knew they would refuse.
However, with retirement I became eligible for continued insurance
with the retirement insurance giant, TIA-CREF, the underwriter of virtually
all retirement benefits for academicicians. My application, stated that I
had PD, which TIA-CREF would have found out anyway. They sent me a straight
forward letter turning down my application. Since I started receiving
retirement pay coincident with the loss of disability insurance this will
not be nearly as traumatic as the situation in which you find yourself. I
also am 67 years old with independent children and a securely working wife.
None of this is of any aid to you. I trust you will be able to make
the most of your resources. Keep in touch. Good luck.
Steven
Steven E. Mayer ([log in to unmask]
been diagnosed as PD for about 2 years. The onset came after being exposed
>to about one year of VERY HIGH STRESS work. I changed job nine months ago
>to another small company and much less stress in a rewarding position
>managing an engineering field office. That is background information for
>what comes next.
>
>In changing company, I announced to the owners that I had PD and I wanted to
>make sure that the insurance company would underwrite my coverage. The
>company was The Fortis Company, St. Paul MN, and other than the usual 6
>month waiting period for pre-existing conditions when a new employee is
>added to an existing policy, all went well.
>
>As an austerity move, my new employer recently changed carrier to the
>Starmark Insurance Co. out of Lake Forest, IL. In attempting to do the
>right thing, the HR person informed Starmark that I have a pre-existing
>condition. Starmark requested all the doctor's records which amounted to my
>evaluation visits and a MRI test. My meds are Sinemet 25/100 and Elderpril
>5mg 2x daily amounting to $200/months of prescription costs. I'm 48 years
>young, exercise two to three times per week and otherwise in excellent
>health. I don't see myself as an insurance risk.
>
>The new carrier recently wrote a letter to my company benefits person and
>informed them that they would have to pay $2,000 per month to include me in
>their policy. I was totally taken back by this position, let alone at the
>new risk of losing my job when the company figures out that it will cost
>them an additional $24,000 per year to keep me around. I found a good job
>with a friendly company, but like all businesses, they are in business for
>profit, not just to keep me in a job.
>
>Now the questions:
>1. Has anyone had a similar problem with their insurance carrier?
>2. Does anyone have any experience with insurance carriers segregating
>PD patients from the list of those others with pre-existing conditions?
>3. Has anyone approached the insurance commissioners in their state
>with a similar problem, and if so, what was the outcome?
>4. Is anyone knowledgeable of what protection may be available from the
>American Disabilities Act for PD patients?
>
>Thank you for putting up with my rambling. This is a real-time job and
>security concern for me. I look forward to hearing what experiences others
>of you may have had on this subject.
>
>God Bless You.
>
>
