company critical illness scheme - will i be covered with fibromyalgia?

clairet1961

Hi all

I am currently off sick from work due to my fibromyalgia being very bad. I have been off for 5 weeks now, and cannot see me going back anytime soon.
The company i work for has a 'critical illness scheme', and this starts after you have been off work for 13 weeks. The only way to see the wording of the policy document is to request it from the HR department.
If i request a copy now, will this go against me? I have a feeling that it might be better to request a copy or mention it to HR should i be off for more than 13 weeks.
I just want to know whether there is any chance of the scheme covering me should i be unable to return to work.
My dad had such a scheme and is now getting 75% of his wages after being off with stress for months, so i figure that my fibro might make me eligible for some benefit under the scheme?

Hoping someone can help:)

sunnyone

clairet1961 wrote: »

Hi all

I am currently off sick from work due to my fibromyalgia being very bad. I have been off for 5 weeks now, and cannot see me going back anytime soon.
The company i work for has a 'critical illness scheme', and this starts after you have been off work for 13 weeks. The only way to see the wording of the policy document is to request it from the HR department.
If i request a copy now, will this go against me? I have a feeling that it might be better to request a copy or mention it to HR should i be off for more than 13 weeks.
I just want to know whether there is any chance of the scheme covering me should i be unable to return to work.
My dad had such a scheme and is now getting 75% of his wages after being off with stress for months, so i figure that my fibro might make me eligible for some benefit under the scheme?

Hoping someone can help:)

Fibro certainly isnt a critical illness, no doctor will give you 6 months to live with fibro, are you joking or just trolling?

cit_k

Critical illness does not mean you have to be terminally ill, at least not in a critical illness scheme (unless your in a scheme that specifically states that). Things like alzhiemers, dementia, MS etc are covered under some schemes.

Check out a sample critical illness policy which covers what is listed under that scheme, obviously, different schemes will have different policies.

Example policy here.

Bear in mind though, even if you have something your scheme seems to cover, there is no gaurentee you will be covered, as many insurers use dubious tactics (similar to those used in benefit medicals) to deny claims.

bobajob_1966

cit_k wrote: »

Critical illness does not mean you have to be terminally ill, at least not in a critical illness scheme (unless your in a scheme that specifically states that). Things like alzhiemers, dementia, MS etc are covered under some schemes.

Check out a sample critical illness policy which covers what is listed under that scheme, obviously, different schemes will have different policies.

Example policy here.

Bear in mind though, even if you have something your scheme seems to cover, there is no gaurentee you will be covered, as many insurers use dubious tactics (similar to those used in benefit medicals) to deny claims.

You are correct - people seem to be confusing the term critical with terminal. I also agree that it can be difficult to get any payout, irrespective of the condition.

sunnyone

Critical illness can mean diffrent things but fibro will never be classed as critical, especially since it is not a diagnosis but a condition diagnosed by the absence of any other diagnosis.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

It is somewhat unlikely you will be covered. Nevertheless, it would make more sense to request a copy nearer the time, as it would seem to them that you are planning to be ill for three months or more, which could be a problem for you.

pwales_2

lol no ...esa will be hard enough to get!

chivers1977

If it is an Income Protection scheme or PHI scheme then you may be covered. I am currently claiming for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome which is neither critical or terminal under an Income Protection scheme that my company have when company sick pay finishes at 6 months sickness. Check with your HR.

clairet1961

Hi and thanks for the replies...it is payment protection not critical illness cover, it was my manager who advised me about it in the first place and she told me the wrong thing! I've been advised that my condition could be covered as it has resulted in loss of independence
I have spoken to HR and filled in some forms just in case i am off for longer as apparently it can be a lengthy process.

Thank you for your advice...can someone tell me what trolling is as i'm not sure what sunnyone meant in their post.

clairet1961

sunnyone wrote: »

Critical illness can mean diffrent things but fibro will never be classed as critical, especially since it is not a diagnosis but a condition diagnosed by the absence of any other diagnosis.

I had my diagnosis given by my consultant rheumatologist, after many other conditions were ruled out, so it is in fact a diagnosis.:p

lizzywig

OP I can't answer your questions but I just wanted to point you in the direction of this website which might help you deal with the pain you are experiancing. http://www.fmaware.org/

The founder is a family friend (she actually changed my nappies when I was a baby!) and she suffers from fibro extremely badly. When I have gone to stay with her in the states I have seen how it can disable her and some days she literally can't get off the sofa but she wanted to raise awareness and help other fybro sufferers so she started up the NFA. I hope you find the site of some help for you, I can only imagine what sort of pain you go through each day.