Resource Center

The 10 Most Damaging Myths About Alcoholism

Sep 1, 2015 in Articles by

In this month’s edition of the Missouri Physicians Health Program’s newsletter, Shelby Hendrix described The 10 Most Damaging Myths About Alcoholism: The Only Way to Get Better is to Hit “Rock Bottom” Drinking Culture is Harmless “You have a job, you’re not an alcoholic!” Willpower Alone Can Stop Addiction Controlled Drinking is Possible Everything will be Perfect Once You Stop Drinking Treatment is the Magic Cure Alcoholics Must go to AA Sobriety is Boring Getting Sober is Impossible To learn more about each of these myths, read the September 2015 Newsletter of the Missouri Physicians Health Program.

Sixth Circuit Reverses District Court Ruling Affirming a Partial Denial of ERISA Long-Term Disability Benefits

Aug 24, 2015 in Articles by

Melissa McKenna worked as an Administrative Assistant at Dow Corning Corporation where she received Long-Term Disability (LTD) group coverage provided by Aetna Life Insurance Company (Aetna). Ms. McKenna suffered from low back pain for many years, with a bulging disc first revealed in a 2010 MRI. Even with a bulging disc, Ms. McKinna continued to work until March 2012, when she was admitted to the hospital with a high pain level. Ms. McKinna was admitted again in April 2012 and began a treatment regimen with a pain management clinic, surgical injections, physical therapy, and treatment with a neurosurgeon, rheumatologist, physical […]

Virginia Medicaid Plans To Abandon DSM-5

Jun 22, 2015 in Articles by

WHAT EFFECT WILL THIS HAVE ON MEDICAL PROVIDERS? Virginia Medicaid has announced it plans to abandon DSM-5 in October when the switch from ICD-9 to ICD-10 diagnostic coding takes place. Virginia is the first state to announce such a move. It will be interesting to see if this move causes other states to do the same, and the subsequent affect this has on all medical providers. Read more from Behavioral.net Related Articles BREAKING: Virginia Medicaid abandons DSM-5

9th Circuit: District Court Applies Incorrect Standard of Review to Long-Term Disability Review

May 7, 2015 in Articles by

The Ninth Circuit recently found the District Court for Northern California improperly reviewed MetLife’s denial of long-term disability benefits for plaintiff Matthew Prichard1. When a disability plan gives the plan administrator discretionary authority to determine a participant’s eligibility for disability benefits, a district court must review the administrator’s decision for abuse of discretion. Otherwise, the district court is required to review a plan administrator’s denial of benefits under the de novo standard of review. The de novo standard of review requires the court to look at the facts from the beginning, without giving any weight to the administrator’s determination. In […]

Sixth Circuit Reverses District Court, Finding Long-Term Disability Beneficiary Entitled to Cost of Living Increase

Mar 31, 2015 in Articles by

On March 25, 2015, in an unpublished opinion, the United States Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit, found that Michael Stiso was entitled to a cost of living adjustment with regards to his long-term disability benefit. Mr. Stiso had been receiving long-term disability benefits under his employer’s disability insurance plan and believed he was entitled to a seven percent per year cost-of-living adjustment as described in the long-term disability plan and summary plan description. The Sixth Circuit, in reversing the District Court’s ruling, stated By providing plaintiff with a summary plan description that led plaintiff reasonably to understand that he would […]

The Sixth Circuit U.S. Court Of Appeals Rules That An Insured Is Not Entitled To Disgorgement Of Profits Under ERISA

Mar 9, 2015 in Articles by

In a long running legal battle over an insureds long-term disability benefit, the full Sixth Circuit ruled last week that Daniel Rochow’s estate was not entitled to a disgorgement of profits in relation to benefits due on Mr. Rochow’s behalf. By way of background, Daniel Rochow filed a claim for long-term disability benefits in 2002 with his carrier, the Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”). LINA initially denied Mr. Rochow’s claim for disability benefits. Mr. Rochow proceeded to appeal and LINA proceeded to uphold their denial three more times. Finally, in 2004, Mr. Rochow filed suit in the United […]

Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Terminated Long-Term Disability Claimant with Fibromyalgia

Feb 19, 2015 in Articles by

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, the Plan Administrator for the ERISA-governed Long-Term Disability Plan for employees of Eli Lilly and Company (“Lilly”), terminated former Human Resources Director Cathleen Kennedy’s Long-Term Disability benefits once she entered the “any occupation” definition phase of the disability plan. Ms. Kennedy suffered from fibromyalgia that had been long established through her regular medical care and prior Independent Medical Examination’s performed at the request of the Plan. Following termination of her disability benefits, Ms. Kennedy filed an administrative appeal with Sedgwick for reinstatement of her benefits. As part of the appeal process, Ms. Kennedy underwent an Independent […]

California Federal Judge on Monday Said Kaiser Could Amend Its Answer to an ERISA Complaint

Feb 13, 2015 in Articles by

U.S. District Judge Samuel Conti on Monday granted Kaiser leave to amend its answer in an ERISA lawsuit brought by retired cardiothoracic surgeon Thomas Gonda. Dr. Gonda was seeking benefits and damages following termination of his long-term disability benefits. The parties had previously entered into a settlement agreement that Kaiser used as a basis for seeking summary judgment in the present case. Judge Conti previously ruled that Kaiser must amend its complaint if it sought to use the settlement agreement as an affirmative defense. As Courthouse News Service notes: Conti granted Kaiser leave to amend its answer on Monday. “The […]

What Are the Risks for Physician Suicide?

Nov 14, 2014 in Articles by

The November 2014 edition of the Newsletter of the Missouri Physician’s Health Program highlights a recent Vanderbilt study on physician suicide risk. “[The] recent study done by Vanderbilt University of 141 Tennessee physicians evaluated for fitness-for-duty assessments found an “astoundingly” high rate of suicide if the physician was 1) found unfit to practice, 2) was in solo practice, or 3) if he/she was taking benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety drugs).” Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Medical Director of the Vanderbilt Comprehensive Assessment Program, Reid Finlayson, M.D., said, “Being found unfit for practice means a loss of income, loss of social contact and […]

You Must Exhaust All Administrative Remedies Before You Can Sue Your Disability Insurer

Sep 2, 2014 in Articles by

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals recently reaffirmed ERISA’s requirements that when your Long Term Disability benefits are denied or terminated, you must follow your plan’s rules for administrative remedies before you can bring suit against your LTD insurance company. ERISA requires LTD insurance carriers to provide you with the opportunity to appeal your claim administratively to the insurance company. ERISA also requires the company to notify you of this right to administratively appeal before you bring suit against the company. Generally, the Summary Plan Description, i.e. the document that summarizes your policy for you, should contain the requirements for […]