Applying for Benefits
| Multiple System Atrophy ravages a Corporate Vice President |
"Mary," a 57 year old vice president of computer applications at a major company, was stricken with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) at the height of her career. MSA is a devastating neurodegenerative disease marked by a combination of symptoms affecting movement, blood pressure and other bodily functions.
Troubled by rapidly deteriorating eye sight and cognitive problems, she came to Riemer & Associates for help with completing the complicated forms required by her insurer. We worked with Mary and her doctor to draft detailed statements describing the nature and extent of her disability. These statements helped prove to the insurance company that "Mary" was no longer able to perform her job duties. Mary was granted benefits. Riemer & Associates continues to work with Mary to ensure that her benefits are not interrupted.
| Interstitial Cystitis and Crohn's Disease disable a Retail Sales Manager |
"Lynn," a lively 43 year old sales manager at an upscale clothing boutique, struggled with the combined disabling effects of both Crohn's Disease and Interstitial Cystitis. Eventually, she had to stop working. On the recommendation of a satisfied former Riemer & Associates' client, Lynn contacted us to help her file for disability benefits under her employer's disability insurance plan.
One of Lynn's greatest concerns was that she had begun seeing a psychiatrist for depression resulting from the effects of her medical condition on her career. Since her disability policy limited benefits for depression to two years, she wanted to be sure that her physical disability was recognized to be the reason she was disabled. Riemer & Associates worked closely with Lynn's doctors to make sure that her insurance company was fully apprised of the myriad of disabling physical symptoms from which Lynn was suffering. It was made very clear that any depression was secondary to her illness and a result of the significant life changes that were forced upon her. Lynn was granted benefits by the insurance company and has received benefits well beyond two years. Riemer & Associates continues to work with Lynn to ensure that her benefits are not interrupted.
| Cardiomyopathy overwhelms a Senior Corporate Executive |
"Jerry," a 53 year old self-proclaimed workaholic, was a senior executive at a Fortune 500 corporation. As a result of his constant fatigue and shortness of breath, he no longer had the stamina for the twelve hour days and international travel required of his job. Jerry and his employment attorney contacted Riemer & Associates for help with Jerry's disability application.
Riemer & Associates worked with Jerry and his attorney to complete the employee portion of the benefit application. A meeting was held with Jerry's cardiologist to work through the details of a comprehensive report and opinion making it clear that Jerry could no longer work at his job. When the insurance company requested that Jerry attend an examination by another cardiologist, Riemer & Associates researched the qualifications of the cardiologist, met with Jerry to prepare for the examination and arranged for a nurse to attend the examination. The nurse monitored the examination and later created a detailed report which was submitted to the insurance company. Jerry was granted benefits by the insurance company. Riemer & Associates continues to work with Jerry to ensure that his benefits are not interrupted.
| Multiple Sclerosis ravages a Corporate Comptroller |
"George" was a 42 year old comptroller at an investment bank. He completed and filed his own application for benefits with the insurance company. When the insurance company requested that George attend an interview with one of its field representatives, George sought legal help and was referred to Riemer & Associates by another attorney.
The Firm met with George prior to the interview to help him prepare. We discussed questions that were likely to be asked and conducted a mock interview. George attended the interview with confidence. George was granted benefits by the insurance company. Riemer & Associates continues to work with George to ensure that his benefits continue.
| Heart Disease crushes an Attorney |
"Jeff" was a 60 year old lawyer suffering from a heart condition. He was a partner in a prestigious law firm. When Jeff contacted Riemer & Associates, he was still working but was becoming less and less effective. It had come to the point where he could no longer push himself. In fact, Jeff's doctor urged him to leave work months earlier.
The Firm met with Jeff and one of his partners and worked out an exit strategy for him to leave work. We helped Jeff and his doctors complete the insurance company's application forms. Jeff was granted benefits by the insurance company. He continues to receive them without interruption.
| Bipolar II disables a Chief Executive Officer |
"Jim" was a 62 year old chief executive officer of a nationally known nonprofit organization. Jim quickly rose through the ranks of various nonprofit organizations, but once he reached the pinnacle of his profession, he became afflicted with Bipolar II disorder. Although Jim could work at a less demanding occupation, he could no longer handle the stress and long hours required of his job as a CEO. Jim applied for partial disability benefits and found employment elsewhere as a consultant.
When the insurance company began questioning Jim in detail about the number of hours and the type of work he could do, Jim sought legal advice and retained Riemer & Associates. We helped Jim answer the insurance company's questions and helped him create a detailed comparison between the duties of his job as a CEO and the duties of his job as a consultant. The Firm was able to convince the insurance company that Jim was disabled from the demanding job of CEO even though he was able to perform substantial duties as a consultant. The insurance company awarded Jim partial disability benefits. When Jim's condition worsened, he was then awarded total disability benefits.