Lupus Walk
By Tai of Allsup
Do you know about lupus? If not, you’re one of the estimated 59 percent of people who has no knowledge of the autoimmune disease.
For those who don’t know, lupus is a chronic condition that can damage any part of the body. A breakdown of the immune system destroys the body’s healthy tissues, leading to inflammation and pain that can occur anywhere on the body.
Research from the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) shows that 1.5 million Americans suffer from the disease. For a disease that is so prevalent, surprisingly few people know even the basics about lupus. There’s no better time to change this than in May, Lupus Awareness Month. Some facts from the LFA website that struck me:
- As many as 40 percent of all people with lupus, and as many as two-thirds of all children with lupus, will develop kidney complications that require medical evaluation and treatment.
- Approximately two-thirds of people with lupus will develop some type of skin disease or cutaneous lupus.
- As many as 80 percent of people with lupus experience fatigue. For some people with lupus, fatigue is their main symptom and can be debilitating, even to the point of forcing them to stop working.
LFA has organized many activities in May to raise awareness of lupus.
Put On Purple: May 18
People across the nation will be handing out and wearing purple wristbands to support the cause, and on Friday, May 18, everyone is encouraged to wear purple as part of Put on Purple Day.
It’s an eye-catching way to communicate solidarity with the lupus community and provides a window of opportunity to teach others about the disease.
This year, Allsup is a national sponsor for LFA’s annual Walk for Lupus Now® campaign. The walks are taking place in more than 60 cities nationwide through November.
The events raise money for lupus research and bring those with lupus and their loved ones together to make their collective voices heard. They are shouting loud and clear that more research is needed to improve treatment options and ultimately find a cure. You can lend your voice by locating a walk near you and registering at http://www.walkforlupusnow.org/.
By Paul of Allsup
Medicare Part D was launched in 2006 in an effort to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors and people with certain disabilities.
But it had a catch: the dreaded “donut hole.” Until just recently, people who had Medicare prescription drug coverage paid 25 percent of their drug costs after their deductible was met and until their plan’s costs reached a certain dollar threshold. After which, they would be in the donut hole (also called the coverage gap).
While in the donut hole, those using just Medicare coverage (including traditional Medicare and Medicare Part D) paid 100 percent of the cost of their prescriptions until their costs reached a certain amount, called catastrophic coverage.
Then, their plan picked up the vast majority of the cost. The expectation was that those in the donut hole would switch over to lower-cost generics and equivalents. Not so.
Costs & Stopping Medication
A recent study released by the American Heart Association shows that Medicare beneficiaries in 2006 and 2007 who didn’t receive subsidies or extra help while in the donut hole were more than twice as likely to stop taking their heart medicines entirely—when compared to those who got help paying for drugs in the donut hole.
This study highlights one of the many problems Medicare seeks to address: many Medicare-eligible individuals simply choose to go without when cost becomes an issue. They may feel they can’t afford their medications, sometimes with drastic health and financial consequences.
As of 2010, the Affordable Care Act began closing the donut hole, which should be phased out by 2020.
From now until then, the plans, drug manufacturers and government will gradually pick up more and more of the cost of Medicare-eligibles’ prescriptions until the coverage gap is gone entirely.
Hopefully, this will make heart medicines and other prescriptions more affordable and improve the health of Medicare beneficiaries.
In the meantime, people on Medicare should remember to choose their Medicare coverage wisely. If you’re looking at a Medicare plan, be sure the medications you take are covered, that you’re still able to visit any “must-have” doctors and that you take into consideration not only your health but also your finances. Your wallet and your body will thank you.
Find more information about Medicare and your choices at Medicare.Allsup.com.
By Taryn Fort of National Stroke Association
Taryn Fort
National Stroke Awareness Month has been recognized during May for 23 years in the U.S. Yet, stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death, killing more than 133,000 people a year. Public knowledge of this condition we often call a “brain attack” is dangerously low. Further, many simply don’t realize that up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.
National Stroke Association’s public awareness campaign, Faces of Stroke, highlights the vast range of stroke survivors—from babies to people in their late 90s. Stroke does not discriminate against age, gender or race. Every person is at risk on some level.
The good news is that most stroke risk can be managed.
Follow these five easy steps to become better informed about stroke:
- Understand what can lead to a stroke. There are dozens of potential risk factors and combinations of risk factors. Some are controllable (high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, smoking, drug and alcohol use) and others are uncontrollable (age, family history).
- Score your risk. National Stroke Association offers an easy-to-use stroke risk scorecard online. We recommend that a person score their risk and bring the completed scorecard to a doctor’s appointment.
- Manage risk. Once personal risk factors have been identified, it’s time to commit to managing them. Lifestyle changes such as healthier eating and quitting smoking can be tough to adopt long-term. Medical changes such as surgical procedures and medication can be access challenges.
- Know how to act FAST at any warning sign of stroke. When stroke hits, you have to act FAST. Getting urgent medical care can significantly reduce long-term disability, but it all depends on a person calling 9-1-1 or arriving at a hospital in time. Memorize this easy-to-remember tool so you can act FAST and help determine if someone is having a stroke.
- F= Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- A=Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- S= Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
- T=Time. If you observe any of these signs, then it’s time to call 9-1-1.
- Share your newfound stroke knowledge with family and friends. The Five Faces Pledge is an easy and free way to tell five people you care about how to recognize and respond to stroke warning signs.
National Stroke Association’s mission is to reduce the incidence and impact of stroke, and it is the only national organization in the U.S. that focuses 100 percent of its efforts on stroke through education and programs on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support for all impacted by stroke. Learn more about how you can get involved at www.stroke.org/awareness.
Free Online Fair – May 16
Register for the National Stroke Association’s Virtual Health Fair, May 16, at http://events.unisfair.com/rt/stroke~vhf2012. The online event will feature webcasts with live speakers, quizzes to test visitor knowledge and booths distributing informative materials.
Taryn is director of marketing and communications for National Stroke Association.
By Tai of Allsup
It’s easy to forget that celebrities or those in the public eye are real people until a predicament or ailment surfaces. That’s when we realize that they are as susceptible to the slings and arrows of life as the rest of us.
Pat Summitt, 59, legendary coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team, has stepped down from her position less than a year after going public with her diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Summitt’s condition shatters the common perception that Alzheimer’s only affects older people. An estimated 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, which can develop as early as 30.
Experts say symptoms for early-onset Alzheimer’s are the same as late-onset, although the early-onset form of the disease progresses quicker. Summitt said it was last August when she began to be plagued by bouts of forgetfulness. The time it takes the disease to advance into a stage of disability is usually about five years. Because of how debilitating the illness can be, early-onset Alzheimer’s has recently been added to a short list of conditions eligible for fast-track SSDI processing—known as Compassionate Allowances.
Summitt, who has been at UT for 38 years, retired as the most successful coach in college basketball history. Taking on a new, more behind-the-scenes role with the team, Summitt has handed her coaching job over to former assistant coach Holly Warlick.
Nobody is immune to disease. While unfortunate, it is valuable when public figures such as Pat Summitt come forward. They remind us that though we must bear what ills we have, we don’t have to be ashamed or handle it alone.
By Ed of Allsup
Has your Social Security disability claim been denied, leaving you frustrated and confused about the appeal process? Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can be complicated and the appeal procedure can indeed be tricky. Some things you might like to know:
What’s the next step?
- If Allsup is your claim representative, if it’s an initial denial, we’ll appeal your claim to the reconsideration level.
- If it’s an initial denial in a state that skips the reconsideration, it goes to the hearing level. This happens in Alabama, Alaska, parts of California, Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania.
- If you are denied at the reconsideration level, your claim is appealed to the hearing level.
How long does the next appeal take?
- Generally, it takes about three to five months for the SSA to make a disability decision at the reconsideration level.
- At the hearing level, it may take anywhere from six months up to 18 months to schedule a hearing.
What are my chances at the step?
The SSA regularly reports their rates for awarding claims at each level.
- If your claim reaches the reconsideration level, the SSA approves disability benefits on a mere 12 percent of cases.
- If your claim reaches the hearing level, the SSA approves disability benefits 58 percent of the time.
Why was my friend awarded at this level but I wasn’t?
- No two claims for disability benefits are the same.
- Remember that you have specific information unique to you—your work history, past jobs, medical condition, treating physicians, medical records and more.
- The SSA follows strict guidelines when making decisions and review important factors: medical evidence from doctors, a claimant’s age and work history, and a claimant’s current level of functioning.
- Don’t compare your case to a friend’s, even if you have the same diagnosis, because their medical records and work history could be dramatically different than yours.
We know how intimidating and stressful the appeal process can be. You will have a better chance of getting your benefits and usually sooner if you have Allsup as your representative, especially at the application, reconsideration and hearing levels.
We want to answer your questions and not leave you in the dark. We’re here to help. If you don’t have a representative and you would like information about hiring a representative for your disability appeal, call (800) 279-4357. Find more information about the SSDI process online at http://www.allsup.com/about-ssdi/ssdi-process.aspx. If you’re currently an Allsup customer, you can find more details online by visiting Allsup Place.
Hear it comes again—the annual ride in the media (like Paul Revere) warning about the Social Security Trust Funds. We’re concerned at Allsup because our customers are extremely worried about their benefits.
What is going to happen to the Social Security disability program? It’s a question that I’m often asked. But it’s important to remember that lawmakers have acted in the past to make sure the programs continued.
Yes, there could be big changes. In 1983, a major milestone year for Social Security, adjustments were made to tax rates and the retirement ages. For example, the full-benefit retirement age was increased to 67.
For now, the Social Security Disability Insurance program is available to any worker who has paid FICA taxes and can no longer work because of a long-term, severe disability. So, apply if you are eligible and qualified to receive Social Security disability benefits.
If you feel strongly about what lawmakers should do to fix Social Security, then go ahead and tell them.
The website USA.gov gives you contact information for your U.S.senators and representatives as well as state lawmakers. Go to http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml.
Another step to consider is planning for your financial future. Whether you have a disability or not, it’s often easier to go day-by-day with your decisions and choices—and avoid looking too far down the road.
We’ve learned a few things from our years of helping claimants through the SSDI process and with their financial concerns. One is: it’s risky not to look ahead. When you don’t, the road can end up even rockier.
If you’re not sure if you’re eligible for SSDI benefits, call the Disability Evaluation Center for a free SSDI evaluation, at (800) 279-4357.
Jim Allsup
Too often, the emphasis on a person with a disability is all about his or her disability and not the person.
But let’s not forget that just because you have a disability doesn’t mean you don’t have many, many abilities, too.
Each year the White House recognizes extraordinary Americans as heroes in their communities with The Citizens Medal, one of the highest awards a civilian can receive. These honorees go above and beyond their regular, everyday activities to provide support and assistance to those who need it most.
Looking at the list of honorees from the past two years, I’m struck by how many of the couple dozen recipients work to support people with disabilities or who have a disability or challenges themselves.
Honorees include:
- Kimberly McGuiness, a true champion for deaf students who helped spur the passage of Georgia’s Deaf Child’s Bill of Rights and raises awareness and support for deaf education.
- Ida Martin, creator of Bluffton Self Help, which assists working families, residents with disabilities and senior citizens. In 2010 alone, the group provided food to 11,600 people and clothing to almost 9,000 people.
- Mary K. Hoodhood, paralyzed from a car accident, founder of Kids’ Food Basket, which provides meals to thousands of children in the Grand Rapids, Mich., area.
- John Keaveney, aVietnam combat veteran who overcame personal struggles to establish New Directions, a home for homeless and disabled veterans with addiction and mental health problems.
These folks are an inspiration to us all. They are everyday Americans from all walks of life making a remarkable effort to improve the lives of their fellow citizens. And I bet you know someone just like them.
This year, the White House is asking for your help to nominate candidates for this incredible honor, so click here to nominate a hero in your community today.
Do you have an everyday hero in your life who has a disability? Share your comments here.
Jim Allsup
The Social Security Administration (SSA) continues to make positive strides in helping those most in need by adding 52 new conditions to the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program this week.
Often dinged for their lengthy backlogs, the SSA launched the CALprogram in 2008 to streamline initial disability claims that clearly qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
I have been glad to see the program’s expansion. Counting yesterday’s additions, the list now includes 165 diseases and conditions, including certain cancers, adult brain disorders, early-onset Alzheimer’s and immune system conditions. That means some of the most severely disabled will move to the front of the line and can receive their benefits in just a couple of weeks instead of months or years. These additions will take effect in August.
It’s important to note that nearly one in 10 Americans suffers from a rare disease—and many rare diseases are severely debilitating. With nearly 3 million consumers applying for disability insurance each year—and an estimated 5 to 6 percent of all initial disability claims qualifying for fast-track assistance—it’s more important than ever to expand the program.
The bottom line is we need the SSA continue to expand this fast-track program for those unmistakably qualified for SSDI benefits.
The CALprogram provides important income to people with disabilities, and when it’s combined with the expert representation at Allsup, applicants can receive those benefits even more quickly and with less stress. That’s invaluable in such trying economic times.
Do you know someone affected by a rare disease or the SSA’s news? Share your comments here.
– Jim Allsup
By Tricia of Allsup
How financially savvy are you?
There’s no better time to ask yourself this question than in April, National Financial Literacy Month. It’s important for everybody to have the financial knowledge necessary to plan for the future, but it can be especially imperative for people with disabilities to take stock of their personal finances.
While you’re reflecting on your “money know how,” here are a few questions to help determine the extent of your financial literacy:
- Do you have an absolute understanding of your overall financial picture?
- Can you identify opportunities that may reduce your financial burden?
- Can you identify ways to prevent or minimize your loss of assets?
- Can you develop a budget plan for the future?
- Do you understand tax and other important considerations relevant to your situation?
The more questions you can answer, the more financially literate you will become. If you are disabled, you have additional questions to consider. This is why it’s important to fully understand the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) process and how it affects your personal finances.
For instance, if you received your SSDI award in 2011, do you know how to figure out the taxes on your lump-sum award? It may be a good idea to hire an experienced tax preparer to help determine what you may or may not owe. If you find a preparer with experience working with people with disabilities, they can actually save you money.
National Financial Literacy Month may remind you that you’re not as financially literate as you thought. It’s also a reminder to find the resources you need to plan and budget for your future.
You can find a wide array of resources, including financial planning calculators on Allsup’s website. Do you have other resources to recommend? If so, visit Allsup’s Forum or respond here.
By Adrienne of Allsup
Are you required to pay more for Medicare Part D? Some participants in Medicare’s prescription drug plan pay extra premiums because they have a higher income.
If you are one of those people, you need to know that if you miss a payment, it could cost you your drug coverage.
Starting last December, Medicare began sending reminders to people who were late paying what’s known as their Part D income-related adjustment amount (otherwise known as Part D-IRMAA).
Reminders and bills also were sent in January and February this year.
Most people who pay more for Medicare Part D have the additional premium automatically deducted from their Social Security retirement or disability checks. If this is you, then you have nothing to worry about.
But—if you’re one of the few who pays out of your own pocket and you’ve received notices from Medicare telling you that you owe income-related premiums, make sure you pay them.
Otherwise, starting April 1, you may lose your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
Avoid Disenrollment
If you’re disenrolled, not only will you not have drug coverage until you have the opportunity to re-enroll, you may have to pay a penalty because you weren’t covered.
And you’ll still have to pay your unpaid premiums.
So if you earn more than $85,000 as an individual or $170,000 per year, and you don’t recall paying additional premiums for Part D, be sure to check any documents you’ve received from Medicare recently. It could help you keep your coverage.
Do you have questions about your Medicare plan coverage? Would you be interested in knowing if you’re paying too much, or if there are other better options for you? If so, contact the Allsup Medicare Advisor at (866) 521-7655. You’ll receive impartial Medicare plan selection service and expert guidance on the choice that’s right for you.