[jckgdig]

I live and am employed in Illinois.

In early July I suffered severe anxiety attacks and depression, including paranoia brought on by extreme insomnia. I was physically unable to go to work and mentally unable to perform my duties even were it possible for me to get to work.

I went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and was referred to a primary care doctor as I did not have one at the time. The primary care physician prescribed medication and referred me to a psychologist.

The psychologist was a typical modern psychologist, by which I mean quick to diagnose and prescribe more meds to address the symptoms, and not at all interested in dialogue to address the cause. Of course at the time I was in no state to realize any of this and went along with the "treatment". As I stabalized I quickly realized the cause on my own and took steps to address it which led me to being ready to return to work.

I paid the psychiatrist to fill out the paperwork required by my work and based on his replies (unable to work due to "XXXX", further treatment required, return to work unknown at this time", I was approved for FMLA leave. Payment would be through Met Life via short term disability.

The runaround then began.

Met Life faxed more paperwork to my psychiatrist, who again charged me to fill this out and I waited. Eventually doctor sent in paperwork (doctor blamed Met Life, Met Life blamed doctor for delay) and two pay periods went by with no check to me.

Eventually Met Life informed me that I was being denied because the psychiatrist wrote "did not removed XXXX from work as it is never our policy to tell patients not to work". This confused my employer as his earlier paperwork clearly stated that I was unable to work and his diagnosis by itself indicated non ability to work. Met Life said they could begin processing my claim as soon as I provided them with who took me out of work. They have paperwork informing them that I am unable to work for a medical reason, but I was already out of work when I went to the ER, Primary Care DR, and Psychiatrist and no one actually "removed" me from work in so many words.

I have two children and this is starting to affect them financially, and is causing me to experience severe anxiety again after coming so far. Would the statement from my psychiatrist not be enough to guarantee benefits? It seems they are trying to deny me based on semantics. I am now at 3 pay periods without a check and can't even afford the train ticket to get to work even when I am approved to go back, without my payments. I hope someone can give me some guidance.

Thanks,

JC

[twinkiedooter]

Now if you had broken you leg for instance you would have collected the short term disability. But based on what you said the dr filled out saying he did not tell you not to go to work is your big problem here. Unfortunately when it's an insurance company and a mental condition is involved the areas of payment get grey. Another way to wiggle out of paying.

You will somehow have to just limp by with hopefully some help from your friends and family financially.

Then after the dust settled if you can please consult with an attorney over this. It's only 3 pay periods and not 6 months so you are not out too much money but in this economy every nickel counts. The psychiatrist is to blame here and you may be able to sue him after you do return to work.