Carole:
   
     yOU SHOULD SEE A LAWYER

((((((((((((((((((Carole))))))))))))

I wish I had the answer for you.  I don't.  I've been through a lot the past
several weeks and don't even have the answer for what I'm going to do.

I just wanted you to know that you will be in my thoughts!!!!

debbie m.
http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/angels1/

((((((((((((((((Carole))))))))))))
Dang them red tape idiots! I am ranting for ya.
About the attorney thing can you find one that will work for you but will
only charge if they collect??? I do not know the whole situation but thats a
thought.
I agree with annie...put your feet up and relax a bit stress will make you
hurt. I am thinking about you !

RhondaM

Monday, first thing, call or visit the hospital where you were treated or
the cardiologists office or both.  Even if they can't help you they may be
able to hook you up with some kind of patient advocate or a disabled rights
legal group.

For starters they have absolutely no standing to just cut off benefits weeks
ago and not to notify you of this and to also notify you in writing of any
appeal rights you have.  Then get in touch with the insurance commissioner
for your state - online might be best for this.  And get in touch with human
resources where you worked.  They paid for or provided the policy right?

The above might not be the correct order to do things, but is does cover
some of your options.  They have really messed you over as by not telling
you at the time you may have lost some weeks of entitlement to unemployment.

I know right now you probably don't feel like you can even raise your head.
But once you can, then raise hell.  If you have a friend that is good at
yelling at people on the phone get them to come and help you out.

Oh, and check and see if you can get information on the insurance company
online as well.

Now I realize that doesn't even begin to make it all better.  And your body
and your medication have to programmed to feel hopeless and helpless right
now.  For that all I can send is lots of prayers and purrs and good thoughts
and good wishes.

Jo

{{{{{{{{{{carole}}}}}}}}}    It is total idiot week at
the insurance companies.
Duckie

Carole...It sounds like you have an idiot for a case worker. But if your
doctor will not release you to work...
Okay...When I was on STD...The doctor told them what my restrictions
were...Then the insurance company notified my employer who would then tell
them if they would allow me to come back to work. Of course my employer said
NO...So they had to continue paying me. Maybe the Doctors notes were
misconstrued...I believe that after speaking to him...A call from him to the
insurance company will be all they will need...
Now when I was on LTD...And they decided to I was no longer disabled...It
was a little harder...But in the end..The doctors came through for me. My OS
told them sure she can work by now...Not reading my file and remembering
that with my knees bone on bone...I could not stand on my feet on concrete
for 8 or 9 hours a day...So he notified the insurance company and made sure
they understood that all I could do is a sedentary job. My employer said NO
we can't use her...So I got my benefits reinstated...

Sending prayers that you get some help...
Cindy

((((((((((((((Carole)))))))))))))))

You are doing the right thing by calling your cardio's office first thing in
the morning.  From what you say, you have a good cardio who looks out for his
patients.  I expect he or someone in his office will call the insurance
company and read them the riot act.  See if it's possible to at least speak
with a nurse rather than just the receptionist and let them know how upset
and stressed out you are by all of this.  That will get them even more fired
up  ;)

If you don't get satisfaction after the doc calls (though I suspect you
will), then *quickly* call the local Legal Aid/Legal Services.  They will
take your case on a sliding scale - possibly without charge. Often a lawyer
can accomplish a lot without going to trial.  A couple of phone calls, some
medical records and/or a letter to the company may be all it takes.  

But call your doctor and let them know they are *forcing* you to go back to
work tomorrow.  Fireworks will fly.  It must have been really frustrating to
be told all of this on a Sunday when you can't get on to fighting it for a
while, but  I hope you got some rest so you can fight the dragons today.

Carole;

1 - hugs!!!!! Now breathe.

OK, your cardiologist's office should call and scream bloody murder, if they
are willing to. If the doc makes clear you are not cleared to work, the
insurance company may just backtrack on their own. If not -

2 - Is this disability coverage through the gov't or through private
insurance. How you go about dealing with it depends on what the source of
the funds are. There are different ways to appeal the removal of benefits.
You might want to consult a disability atty to see what your rights and
options are. There may be emergency relief funds from your state, or an
expedited state disability application that might help tide you over till
the dust clears. Check the phone book do see if there is a community
resources page. Usually there is a non-profit group for the disabled, often
including the 'phrase 'independent living' in the name. The can be a huge
fount of information (and understanding)

3 - If this is disability coverage from your employer, every insurance
company has either an ombudsman or patient advocate to begin an appeal of
withdrawal of benefits. The Human Resources dept of where you worked may
also help you with finding out the appeal process.  If they continue to
refuse and you still can't work, most states have a law which punishes
insurance companies for refusal to provide what they have contracted to
provide. That's when you get an attorney. The statutes usually provide for
attorneys fees separate from your award, so an attorney will usually take
the case without up front fees.

4 - If this is gob's funds being cut off, there are also many administrative
remedies open to you. But no one in the office is going to volunteer them.
You need to get the pamphlets of your rights under the program and read
those carefully. Someone at a non-profit specializing in the services to the
disabled should be able to help you with those. The local Legal-Aid office
may be a good place for a referral. Most do disability law, or farm it out
to other non-profits. I volunteered for such a place, though I handled
family law cases for them.

You are not powerless here. Things may not happen as fast as you would like,
but you are not powerless.

As for immediate help with the rent - eviction is a process which takes
time. SO as much as it is personally abhorrent to you to not pay the rent,
you won't be thrown out on the street immediately.

Also - If you are a member of a religious congregation, there may be funds
available within that community for just this kind of emergency.

Just some ideas.

Adelle

((((((((((((((((((((((((carole)))))))))))))))))))))  damn!  you sure don't
need this stress.  i sooo feel for you.  we went through hell with butch's
disability insurance, short and long term for awhile, too.  but that's
insurance companies for you!  that's what they get for employees when they
won't hire anybody with an I.Q. over 60! (i used to think it was only sears
roebuck that had that I.Q. requirement for employment.)

your doctor is the only one who can straighten them out and probably will do
so pronto!  i hope by now you've gotten a hold of him or his nurse and
they're handling it so you can relax, sweetie.

kate