Disability Happens ™

My husband has had Crohn’s disease for over 25 years. About 2 1/2 years he developed a rare disease called Pyoderma Gangrenosum. The best way of describing it is incurable ulcers that eat down to his tendon. It is systemic and chronic like Crohn’s. Mike has not responded to the medicines that are available. The condition is extremely painful, the fear is amputation if not controlled. Trauma makes it spread like ‘wild fire’.

We battled Cigna and PG for 2 years. Mike wanted to go back to work, so he would try. Cigna wanted to deny the claim, so they would try. It was an emotionally exhausting battle. Mike tried everything from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to injecting chemo into his belly once a week. (as he does now as well as Cimzia). Ultimately 4 specialist came to the agreement that the only way Mike will keep his leg is to stay on permanent disability.

Through this battle to find relief Mike also developed Vascular disease, a “massive” dvt. Besides Osteoporosis.

December 2009 Mike moved onto Long Term Disability. They notified of a review in March. Then denied his claim in May 2010 without notice. Cigna has been told by 3 specialist since November of 2009, that Mikes conditions are chronic and dibilating and these diagnosis’ will not change. They have been told that any trauma to his leg WILL lead to amputation. These facts were made aware to them yet again in May. They still chose to deny his claim. They have been made aware of his limitations. They have a colonoscopy report from 7/2009 proving that is Crohn’s is active, yet in May 2010 that was not “current” enough. They have said to him they look for “weight loss” to prove that Crohn’s is active. They also want labs for PG. According to their own medical encyclopedia, there are no labs for PG.

This company has lost DR. notes. (the colonoscopy report had to be faxed 3 times). They have ignored diagnosis’ and prognosis’ repeatedly. They do not return phone calls from us or our Dr.s. They have said they have phoned Dr.s when they have not.

My husband did not ask to be sick. He is only 45 years old and he loved his job. Cigna is a horrible company. If we knew this is how he was going to be treated we would have been better off burning the money he spent on premiums in the back yard.

Category : Bad Faith Stories