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Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.
Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

Following is a sample timeline for leaving work. To understand the context for the content, see:  Preparing In Case of Disability: Long Term and Preparing For Disability - Short Term

Sept. 13 -       

Doctor's appointment.

  • Review disability with doctor.
  • Make sure medical records support disability.
  • Ask doctor to write letter about medical condition and how it affects ability to work.

Week of Sept. 18 --

Get Summary Plan Description on all benefit plans:           

  • Health, Dental, Vision.
  • Life.
  • Long Term Disability.

Review definition of "disability" in each policy and benefit. Review whether health condition is "disability" for purposes of Social Security Disability Income.

Sept. 22 -       

Pick up letter from doctor.

Make appointment with employer representative for first week in October.

Sept. 23 -       

Write letter to give to employer along with doctor's letter. [See sample at FMLA]

Sept. 25 -       

Give Human Resources (HR) department my letter and doctor's letter.

Sept. 26 -       

Get claim forms from HR 

  • Short Term Disability Claim Form
  • State Disability Claim Form if your state has mandated short term disability insurance        
  • Long Term Disability Claim Form (tell HR: "I probably won't need it, but just in case….")

Ask for letter from employer confirming leave under Family and Medical Leave Act with exact date FMLA ends.

Sept. 28 --       

Meet with employer's finance person to make arrangements to pay (or actually pay) my share of benefits premiums.

Sept. 30 --             Last Day of Work.

Confirm with HR how frequently I should be in contact and how.

Week of  October 2 -    

  • Complete claim forms.
  • Meet with doctor and provide claim forms for doctor to complete.        

Pick up claim forms from doctor, copy them and mail by certified mail, return receipt requested or other means that provides proof of receipt.