Disability Insurance Puns

YSK: Life, disability, and long-term care insurance providers can discriminate based on genetic testing results. Health insurance providers can't. (ETA: This applies to the US. Other countries are different. Thanks to the commenters who pointed that out.)

Why YSK: Health insurers are forbidden to discriminate on the basis of genetics. Other insurers--like life, disability, and long-term care--aren't. So if you think you'll want genetic testing--and odds are you will someday--it's wise to get your life, disability, and long-term care policies set up first.

Going through the process of getting disability insurance. I was shocked that my broker acted like my history of mild anxiety and being on an SSRI for 6 months during a very stressful intern year and having no issues since would affect my rates and options. Frankly, I also didn’t realize the insurance companies would dig so hard into medical records though I guess with that much money on the line I’m not surprised. Has anyone else had this experience ?

It seems that disability insurance is a must for those in the medical field. How about for those in tech?

I'm 26, recently boosted my income to $450k TC with quite a bit of upside as a principal product manager, and I'm now thinking about how to best protect myself. I've already researched all the basics about making sure it's true own career based, non-cancellable, etc, but I wanted to hear if anybody here has gotten an individual plan in an engineering/product/general role at a tech company. I'm interested only in individual plans as it appears that group plans cover a lot less than most would like.

Anybody have a plan and work in tech? Is it still around 1.5-3% of your annual income for ~70% income replacement?

Hi everyone! I'm in the process of signing up for supplemental long-term disability insurance and am being asked to describe my job duties in 2-3 sentences and well as any physical/manual activities or travel as a part of your job.

I'm a data analyst and this is what I was thinking of: "Analyze data and build financial models, dashboards, and reports. Work with business areas within company to gather data requests and communicate data findings, recommendations, and analysis. Ability to sit at desk and use keyboard and mouse for long periods of time. Critical thinking, mental clarity, and communication skills extremely important for job duties."

Any advice or tips? I'm not sure if it's in my interest to be more or less specific or if I'm missing anything else that one should include. Any insight is greatly appreciated, I've never had to do this before and it's scary that I may overlook something that will bite me in the butt if I do become disabled one day.

I've been slowly spiralling for the last few months and it's gotten to the point where I can't focus on my work at all. I'm totally burnt out. The scope of my depression is bad enough that my therapist strongly suggested for me to go on short term disability leave to get my mental health back on track, but I checked and it's not covered in my benefits.

I considered focusing the limited energy I have on finding another job and taking a break between ending my current one, and starting the new one but I'm afraid I won't be able to learn and perform at the new job given my current mental state. (In case the short break isn't enough to put me back on track).

Is there any advice you could give me in this scenario form a financial point of view? I have a car loan, car insurance, and rent payments that must be made monthly and for a reason I won't go into I recently had to use up a bunch of my savings. I can't support myself without an income. Government disability payments wouldn't be enough to cover my rent + car payments + food.

So I was a bonehead last year and thought "hmm I've been fatigued lately, I would love to get screened for sleep apnea". And the home sleep study test said my AHI was 5.6 which is pretty mild and the sleep docs were not impressed. I tried CPAP and it kinda helped but not. (regular sleep schedule, 8 hrs+ normal sleep, and no caffeine near bed pretty much fixed the problem). But now I regret doing it cause for disability the underwriters at the big-6 companies will see this now.

I also have borderline hypertension and high LDL (likely genetic on my dad's side). So now I am pretty much eating plant based diet, zero alcohol, and losing weight to make these BMI, LDL, AST/ALT markers in tippity top condition.

Any tips about going through the process? I speak with an independent broker here soon. I assume I will get labs within 30-60 days. I worry also that these previous conditions will negatively impact the premiums, but also found out that they generally are cheaper for males.

(I also heard they urine screen for diuretics so you cannot try to fake a normal blood pressure LOL). They better not screen for beet powder incase of trying that instead ;)

Tentatively planning

• 90 day waiting period (ie long term only)

• Own occupation coverage

• Partial/residual disability coverage

• Non-cancel-able

• Guaranteed renewable

• Cost of living adjustment (to keep up with the pace of inflation) - rider

• Future increase option (so there is no need to redo underwriting)

Skipping:

• Coverage for student loans

• Coverage for retirement income

• Catastrophic coverage

The other questions is whether to do graded vs level premiums, so to be determined.

I am in the US and have MS. I’ve unfortunately had a lot of cognition symptoms and my job as a CPA became untenable for myself and my employer.

I’m now on long term disability which pays 60% of my old salary. I’m fighting every day to get my brain back, but am realizing I may never be a CPA again. My disability insurance has a provision that if I go back to work and make less than 75% of my old salary, I’ll still get some benefits. Any of the jobs I can do now or in the foreseeable future pay significantly less than that. I’d rather work doing something, even the proverbial “Walmart greeter” my damn Disability attorney keeps mentioning. Has anyone else navigated through this? They made it sound like I’d ultimately be getting more than 60% of my previous salary, but does anyone know the math on this?

Thanks to all and apologies if anything was unclear

I heard it is cheaper to get while you are a resident/fellow. Any tips to be careful of?

I was supposed to be covered under my wife’s private insurance through her work however due to a mistake during open enrollment I am not covered. She contacted HR and they looked into the issue and was told nothing can be done it.

My wife is starting a new job in March and I will be able to get coverage at some point after that.

I’m not very knowledgeable about health insurances overall. I’ve been fortunate that my wife has had good insurance and I’ve been able to use that until now. I may be wrong however I believe my biggest concern is that my current health issues becoming pre existing conditions due to a lapse in coverage and won’t be covered when she starts her new job. Maybe there is something bigger that I just don’t know about as well.

I have Medicare part A and B as I receive disability through Social Security but open enrollment for supplemental plans closed.

What are my options? Can I go to the ACA exchange and buy a short term plan until the new private insurance kicks in? Do I need to buy anything specific so I don’t have pre-existing conditions when starting the new insurance through my wife’s new job?

Edit - We’re in South Carolina

Thanks in advance

I’ve started investigating my long term disability options as I’ve been advised it’s cheaper to purchase while still a student. Can anyone recommend a broker they liked? Please DM me. Thank you!

For more context, someone in my household tested positive for Covid, I tested negative. I informed my boss that a family member of mine tested positive, he told his boss and they determined that I needed to quarantine myself for 10 days even though I tested negative. They gave me information to their insurance company and told me to go through them to get paid for my time off. The insurance company denied my case becasue I was not sick and tested negative. After I told my employer that my case was denied they suggested I file for unemployment, but unemployment denied my case also because too much time has passed since my time off (I was under the inpression that the insurance company would take care of me, so I didn't even think unemployment was an option). So, am I just screwed out of a paycheck? I think it's ridiculous that I was forced to quarantine, even though I was healthy and now, losing out on a paycheck for it.

Edit: I'm a truck driver in Minnesota for a large company that is known nationwide, throughout the US.

I got some great advice on a thread I started a few days ago re: term life insurance, and now realize I have a lot of questions about short-term disability. I own my own business. Married, have 1 toddler and planning no more children. Husband has W2 job and gets whatever (probably meager) disability insurance they offer, so this will just be for me. We make around the same amount and if I were to be unable to work, things would be pretty tight I imagine. I also have a close family history of cancer so that seems worth factoring it as I move into my 40s. I know very little about disability insurance.

What should I be looking for in terms of a policy, premium and payment wise? Should I get it with the same company that I do term life (am getting that now)? Anything in particular I should be on the lookout for?

I signed up for short-term disability insurance during my employer's 2022 benefits election period. The servicer, MetLife, required I submit a statement of health form to determine insurability. In the form, I disclosed my history of controlled depression. This is something that would be apparent at the first glance of my medical records. I take medication for it daily.

The denial letter states that I can make a written request for more detailed information about their decision. It also has an ominous sounding warning that disputes become a part of my record and will be shared with other parties upon request.

Is there any grounds to dispute this denial? Can disputing it affect insurability or premiums in the future?

I see so many of my peers and young coworkers opting out of it, but for $3 a month for the last 3 years ($108 total) I am getting 80% my salary while out on emergency leave. Which is so tight but better than 0%

Don't be an idiot and try to save that petty cash. If your work offers it, it is so worth it even if you are young and totally healthy.

Consider it a gift to yourself at your most vulnerable. I would be so screwed right now without it.

Hello all,

I wanted to clue people in to how medical coverage looks for someone working while living with disabilities in the USA.

I have multiple disabilities, and in the span of roughly 15 months (2020 - 2021) I had 5 direly-needed surgeries. You know they were urgent because they all happened expediently while "non-urgent" surgeries were being put on hold during the height of the pandemic. I have regular surgical procedures for injections in my back and neck and see a therapist regularly. I also have taken several very expensive medications.

These are the 2020 totals of the bills my insurance company received for reimbursement and how much I was "responsible" for. Since some of this was over the out of pocket maximum, I had to do a lot of work getting the insurance company to cover the charges above and beyond the OOP-Max limits:

2020 Medical

Here's how contacting insurance companies works: You call the insurance company at the number provided on their letter. They put you on hold for up to 1-2 hours (sometimes even more, if they send you from department to department trying to find someone to answer your question. My record for longest phone call to insurance currently stands at 4:13:00, no joke). You finally get through and clarify what the issue is. Half the time, you have to call your medical provider's office for some information you didn't know you'd need. Then you call the insurance company back and hold again for up to 1-2 hours, because they "don't have" a direct number and you have to go through the whole system again.

(I fall just BARELY over the income limit to get Medicaid for Working Disabled. When I received that benefit at a lower income level in 2019, it was SO helpful. It probably saved me at least $5k in medical costs.)

For 2021, I had three different insurance coverages (1/1 - 9/30, 9/1 - 10/30, 11/1 onward), because I left one job for another. Below is what the first of these insurance coverages looked like (1/1 - 9/30). (I have since had at least $500 in medical charges with my new insurance, though I'm going without some things because of finances. When you change insurance coverages, each time the out-of-pocket maximum restarts. :| )

[2021 Medical from 1/1/2021 through 9/30/2021 ](https://preview.redd.it/43qr3imi2z781.png?width=1050&format=png&auto=webp&s=939fa9cb7e5f304a3

Hi everyone,

Here is the current situation:

My partner fell gravely ill two years ago. She isnt dead (~30% of cases do after 2 years), but she's disabled and will never return to work.

She had a good job working at the municipal level with good group insurance:

• She has been receiving long-term disability insurance for two years representing 80% of her income.
• Her drugs cost about 500 000$ per year, we only pay 1000$/year.
• She also needs a lot of paramedical care, such as psychotherapist, physiologist, ergotherapist, etc..

She just started receiving "disability benefits" from the Quebec Pension Plan. This doesnt mean more money, simply that the insurer will save ~15k per year on her long-term disability payouts.

In a year (after three years without working), her work relationship with her employer will be terminated.

She will still receive the 80% of her income, but she will lose her group health insurance. <-- This is where I need your input

Hopefully, most of the cost of the drugs will be covered by the RAMQ (provincial drug insurance), but nothing is guaranteed. Her medication was approved by the private insurer for her as a special measure, but is not typically reimbursed by the provincial insurer.

All paramedical care would be out of pocket.

This seems.. wrong. You pay for an insurance plan, but if you fall sick enough that you can'T get back to work then you will be on your own after 3 years and no other insurer will ever accept to insure her.

Is there any thing we can do? Can we force the group insurer to retain her?

Right now my best option seems to find myself a job with group health insurance that covers my partner, but I'm hoping for ideas where she remains protected and I remain free to work anywhere.

where is justice?

Hi. I’m trying to find insurance for a disability modified van. The van is worth $55k and the mods are worth $150k. All insurers are declining saying the mods are too high in relation to the vehicle value. I’m a broker and I’ve tried all companies we deal with. I’ve hit a brick wall. Does anyone hold a policy like this and can tell me who your insurer is? Thanks.

I am currently on Long Term Disability through my employers insurance (Canada Life). My two year insurance runs out Oct 22nd, 2022. I've had both heels fused Aug 2019. The surgery failed. My left foot was redone Jan 2021, and I recently found out my right foot never fully fused either. I'm having the right foot redone this Jan 10th, 2022. Old sports injury in 2009 left me very disabled, losing all the cartilage in the subtalar joint over the course of time. I'm 36 years old. My question is - I'm eligible to claim government Disability Tax Credit for each year I have been disabled from it's inception in 2009. If I'm reading my contract with my insurance provider correctly, then I would be liable to disclose that information and subsequently lose my current insurance payments up until the offset has been deducted. With another year to go, I was hoping to start a company with that money, but not take a salary until after my insurance runs out. Am I on the hook for anything? Should I wait until after Oct 22nd, 2022 to file the DTC? Thanks.

Here is a transcript from the contract.

INCOME DECLARATION AND REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT Name: Group Plan: Portfolio ID:

I understand that: I am required to apply for disability benefits that I or another member of my family might become entitled to receive because of my disability, and that I may be asked by Canada Life to reapply or appeal decisions refusing my application(s) where considered appropriate.

during the time it takes for my application for these other disability benefits to be accepted, or my entitlement to any other reportable income to be reviewed, Canada Life will continue paying me amounts equivalent to the disability benefit payments I am eligible to receive under the Group Plan, provided I continue to be eligible for these disability benefit payments under the Group Plan (the "Advance"). The terms "other disability benefits" and 'other reportable income" refer to any of the types of disability benefits and other income mentioned under the Offset, All Source Maximum, Caardination of Benefits and Subrogation and Right of Recovery provisions under the Group Plan, as well as any other amounts, including damages for loss of income, that I may receive or became entitled to receive as a result of my disability.

if I am entitled to receive disability benefits or any other reportable income, this may result in an overpayment ("Overpayment") that I will be required to pay back to Canada Life

Im on LTD with sunlife, im wondering if our regular benefits still apply? Like physiotherapy etc, also do we still get travel insurance? Or does everything stop once ur on disability payments directly from sunlife?

I am a general internist shopping for disability insurance and am deciding between the following:

• “true own specialty” benefits: meaning that even if I am working in a different occupation after a disability, I will get full benefits
• “own occupation and not engaged”: meaning that if I choose to work in some other capacity after a disability, the payout would be reduced proportionally to whatever income I earn in my new job. (Notably, it would be my choice whether or not to choose to work in another occupation; it's not that I would be forced to work as a barista etc.)

The agent I’m speaking with suggests that since I’m in general IM, if I were so disabled I could not do IM, then I would probably be so disabled I wouldn’t work at all, so the “own occupation and not engaged” option makes sense (in contrast to a surgeon, who would want “true own specialty”). Just wanted to run that by this community to see if people agree?

Hey PFC!

UPDATE: That wraps it up for today, though we will answer any other questions posted, just not as quickly. Thanks so much everyone for your time and some really challenging questions. The team had a lot of fun debating and answering them!

Two years ago we answered your questions about life insurance and other types of coverage like critical illness and disability insurance. We’re back again to shed any light we can on your questions about life and living benefit coverage.

A lot has changed in 2 years, and that is an understatement. Besides the obvious pandemic-related changes, fulfillment of life insurance applications and how insurance carriers approve applications has been forced to evolve to meet the expectations of Canadians looking to keep face-to-face interactions at a minimum. If you have any specific questions about how COVID-19 has affected the life insurance application process, we are happy to answer those as well.

For those needing a refresher: PolicyAdvisor.com is an online insurance brokerage with a mission of making the insurance buying process honest, transparent, and jargon-free. We let Canadians compare from the country’s top insurance companies wherever and whenever they can access our site. We know Canadians can save money by comparing life insurance quotes amongst the top companies and thus make that process as easy as possible.

A lot has changed for us in 2 years as well! Since our last AMA we have:

• Added new products to our online application offering, including whole life coverage, children’s coverage, and no-medical policies
• Added the ability for couples to apply for coverage together
• Added more insurance carriers to our list of partners and now provide quotes from over 20 of Canada’s top insurance companies
• Grown our team significantly. In December 2019 we were a team of 6, today we have 20 employees and plans to double that headcount (if not more) in the new year
• Helped over 250,000 Canadians make more informed insurance decisions
• Expanded to Alberta and Manitoba (with more provinces being announced VERY shortly)
• And did it all while maintaining a 4.9/5 rating on Google Reviews

How PolicyAdvisor works: By entering basic information into our easy-to-use online tools, you can calculate your coverage needs and receive free quotes instantly. Our b

Basically anything ok for seniors over 65 w. no medical exam.required/ disabilities..thanks

Hi I have a question about life insurance.

I am currently on SSI disability with a limited income.

Outside this I have no income/assets.

You are not allowed too have assets above $2,000 on SSI.

So with that I wanted too know if I am able too get any form of life insurance.

Or will that be counted as an asset/income?

It's would be for my mom/brother too use for funeral so it's not a burden after I pass.

I have no kids or wife or beneficiarys.

Any help would be appreciated thanks.

I was doing a bit of research about the childfree population and came across the following study about childless individuals in the US: https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2021/demo/p70-173.pdf

They looked at older adults in the US (55 and older). The somewhat surprising thing was that 36.4% of childless adults were disabled (vs 38.6% in the overall population, not statistically significant).

So if a little over 1/3rd of us will be disabled, the question becomes, do you have disability insurance? (beyond SSDI)

For those who don't know, applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a challenging process. Many people are denied the first time, and then have to appeal (with a lawyer) to get coverage. SSDI also doesn't pay that much.

Private disability insurance usually covers 60-70% of income. If you pay for it yourself (in after-tax dollars) then the payments they make while you are disabled are normally not taxed. The challenge is to read the fine print. There is a big difference between own-occupation (i.e. if you are a doctor and can't be a doctor your get disability) versus any-occupation (if you are a doctor and can work at McDonald's, you don't get disability).

Disability insurance is probably more important to Childfree individuals than life insurance. Life insurance is to take care of your family after you are gone, and without kids, there is a much smaller need. Disability protects both you and your family.

Hi all, PGY1 here. Planning a wedding and also thinking abut getting life and disability insurance. I'm curious what are the chances I'm able to get a life insurance policy and disability insurance through one of the major carriers while I'm currently getting worked up for a medical condition? What's sketchy is that it's a cardiovascular condition, and it could be a serious one. I'm kind of in a standstill with this work-up and I wonder if now is my best time to get insurance lined up before worst case scenario: i'm diagnosed and black listed from insurance. From my understanding of the condition, you are blocked from life insurance if formally diagnosed.

My financial advisor made it sound recently that there's likely no chance I get insurance if diagnosed. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this kind of thing and recommend a carrier to move forward with while I'm still in this stand stil?

TIA

I've been thinking about this for the last several months, and curious to get your folks' thoughts.

The Economist, which is a mouth piece for the investor class, and a good resource to read on how capital is moving, published a shocking special report in May where they calculated based on their statistical model and official statistics from the Office of National Statistics in the UK that about 1% of the UK's labour force has been rendered permanently unable to participate at work due to long-COVID. I was really surprised by this as The Economist usually presents a triumphalist and cheery view of capitalism, and that's a sobering number to publish. Losing 1% of your ACTIVE labour force capacity in one year is huge.

Behind most people with long-COVID, there's a spouse or another family member, sometimes several, who have to pick up the slack in terms of care. There's also a network of systems - starting with the healthcare system, but also insurance systems, and social welfare systems - that are going to have to step in. This additional layer of disability and stress is happening in the context of advanced economies that already have a huge and growing chronic disease burden from the obesity crisis, the opioid epidemic (particularly in the US and Canada), heart disease, cancer, mental illness, the rise of deaths of despair, and of course the ageing population.

In Ontario, our healthcare system operated at capacity before COVID - it's been cut to the bone for decades - and now you're introducing a whole other burden on top of that.

What's more, we're still early stages in this. We don't know what the long-term impacts of COVID are going to be 5, 6, 10 years down the line.

It just does not seem when you put it all together that this story has a happy ending.