I work in a hospital and had to go out on disability August 17th. The reason was "substance abuse" which originated from a prescription anxiety medication I was prescribed Klonopin which is very addictive, and was on this medication approximately three years.in addition I was prescribed several other addictive sleep medications such as Ambien, and Lunesta and Fiorcet for my Migraine Headaches. After I had to leave work I went right in to Rehab and saw all the appropriate doctors. I promptly applied for Disability under the Auspices of the rehab Physician. After close to a month I received my first denial notice which stated "substance/drug abuse is not covered unless prescribed by a physician". This was their first stall attempt. The medication was prescribed. However I decided to play along. I wrote them a long letter describing the situation.in addition I provided the full year of pharmacy printouts which showed the ambien, klonopin, lunesta, and fiorocet.in addition my primary doctor wrote a letter stating he prescribed the ambien and lunesta and my Psychiatrist wrote a small note stating that he had prescribed the Klonopin for generalized anxiety. I sent this package via certified mail October 13th with high hopes and received my second declination on November 5th. This time their reason was completely outrageous and I know they are just trying to waste my time. They state "The diagnosis provided by my physician is generalized anxiety disorder and is excluded from the policy" The fact that I had Anxiety and was being treated with Klonopin in the past should have nothing to do with the fact that I was now claiming substance abuse as disability which they DO cover. I am not disabled from anxiety.in fact Since being in Rehab since August I have not been on any medication what so ever. I dont not think they can change my whole disability claim to "anxiety" because my doctor wrote I was being treated for anxiety in the past on a prescription pad. The doctor was just stating why I was on the Klonopin in the past. The Klonopin is what led to the substance abuse claim in august of no one was claiming anxiety as a disability. First Unum just picked those words at random and used them to deny me. I filled out all the legal appropriate forms and had the rehab doctor sign the disability forms stating substance abuse was my disability. NY state paid my disability. I have some meager sick time left from my Job but it is not enough to support my family. And it irritates me that through this all first Unum is still being paid every pay period and and not paying me on my claim. Now they say they want my full private medical records and I am not sure if I should give that to them. They already have enough information. I am not sure If I should now send my private information only to maybe be denied again or if I can get advice from your organization. It seems to me things are cut and dry. They state if I am disabled due to prescription medication I am covered. I proved that, and then they pulled out the anxiety thing which has nothing to do with my disability now and denied me. Thank you very much for any help you can provide. I cannot return to work until Mid December and will not be able to pay my Mortgage or other bills without the disability I am entitled to.
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