Some medical conditions are easy to spot. If you slipped a disc in your back or injured your hands, for example, there are tests that can show the damage to your body — even when it’s largely internal.
But what about invisible disabilities? No matter what your specific diagnosis, chronic pain, dizziness, vertigo, crushing fatigue and nausea are symptoms common to many different kinds of disorders– many of which are entirely invisible to both the naked eye and medical testing.
Since insurance companies often demand objective evidence that you have a specific condition before they’re willing to admit that you might have a disability, that can be a real problem. Here are some ways to provide evidence that can overcome the insurance company’s denials if you’ve filed a claim under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA):
- See a recognized medical professional. It’s fine if you want to invest in alternative medicine, but you still need to see a regular doctor and the specialists appropriate for your condition. They’re most familiar with your diagnosis and can help document your progress.
- Maintain regular treatment. Going to your doctor’s appointments, taking your medication and trying different treatments goes a long way toward establishing the veracity of your claims. If you aren’t seeking relief, it makes the insurance companies question the severity of your condition.
- Keep a journal. Take it with you to your doctors’ appointments. Many conditions have “flares,” and you want to give your doctor a clear picture of how often you’re experiencing them so that it makes it into your medical records.
Overcoming the objections of an insurance company to get your ERISA claim approved isn’t always easy. An experienced attorney may be able to help.