So today I am going to tell you what my husband did after CIGNA said he was in no, way shape or form disabled; even temporarily while he was to go on chemotherapy--which is what the CIGNA representative told him would happen--that he'd go on long-term disability. Yes, that's what she said to him over the phone in July, 2008.
To give you an idea of how bad Paul was last year, he had an MRI in June of 2008. By mid-July of that year, it was clear he was getting worse: headaches were severe, couldn't focus his eyes to read or watch TV for very long, taking steps was painful, his legs were either in pain or had that burning sensation, he slept almost all day, was irritable when he was awake and was, quite understandably, morose.
The MRI in July revealed 5 new lesions on his brain in one month. They were sizable lesions as well and this indicated that his MS was very aggressive. In fact, it was at this time he was given the new diagnosis of Progressive-Relapsing MS. [this diagnosis was not made until August 8, 2009] A new spinal tap still did not reveal the presence of the proteins that are sometimes, but not always, telling for an MS diagnosis. And it was even suspected that Paul may have Devic's disease--but thankfully, that test came back negative.
And then we get a call from a representative from CIGNA, by Ms. Anusha Chandrasekha. The offices of CIGNA:
12225 Greenville Avenue
Suite 1000
Dallas. TX 75243-9337
This is were it gets sick and evil. Now let me state that this phone call Ms. Chandrasekha made to him was really a preliminary interview about his state of disability. She didn't state that then. We found that out later. She did ask all sorts of questions about how he was feeling and what his symptoms were, but she did not state that this was a taped interview and therefore a formal inquiry. Which was fine but duplicitous nonetheless. Why not just come out with it? And she specifically asked if he was reading which we found odd.
CIGNA: "Well, are you relaxing, reading? What are you doing? How are you spending your time?"
Paul: "I can't read, it hurts and the only thing I can do is sleep. Everything else is painful."
CIGNA: "You can't read?"
Paul: "No, I can't focus my eyes to read."
She let Paul know that he was going to be now considered for long-term disability. She asked Paul if there were any new files or doctor's notes available. He asked her what was the date of the last notes she had. She said March. Paul said well, you are going to need the new notes as I have been re-diagnosed with another form of MS. [Actually, this was not the diagnosis yet, but the results of the MRI and the potential diagnosis of Devic's Disease]
Ms. Chandrasekha BALKED. "Oh, that's probably not necessary. We have enough information here to make a decision."
CIGNA was going to deny the coverage not matter what--we know that now--but to not want to make the decision with all the information possible, why? Because they simply were not going to pay my husband's disability claim Period. It's a game of numbers. It's not about your health. They don't care about your health. Or your family. They care about keeping the money to themselves and making Wall Street and their shareholders happy. CIGNA plays a big part in Fidelity funds. Keeping tabs of the revolving door of executives who leave CIGNA to go work at Fidelity and vice versa is interesting as well.
Health care in this country, as it stands now, is getting worse and worse and will become something only the very affluent will be able to afford. Either insurance companies need to be highly regulated OR we need to have a public option. We need reform.
Faced with chemotherapy, a soon to be suppressed immune system and other side-effects of the Cytoxan treatments, Paul had to go back to Fidelity to see if they'd give him back a job--any job. And keep in mind what I wrote above about CIGNA playing a big part in Fidelity Funds. So much for Paul's Boston College pedigree.
Next posting: An Open Letter to Abigail Johnson.
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