switching therapists while on LTD

[johnny_c]

What is the name of your state? Colorado

I have been seeing a therapist for years, prescribed some anxiety meds, and then most recently fell ill and diagnosed with a serious disease.

While talking with my current therapist, we uncovered a large portion of my anxiety/fear/CPTSD/depression/etc is related to workplace bullying. My therapist was the one who said what I was experiencing was bullying, never me. I've been too involved in fixing my family life to have seen what was right in front of me. To be clear, I'm not making any of the harassment issues up, I'm not a baby making a mountain out of a mole hill, this was some serious psychological warfare that went on for years. Anyways, once that happened, my therapist refused to talk about it ever again. Any time I pushed to talk about it and get help with the PTSD and the daily intrusive thoughts, he would push me to go back to work or deflect. This has been going on for about a year as I'm terrified to switch therapists and get kicked off LTD for violating some unwritten rule. I am just looking for some advice on how to proceed. I am nowhere near fit to return to work mentally, and physically my body has deteriorated even further to the point my wife said she can't look at me as I "look" sick. I won't get into any details, but imagine the worst case scenario for your health, your family life, work life, financial life, and that's me right now. I can't afford to lose LTD payments on a stupid technicality, even if I can "fight" to get it restored. One missed paycheck and the entire house of cards comes crashing down.

Any input/guidance is greatly appreciated

Thank you

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state? Colorado

I have been seeing a therapist for years, prescribed some anxiety meds, and then most recently fell ill and diagnosed with a serious disease.

While talking with my current therapist, we uncovered a large portion of my anxiety/fear/CPTSD/depression/etc is related to workplace bullying. My therapist was the one who said what I was experiencing was bullying, never me. I've been too involved in fixing my family life to have seen what was right in front of me. To be clear, I'm not making any of the harassment issues up, I'm not a baby making a mountain out of a mole hill, this was some serious psychological warfare that went on for years. Anyways, once that happened, my therapist refused to talk about it ever again. Any time I pushed to talk about it and get help with the PTSD and the daily intrusive thoughts, he would push me to go back to work or deflect. This has been going on for about a year as I'm terrified to switch therapists and get kicked off LTD for violating some unwritten rule. I am just looking for some advice on how to proceed. I am nowhere near fit to return to work mentally, and physically my body has deteriorated even further to the point my wife said she can't look at me as I "look" sick. I won't get into any details, but imagine the worst case scenario for your health, your family life, work life, financial life, and that's me right now. I can't afford to lose LTD payments on a stupid technicality, even if I can "fight" to get it restored. One missed paycheck and the entire house of cards comes crashing down.

Any input/guidance is greatly appreciated

Thank you

Go over your concerns with an attorney in your area to see if there is a legal path forward for you. Good luck.

 

[adjusterjack]

Is the LTD a private policy or employer provided?

Do the benefits require periodic reports about your condition.?

Could your serious illness qualify you for the disability benefits?

 

[johnny_c]

Thank you both for the replies

Go over your concerns with an attorney in your area to see if there is a legal path forward for you. Good luck.

I have reached out to a lawyer recommended by a friend but they never got back to me (2weeks ago). I'm going to reach out to another but it's exhausting and depressing to go over the entire situation, so I thought I'd try here first.

Is the LTD a private policy or employer provided?

Employer provided

Do the benefits require periodic reports about your condition.?

Yes, I believe I have another update more than likely in 3months

Could your serious illness qualify you for the disability benefits?

I'm not sure as I originally went off with the psychological symptoms, but from what I've been told, the infection is in my brain (among other places) and can cause all the psychological symptoms I "started" with.

 

[quincy]

For what condition are you currently collecting disability benefits?

 

[adjusterjack]

I'm not sure as I originally went off with the psychological symptoms, but from what I've been told, the infection is in my brain (among other places) and can cause all the psychological symptoms I "started" with.

I suggest that you quietly (for the time being) consult a neurologist with knowledge and experience in treating the infection and its consequences. Get a comprehensive medical work-up and the doctor's report with a disability rating and submit it to the disability carrier. There may be medication and treatment for the medical condition that could also help the psychological condition.

I'm obviously not a doctor, just giving you my two cents worth.

 

[quincy]

If the medical disability for which worker’s compensation benefits currently are being paid can be connected to a heretofore undiagnosed underlying medical condition (a brain infection), rather than a workplace-caused disability, continued benefit payments are more likely to be challenged.

I think it’s important to speak to a worker’s compensation lawyer before submitting anything - although seeing a medical professional is important from a health standpoint.

Colorado Bar Association Attorney Search:
https://www.cobar.org/Licensed-Lawyer

 

[johnny_c]

For what condition are you currently collecting disability benefits?

anxiety, CFS, mood swings

I suggest that you quietly (for the time being) consult a neurologist with knowledge and experience in treating the infection and its consequences. Get a comprehensive medical work-up and the doctor's report with a disability rating and submit it to the disability carrier. There may be medication and treatment for the medical condition that could also help the psychological condition.

I've been seeing a specialist specific to the illness for the past 9months. I am not concerned at the moment with the disability carrier, merely finding a therapist that will help me. Maybe a more accurate question would be, will switching therapists (but continuing with the specialist) while on LTD be enough to get kicked off?

If the medical disability for which worker’s compensation benefits currently are being paid can be connected to a heretofore undiagnosed underlying medical condition (a brain infection), rather than a workplace-caused disability, continued benefit payments are more likely to be challenged.

I think it’s important to speak to a worker’s compensation lawyer before submitting anything - although seeing a medical professional is important from a health standpoint.

Colorado Bar Association Attorney Search:
https://www.cobar.org/Licensed-Lawyer

The medical condition (lyme) is diagnosed with blood work from two separate labs. One I ordered, and another my specialist ordered 9months ago. The illness is transmitted through a specific type of bug that has been confirmed to be present (and positive for lyme) in an area where I worked for 9yrs before switching positions. I am not an outdoors kind of person, I don't typically travel anywhere outside the city, only time I'm in the brush is for work. Odds are pretty high I got it from work. But again, I'm not asking to prove any of that, I just want to get help from a therapist that will show me how to deal with my PTSD symptoms while not breaking some unwritten rule.

 

[Zigner]

When you contacted your case worker (or whatever they call your contact) at the LTD insurance provider, what did they say about switching therapists?

 

[johnny_c]

When you contacted your case worker (or whatever they call your contact) at the LTD insurance provider, what did they say about switching therapists?

I haven't yet, I wanted to check first rather than give too much information by asking.

 

[quincy]

anxiety, CFS, mood swings


I've been seeing a specialist specific to the illness for the past 9months. I am not concerned at the moment with the disability carrier, merely finding a therapist that will help me. Maybe a more accurate question would be, will switching therapists (but continuing with the specialist) while on LTD be enough to get kicked off?



The medical condition (lyme) is diagnosed with blood work from two separate labs. One I ordered, and another my specialist ordered 9months ago. The illness is transmitted through a specific type of bug that has been confirmed to be present (and positive for lyme) in an area where I worked for 9yrs before switching positions. I am not an outdoors kind of person, I don't typically travel anywhere outside the city, only time I'm in the brush is for work. Odds are pretty high I got it from work. But again, I'm not asking to prove any of that, I just want to get help from a therapist that will show me how to deal with my PTSD symptoms while not breaking some unwritten rule.

Thank you for answering our questions, johnny_c.

If the medical condition for which you are collecting benefits (anxiety, CFS, mood swings) can be connected to the Lyme disease contracted during your workplace duties in a tick-infested area, then seeking additional medical help for any new medical issues that arise from the disease should not affect the benefits you are currently receiving.

The underlying conditions upon which your benefits are based would not change - although the effects of Lyme disease could result in a re-figuring of the benefits for which you are entitled.

I think you should consult with a workman’s compensation lawyer to determine better how the newly-diagnosed brain infection can affect your benefits and, because your health is the most important thing, see whatever doctor/therapist you need to see.

 

[johnny_c]

Thank you for answering our questions, johnny_c.

Seems funny how I came here for an answer to my one question, and yet I've answered all your multiple questions but received no answer to mine. Any reason why that might be?

I think you should consult with a workman’s compensation lawyer to determine better how the newly-diagnosed brain infection can affect your benefits and, because your health is the most important thing, see whatever doctor/therapist you need to see.

I'm seeing the doctors/specialists I need to (4 in total excluding the therapist), I just need a therapist that will actually try to help me, there is no ulterior motive here. Seems pointless to lose one's job in order to talk to someone if I won't be able to pay for it for very long.

 

[Zigner]

Seems funny how I came here for an answer to my one question, and yet I've answered all your multiple questions but received no answer to mine. Any reason why that might be?

The reason for that is your coverage is offered according to a contract, and that contract is unavailable for review by the members here. Even if it were available, contract review is beyond the scope of this (or any) internet forum. What you are going to get here is general advice, not specific answers based on your contract. You would be wise to speak to an attorney if you want specific advice based on the contract.

 

[quincy]

Seems funny how I came here for an answer to my one question, and yet I've answered all your multiple questions but received no answer to mine. Any reason why that might be?

I'm seeing the doctors/specialists I need to (4 in total excluding the therapist), I just need a therapist that will actually try to help me, there is no ulterior motive here. Seems pointless to lose one's job in order to talk to someone if I won't be able to pay for it for very long.

I thought your question was answered. The answer is: Speak to a worker’s compensation lawyer to determine if your benefits will be affected (and how they could be affected) if your medical condition changes and you seek help from another or an additional doctor.

I personally would place my health first and deal with any consequences later. Whether that is the best option for you is something you will have to decide for yourself.

 

[johnny_c]

I thought your question was answered. The answer is: Speak to a worker’s compensation lawyer to determine if your benefits will be affected (and how they could be affected) if your medical condition changes and you seek help from another or an additional doctor.

I personally would place my health first and deal with any consequences later. Whether that is the best option for you is something you will have to decide for yourself.

I see, thank you for clarifying. I have reached out to someone I trust for advice on which therapist to proceed with, but it will be a couple weeks before he gets back to me and I get started. I was thinking of just not mentioning the 2nd therapist and eating the bill for now as I will still have a paycheck coming in that way.

The reason for that is your coverage is offered according to a contract, and that contract is unavailable for review by the members here. Even if it were available, contract review is beyond the scope of this (or any) internet forum. What you are going to get here is general advice, not specific answers based on your contract. You would be wise to speak to an attorney if you want specific advice based on the contract.

I understand contract specifics will change things a bit, but generally speaking, does moving from one therapist for anxiety/ptsd to another therapist for the exact same symptoms justify any form termination for violating the rules? Have you ever heard of this happening to anyone with a private/employer/etc LTD policy?

I'm just looking for some reassurance, give me the odds, 80% chance of success? I don't know.....

Thanks for the help everyone!