The Doctor’s Corner: 5 Recent Medical Study Developments

There have been several studies released in the past few months that offer promises for better understanding and treatment of several different chronic conditions. Today’s post is going to review some of these advances and how they may affect those with these chronic conditions and how they may impact disability claims.

• Study Shows Antibiotics May Relieve Chronic Lower Back Pain:  This new study shows that 4 in 10 chronic back pain cases may be caused by bacteria and that 80% of these cases may be successfully treated with antibiotics. In this double-blind Danish study, patents were treated with either a placebo or antibiotic regiment 3 times a day for 100 days and then re-evaluated. The placebo group showed no noticeable improvement while patients who received the antibiotics were better able to function after one year with less lower back pain, less leg pain, and fewer days off work due to the condition. These new treatment avenues could help some people who suffer from chronic back pain regain more independence and return to more normal activities.
• Los Angeles Doctor Develops New Fibromyalgia Test:  Individuals who suffer from Fibromyalgia know the frustration and extended time it often takes to reach a conclusive diagnosis of their condition. A new test developed by Dr. Bruce Gillis in Santa Monica, California is the first blood test able to recognize two blood markers for Fibromyalgia that can be found in the immune system. The test measured the levels of two specific proteins produced by white blood cells: chemokines and cytokines. Patients who suffer from Fibromyalgia also lack the production of these two specialized proteins. This test may be able to offer more definitive evidence, or their holy grail of objective proof, for the insurance company claim examiners and consulting doctors who are dubious and skeptical about any and every disability claim involving Fibromyalgia.
• Long-Term Intake Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Can Greatly Reduce Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis:  This is a Swedish study of 32,000 women over a 10-year period. In the study, people who ate certain types of fatty fish at least once per week developed rheumatoid arthritis at only half the rate of women who at little or no fish. The researchers behind the study say that the Omega-3 fatty acids present in these fish have an anti-inflammatory effect on the immune system.  Since rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks joints, the anti-inflammatory effects mitigates the body’s inflammation, reducing the pain and cartilage damage caused by arthritis.
• Study Shows Genetic Relationships Between 5 Major Psychiatric Disorders:  The largest genome-wide study ever conducted on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has demonstrated that genetic relationships exist among these conditions. The study’s findings show that many of these disorders may be far more connected than many people consider today. The results show that the genetic overlaps are most significant between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They’re moderate between bipolar disorder and depression, schizophrenia and depression, and depression and ADHD. The lowest correlation of any significance was found between schizophrenia and autism. These correlations will help researchers find new protocols to treat behavioral patterns as opposed to specific conditions, allowing for more precise and patient-specific treatment therapies.
• New treatment offers relief for Colitis and Chrohn’s disease:  Two studies show that the same treatment may provide relief for sufferers of both Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These trials took place with nearly 2,000 patients in 34 countries and monitored them for one year of treatment with the intravenous antibody medication, Vedolizumab. This drug works by inhibiting the immune system from releasing cytokines, the same protein coincidentally used as a marker in the new Fibromyalgia test above. The inflammation caused by this protein causes many of the uncomfortable symptoms brought on by these diseases. Not only did the drug work to prevent the symptoms of the conditions but even better more often resulted in remissions. These studies also showed that patients were able to stop using some commonly prescribed drugs and therapies to treat Colitis and Chrohn’s, helping avoid their significant and common side effects such as weight gain, nausea, and headaches. This new treatment gives sufferers the opportunity to regain more of their lives without having to deal with the residual effects of the disease along with the side effects of prescriptions that can prevent claimants from being able to return to work.

As medical research progresses, more sufferers of chronic diseases are able regain their lives and reduce their risks of becoming or remaining permanently disabled. New advances are made every day, and new studies continue to find links that help understand the reasons and factors underlying – and treatments for – many chronic conditions, giving patients and doctors new directions in finding different and more effective treatment protocols for conditions which can be terribly debilitating.

If you are suffering from a chronic condition and need help with your disability insurance claim, please call our firm at (855) 828-4100 or visit our website to sign up for a free consultation.

4 Types of Disability Claims Caused By Car Accidents

While a car accident itself may not be a reason to file a disability claim, many disability claims result from injuries sustained in a crash or other type of accident. While you may not qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance if the injuries don’t totally incapacitate you for more than 12 months, many individual and group long term disability policies cover the inability to work due to these incidents as well as almost all short term disability policies. From back problems to broken bones to “whiplash,” there are many different types of injuries that can result from even seemingly minor vehicle accidents, including some that may not become apparent for an extended period of time. Today’s blog post is going to review some of the different types of injuries that may result from these accidents and how to obtain the disability benefits you deserve while recovering from these injuries.

The Different Definitions of Disability

Deciphering the different definitions of disability is a surprisingly complicated process. Some of these definitions can be found in almost every policy, while some use attachments or riders to tweak the policy language. While the exact terminology may be different, there are five basic definitions of disability that are important to understand if you’re considering filing a claim for benefits or even if you’re just trying to decide what type of coverage to purchase.

1. Own Occupation. Simply put, this definition defines you as totally disabled if you can no longer perform the material and substantial duties of your occupation. Some policies will even consider you totally disabled if you are unable to perform just one of the material and substantial duties of your occupation. If you are being paid benefits under an own occupation disability policy, you may be able to go back to work in a different type of job and still be entitled to benefits as long as you’re unable to perform the job from which you were declared totally disabled. Because of this liberal definition, these policies are usually more expensive and harder to obtain.  
2. Any Occupation. This definition is almost the opposite of Own Occupation. You’re only considered totally disabled if you cannot perform the duties of any occupation. Usually, the policy will include language that takes into consideration your education, training, experience, and earnings level as well.  This prevents the insurance company from trying to envision you in a job for which you’re under-qualified or over-paid just to end your claim. This definition is often found in cheaper, group policies and can be challenging to collect benefits without strong medical evidence and very debilitating conditions.
3. Split Definition Coverage. While this isn’t a definition of disability in and of itself, this definition is very common in disability insurance policies so it’s worth discussing. Many policies have definitions of disability that switch from Own Occupation to Any Occupation after a period of time that can range from 6 months to 5 years. Anyone receiving disability benefits under this type of coverage should be extremely wary leading up to this transition date, as insurance companies often plan for how to stop paying benefits around that time.
4. Presumptive Total Disability. Regardless of your policy definition of disability, certain catastrophic injuries or illnesses are automatically considered totally disabling. These often let you skip some of the requirements that must be met to be considered totally disabled. You’re allowed to receive benefits immediately after the elimination period that will continue even if you return to work. The medical events that fall under this definition include the loss of sight in both eyes, loss of hearing, loss of speech, the use of both hands, the use of both feet, or the use of one hand and one foot. These losses must be complete. Different policies can have slightly different qualifications for Presumptive Disability and not all of the ailments listed above will qualify under every policy.
5. Residual Disability. The first four definitions have been about Total Disability, but this isn’t the only way to qualify for benefits. Some policies include definitions of disability that will pay you a portion (or all) of your benefits if your work level and/or earnings are reduced. Under Residual Disability, claimants are paid benefits based on the relative amount of income they’ve lost due to their disability. This is calculated through a formula that takes into account the disabling condition and the percentage of pre-disability income the claimant continues to earn. Be aware – some cheaper policies include a clause that requires the claimant to have been totally disabled for a while before they’re able to collect residual disability benefits. There are two ways to purchase Residual Disability coverage: you can either purchase a Total Disability policy with a Residual Disability rider or you may purchase what is often called an income replacement policy. Income replacement is another term for residual coverage and can be the cheaper of the two option since it lacks specific Total Disability coverage.
6. Partial Disability. This definition is very similar to but slightly different from Residual Disability. The main difference is that Partial Disability does not consider the loss of income calculations when determining the benefit amounts. Rather, if you’re considered partially disabled, the policy will pay you 50% of the total disability benefit amount. Partial Disability is also not offered as a standalone policy and is either included as a rider to a policy or as the base coverage in some rare policies. Benefits periods for Partial Disability are often much shorter, usually not extending beyond 6 to 12 months.

Even if your injury or illness may fit into one of these policy definitions, it doesn’t always mean you will receive benefits. There are many other policy considerations, such as appropriate care or diagnosis limitations, that can decide whether or not you’ll be able to collect your benefits. If you’re considering filing a disability claim and are not sure of the definitions in your policy, or if you’re not sure if you qualify for benefits under your policy’s definition, please call our firm toll-free at (855) 828-4100 or sign up for a free consultation on our website. We can help you get the answers you need to get the benefits you deserve.