Disability Digest Blog!

Hi:

I will be hosting a complimentary webinar Wednesday November 4 at 3:00 pm eastern standard time (12:00 pm pst, 2:00 pm cst).

I hope you can join so I can show you exactly how to use your Disability Digest membership to weave through maze of disability issues.  You’ll learn how to use you membership to…

> Qualifying For Disability,
> Make sure you’re getting the benefit level you’re entitled to,
> Learn exactly how much money you can make and keep your benefits,
> Find out how people with disabilities find a job,
> How members start a business with no money down,
> Learn some real secrets about where to find affordable housing
in great neighborhoods,
> Qualifying for a grant,
> Find low cost no cost treatment options,
> Figure out the Medicare mess,
>> All new reliable work at home options,

There will be a question and answer session at the end of the
webinar.  Space is limited click here  reserve your Webinar seat now:

Regards
Brian Therrien

Hi

Do the following scenarios describe a situation you could find yourself in?

- have you paid even one dollar into a long term disability insurance policy,
- think you may need to file a short or long term disability claim,
- have already filed an insurance claim for short or long term disability,
- had your long term disability claim denied in the last 6 years?

If so, then I have some GREAT NEWS for you!  As you may already know, getting insurance companies to pay individual disability claims has become a HUGE problem. It’s now being viewed by some as a consumer insurance epidemic!

To combat this I’ve worked with leading benefit recover experts to put together a FREE course to help you collect all your long term disability insurance benefits or recover benefits you’ve been denied.

The course includes a 71 minute interview with a Benefits Recovery Specialist and nine videos that will teach you everything you need to know but don’t know to ask!

Click here To register for the free course :

Regards

Regards
Brian Therrien

I will be holding a special webinar Wednesday October at 11:15 am eastern standard time(10:15 CST, 8:15 PST) to introduce The Disability Digest Affiliate program and explain how we can work together and supplement your in.come.

Regardless if your 18 or 102 this could work for you because

> its FREE to become an affiliate,

> we provide step by step training,

> even if you have no experience working online we have 5 simple proven ways for you to profit.
*** One strategy earns affiliates $5.00 in 5 minutes…really!

You would especially benefit from this if…

>  you own a web site that has visitors coming to it,

>  you know how to use social networks My Space Face Book, Twitter…

>  you know how to use Craig’s list,

>  you have sales experience,

>  you are just so fed up with living on a disability check that your willing to anything legal to supplement your income!

This is a reliable way supplement your income and make a difference.   Join me Wednesday 11:15 am est to learn the details. You’ll be glad you did!

Space is limited.  Click here to reserve your Webinar seat now:

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

A replay of the webinar will be sent out later.

Regards

Brian Therrien

Hopefully, we are a savvy enough group of people to not fall victim to Internet based schemes which seek to separate you from your money.  These schemes (scams) are many and varied, and quite sophisticated.

But then , most disabled individuals possess better radar than most, having to deal with bureaucracies which present their own brand of unfairness.  You end up being wary of everything.

A little publicized breach in a database of disabled people has evidently found its way into the hands of some criminal types who are operating a rather realistic looking scam.  Between the Office of Disability Policy, and a few other agencies, no one is owning up to the database breach, and it was quickly remedied.

However, there is a chance you might receive an official looking email from the good folks at Western Union, allowing you access to funds.  Do not be fooled.

Please, if you receive an email from these folks, forward the email to the FBI Internet Fraud unit:

http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx

Then, block the sender through your email provider. As this particular scam is a cleverly disguised Western Union communication, you might want to contact the main Western Union office to let them know this fraud is being perpetrated in their name.

http://www.westernunion.com/info/selectCountry.asp?country=global

Below is the text of the fraud.  Notice the url they provide.  It reads out as wumt.westernunion.com  And the site is a direct replica of the real Western Union website.     Be careful out there.

Advocate

Get a FREE membership to The Disability Digest and learn absolutely every thing (you) need to know about disability

Send Money Worldwide Attn. The management Western Union International Money Transfer, fund mangers of United Nation/IMF Fund Office London hereby confirms receipt of your information in regards to payment reference number 72912 due you. After due verification we confirm the said information to be same with the one in our records. We have this morning secured the approval for the said payment from the British Financial Service Authority as attached. Accordingly we have made the said payment as directed by the International Monetary Fund office headquarters that beneficiaries collect their first USD10.000.00 across the counter of any western union agent of their choice in their resident country once they meet their financial obligations. Also to note is that Western Union is not allowed to make all payment at once via western union money transfer due to the way the fund came to our headquarters and for security reasons and your countries financial regulations. An International Remittance File Voucher will be purchased in your name to for us to enter your name and MTCN numbers in the western Union Global networks to enable you enable you walk into any western union shop or agent of your choice and pick up your funds. Note that the remaining fund/payment will be made install mentally in the following order: 1. USD10, 000.00 made payable to you from the western union. 2. USD840, 000.00 made payable to you via Bank to Bank transfer from our designated paying bank. Here are details of USD10, 000.00 made on your behalf today, you are not permitted to pick up this money until your International Remittance File Voucher is purchased.  Below are the information of your payment you can track the funds and see that its available to be picked up by you. PAYMENT DETAILS MADE FOR YOUR CONFIRMATION!!! (1.) Amount: 5,000 USD MTCN: 5507885626 Sender痴 first name: Peter Sender’s last name: Anderson (2.) Amount:5,000 USD MTCN: 8478097679 Sender痴  first name: Peter Sender’s last name:  Anderson You can re-check the data online via Western Union website below: https://wumt.westernunion.com Your are required to urgently check the status of your payment online through our website as indicated above and contact us for the release of your International Remittance File Voucher upon your confirmation that the money sent to you today is available to be picked up. We awaits your urgent confirmation to that effect. Yours Sincerely, Mr. Mark Steven James Western Union Payments

Here’s a question:  If an already disabled health care system for the disabled is  further disabled by government intervention, does that mean that the health care system in question is completely disabled?  Or just partially?

If completely, perhaps it would qualify for benefits itself——

We would have to concur that the condition was permanent and stationary, however,  just like the worker’s comp physicians need to do before benefits can be issued.

But, of course, this ‘disabled system’  is a thinly veiled reference to the Social Security Disability process , and the joking about qualifying the system itself for benefits might be the only way to finally break through the mad circle of benefit denial, copious paperwork mistakes, policy disputes, and downright foot-dragging which slow things to a snail’s pace.

It appears that common sense is simply out of the question. And that our national health care debate is failing to consider some fairly large health concerns.  Just ask any disabled person waiting three years for benefits.  Or a veteran returning to a million plus backlog in the VA system.  Worker’s Comp?  Perhaps the worst of all, as professional collusion exists to waylay payments and medical services.

The real question would be…..who would regulate a new system?  Those whose interests are served by creating huge logjams by which to stretch out investor dollars?  Wait, that’s who regulates it now…….how about an independent panel comprised of a few non-partisan physicians, some business experts knowledgeable in creating successful streamlined systems, and throw in a few disabled people and a few injured workers?  The disabled and injured are there to provide a degree of reality—-you know, that which makes things real.

While we are hard at it, we might as well take a shot at the VA.  New regulators and managers.  That’s the ticket—–open up all hospitals and clinics to veterans for any treatment, and simply have the hospital or clinic bill the VA.  Why wouldn’t that work?  And for God’s sake, clean up those dilapidated hospitals!

Put a panel of veterans (who have used the VA medical system) with some more smart business folks, and some compassionate doctors—-and there you have it.  A system which works, and realizes that quality and success actually go hand in hand.

The ‘health care debate’ itself, as reported on with great regularity by the main stream media, has scarcely uttered on word about the broken Social Security Disability System, the Worker’s Comp medical system, or the VA.

There is enough reform needed in these institutions to start a whole new debate, which would doubtless encounter similar types of objections and baseless name calling.  This is called bi-partisan progress in the United States.

So, all of them broken.  Backlogs of millions of people, all waiting for medical or financial help.  Sometimes they wait for years, and sometimes they die waiting.  These systems are not part of  our health care?  All told,  billions of dollars are either wasted, squandered, or stolen every year from these coffers, and barely a whimper from our Congress.

The concern for the uninsured is appreciated, but how about a shout out to those who are hurt, and are forced to hurt more and more as the system fails them?  Absolutely, this is a health care issue, and needs as much attention as all the other issues being discussed nationally.  And yet, the silence is deafening.

If we don’t speak up, we won’t be heard.

Stay well,

Advocate

Get a FREE membership to The Disability Digest and learn absolutely every thing (you) need to know about disability

There are many shared experiences among the permanently disabled, including the difficulties associated with obtaining government benefits, both medical and financial.

This is but one example. Another would be the social changes facing disabled folks.  It just isn’t the same when one’s focus is altered, or time is limited—-relationships change, preventing, say, visits to friends or travel to as many places.

Unfortunately, too often, this results in the development of depression.  No matter how one slices it, any one condition which prevents the ability to work creates a conduit toward negative and disappointing feelings.  It is important to remember that, in all liklihood, a permanently disabled person simply is not responsible for the disabling condition, and ought to do everything possible to internalize this.  It is vital to overall health to not make matters worse by feeling guilt or assigning blame where it does not belong.

So, one plays the hand they are dealt.

Another shared experience is the accumulation and continuation of debt, at times from services or business arrangements made before becoming disabled.  And the debt goes on—the bills need to be paid, but a permanently disabled person, almost by definition, will be in a position of having access to less money.

Fortunately, there are government programs (and some private organizations) which may absolve the permanently disabled from certain debts.  A forgiveness of debt, if you will.

One specific example is the forgiveness and discharge of student loans.

The obligation to re-pay a student loan can be stressful, especially when knowing that one’s fixed income will always disallow payment of this debt.

As a general rule, a total permanent disability is an injury or illness which is expected to continue indefinately or result in death. In order to make things official, one must obtain a physician’s certificate attesting to the condition, and its result of permanent disability.

Once a person has the documentation, a conditional discharge can be granted for a period of three years from the time one is considered permanently disabled, then discharged permanently and expunged from financial records, without having a negative impact of one’s credit history, as compiled by the three large credit reporting agencies.

The following links will provide direct access to the Department of Education and the forms necessary to file for the discharge.

http://www.salliemae.com/after_graduation/manage_your_loans/borrower_responsibility/understanding/disability.htm

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/discharges.jsp

Advocate

Get a FREE membership to The Disability Digest and learn absolutely every thing (you) need to know about disability.

Have you ever wondered what to do after working hard for many years to support yourself and your family only to have an injury or illness suddenly rob you of your capacity to work?

If you answered, “Yes,” you’re not alone.  Thousands just like you have unexpectedly found themselves faced with this very difficult question…how to survive financially when a catastrophe strikes.   I’m here to tell you that there reliable ways to supplement your income and encourage you to attend this informative webinar on Wednesday, September 2, at 3:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (12:00 pm Pacific and 2:00 pm Central) to hear a real success story.

Michelle Toole will explain how she built a thriving internet business with little computer skills, limited finances, by working just a few hours a day.  This home business supplements her income and allows her to keep her Social Security benefits.

Michelle’s courageous story will provide for you a realistic understanding of what it takes to build your own internet business with step by step directions about how you can get started or expand your existing business.

Space is limited so reserve your webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/932859864

You can attend via your own computer (microphone and speakers required) or via telephone (toll charges apply). Additional directions regarding the conference will be sent after you register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/932859864.

Regardless or your personal situation, if you have an idea for earning money online or are thinking about various online opportunities, and have a strong desire to work from home to supplement your income without affecting your benefits, Michelle’s tips will help you advance these efforts.

This is really one story you don’t want to miss.

Regards,

Brian Therrien
Disability Digest

It likely comes as no surprise to many that the VA,  despite the government’s apparent efforts, continues to lack the necessary structure or management strategy to effectively deal with the medical needs of our veterans.

When you add Social Security into the mix, it just gets more confusing and frustrating.

The VA annually rates nearly 8,000 veterans as 100 percent disabled. Many who also seek Social Security disability benefits find themselves among the record 767,595 claims now backlogged in SSA’s hearings offices. At last count, about one in 10 were veterans.

“I can’t sleep, and I can’t work,” says one returning vet, who lives in the suburbs southwest of Portland. “How can being disabled be different for another government agency?”

No one knows how many vets rated unemployable by the VA get turned down for benefits by Social Security. But advocates for the disabled say the problem is widespread.

More than 100 members of Congress are backing bills in the House and Senate that would compel Social Security to accept the VA’s rulings on vets whose service-related disabilities prevent them from working.

“The problem is only going to get worse given all the people we have coming back from our current wars,” says Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., who introduced the House bill last year. “They shouldn’t be forced to fight the government for their benefits twice.”

And truly, when more agencies become involved, the problem just spreads out.  It does not get solved—just re-directed to some other bureaucrat who cannot make a decision.

It is beyond the pail to accept the moaning from the government agencies that there is not enough money in the system.  If we can bailout Bank of America to the tune of 45 billion, we can take care of our veterans, and do ourselves proud as a nation.  There are no excuses.

A friend, a proud Vietnam vet (three tours) developed leukemia last year.  Because he never had to use the Veteran’s benefit package, and never before applied for services, he was denied.  He died six months later.

Semper Fi.

Advocate

Get a FREE membership to The Disability Digest and learn absolutely every thing (you) need to know about disability

As we all hold our breath and await some miraculous health care reform, envisioning that time and common sense will prevail, and that true reform emerges, in an ideal form making full coverage available for all, including all the disabled and veterans,  with no worries concerning denial of service.  If you need a $60, 000 procedure which attempts to save or prolong your life, then you shall have it.

Quite possible a true pipe dream.

I hate to be pessimistic, but time and experience leads to that path.  Our adversarial political system, while intended as a balanced effort toward a truth, has evolved into a battleground driven by private capital and greed.

What possible collective good can come from that sort of behavior?

Regardless of how the health care issue gets resolved—-my guess is that any reform will be difficult, given the obvious power the dollar has over the decision making processes of many elected officials.  As long as that business arrangement is allowed to continue—-you know, downright back-room, smoke filled images of  deals benefiting the few, and punishing the many.

This needs to stop.  No more lobbyists.

In the meantime, there are methods you can use to reduce the cost of, say, your costs of visiting an orthopedist, or your dental expenses.    You know, all those items which never seem to be covered, and which you need the most?

And because it is important to stay as healthy as you can, especially if you have a disability.

So here’s an overview of the program.   Think of it as a tool you can use to lessen the expenses you need pay out of pocket, involving pro-active bargaining approaches to your provider, and auditing medical bills to check for over-billing or unwarranted charges.

And for those who would rather have the work done for them,  there are several large firms which, for a fee, will thoroughly audit your financial records and who have stellar reputation in saving money (in some cases, a lot) for a large percentage of their clients.  Links to these firms are included in this article.

This just shows how much of a problem medical records, and, say, hospital bills are:  we have all heard of the $6.00 aspirin or the $39.00 bandage.  Suffice it to say the faulty charges in the medical billing system seem to be built in, they are so prevalent. It pays to be diligent.

The correct procedure to try and reduce your costs to various medical providers requires your willingness to make an appointment with the front office manager, or billing department in order to explain your financial hardship.  Tell them how much you can afford, offer to pay in cash, and offer to fill out all paperwork in advance.  Be open to late appointments.  Be honest and agreeable.  Tell them you need them to work with you financially.  Many times, the providers are more than happy to accommodate you, as long as you keep your end of the agreement.  However, do not make the mistake and try and negotiate directly with the doctor.

Physicians typically do not handle that end of their business, and any attempt to bargain with them is considered an insult—–instead, deal with the people who attend to the charges—the front office or the hospital billing department.

David Whelan, a well known and respected writer for Forbes Magazine  has published an article in he which annotates and gives specific examples of the above outline.  I would encourage each of you to read this well thought out article. The links to the companies who will work with you on evaluating your medical bills are included in the article.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/21/health-medical-bills-lifestyle-health-doctor-bills-debt.html

As inflation is likely around the corner, if one can effectively predict the eddies and currents of the economy, it is always good to discover possible ways to save your much needed money.

Best of luck to all.

Advocate

Get a FREE membership to The Disability Digest and learn absolutely every thing (you) need to know about disability

An earlier post from this blog annotates the woeful and absolute outrageous treatment being heaped upon one of our members, Ron Markowicz, by the Worker’s Comp System, including his own attorney, whose firm appeared to be in collusion with the Insurance Carriers by ceasing all pertinent services to his case apparently driven by fear of potential corporate harm through future litigation.  No medical help for months.  No answers from the attorney—-only mis-statements.  No help anywhere.

As a former vocational counselor, I have seen this type behavior before—and it generally stems from a surgical mistake, then when an injured worker continues to complain, the first thought emanating from the Carriers, attorneys, et. al  is:

‘Stop the services!  Send out false information to the worker!  Make outrageous claims that the worker is not complying with the various service providers! Cover your ass!’

And ad naeuseum….the spin merchants, coupled with loss prevention departments of these huge insurance conglomerates begin to work their magic—–here’s what they do to a lot of people who might have a legitimate complaint:  they simply stop sending their monthly check.  No explanation.  Can you imagine the panic?

As it is, you are lucky if you receive two thirds of your normal salary while on the Comp System—and now, suddenly,  you have no money to pay for anything!  Most of the times, they will re-start the financial benefits, but not before causing the injured person to suffer further through stress by making them late for credit card or rent payments.   Add to it a nightmarish quality– I have personally heard insurance company rehab co-ordinators,  while at industry ‘functions’, exclaim great humor at how many  people they ‘put the screws to’ that week.

Folks, this stuff is industry wide, and it sickens me to watch it continue.  This should be considered health care reform, too, and the political writers seem to simply ignore the horrendous level of abuse perpetrated by the ‘business’ side of this system, while the person who is already hurt and suffering, suffers further at the hands of those who should be honestly assisting them to achieve their best level of  gainful re-entry to the work world. (or determine that will never be possible)

It should be obvious to all that creating an adversarial system, instead of a truly philanthropic, medically progressive streamlined system, the worst of all possibilities occur, where delays are normal, and communication among the providers is poor, at best.  Built for failure.

And, as all our members know, the Social Security Disability system certainly seems bad enough— difficult and hurtful at many turns.

At this writing, there over a million cases which are officially ‘backlogged’ in the Social Security Disability system.  Unless you take the  free course offered here at the Disability Digest, you can easily wait three full years before receiving benefits. (and that’s if you’re not backlogged)  Three years!  No excuse can be offered which might even approach credibility.

But the Worker’s Comp System—-if anything can be more problematic than Social Security Disability, it’s this damnable system in which Ron Markowicz continues to suffer.  But, some progress had been made.  There may be a ray of sunshine.

While I cannot comment on case specifics,  I can say that some advancement is being made on the medical side, as Ron’s original physician is only now re-activating his services to him, but still faces an uphill battle against a  stone-walling industry.

Also, due to many different and serious inquires to the Nevada Governor’s Office, there has been progress toward publicizing Ron’s case fully, exposing it for the utter disgrace it remains.  As it may involve the National media, his case could be re-opened, and the proper medical procedures enacted post haste.  These major corporations do not appreciate black marks against them, as stockholders are already nervous these days.

So, with enough pressure, Ron would immediately receive the attention he needs, and in the proper order,  which is vital in his case.

He is truly disabled, suffering the results of several breaks in his back from a serious fall while at work, then surgical mis-feasance resulting in pieces of metal floating in his back, now invading the surrounding soft tissue, creating intractable pain.

The link to the initial information in this case is a fairly long read, including my post describing the Worker’s Comp System, and the specific details of his case—then, a page of a well kept medical file which further elucidates Ron’s situation.  Again, if any readers have a golden rolodex, please forward this appropriately.

http://www.thedisabilitydigest.com/blog/235/missing-in-action-justice-for-disabled-injured-worker/

We continue to press our efforts towards resolving this unsettling dilemma, as justice should have it.  The overarching reality is: Ron’s case could be your own.  He did not violate any ‘rules’ and was always forthcoming with his medical providers and insurance carrier.  That was pre-surgery.

Today is a different story.

Best to all involved,

Advocate

john at thedisabilitydigest.com

UPDATE:  AS OF THIS WRITING, MR. MARKOWICZ HAS TERMINATED THE SERVICES OF HIS ATTORNEY, AND SUDDENLY, APPROVAL HAS BEEN GRANTED FOR AN’ EMERGENCY INJECTION’, TREATMENT WHICH HAS BEEN WITHHELD FOR THE PAST FOUR MONTHS. REAL MEDICAL TREATMENT NECESSARY FOR HIS SURVIVAL.  GREAT NEWS!

Get a FREE membership to The Disability Digest and learn absolutely every thing (you) need to know about disability