If you or someone you love is living with Parkinson’s disease, you’re probably considering your long-term care options. Parkinson’s long-term care needs vary from person to person, but it’s a good idea to be prepared.
Many families dealing with Parkinson’s disease have long-term care insurance policies—but that doesn’t mean that the policy covers everything. Sometimes insurance companies try to devalue or deny these expensive claims. At Jonathan M. Feigenbaum, Esquire, we guide families through these complicated issues—keep reading to learn more.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
While there have been significant advances in Parkinson’s disease research, there’s still a lot we don’t know about the disease. Parkinson’s is a disorder of the nervous system that impacts brain and motor function. What may start as hand tremor or stiffness can develop into a series of life-changing symptoms, including:
- Tremors or shaking
- Slow movements
- Balance problems and difficulties walking
- Rigid muscles
- Difficulties with swallowing
- Anxiety and depression
- Fatigue
- Concentration and memory problems
- Hallucinations
- Problems sleeping
- Speech issues
- Vision problems
- Chronic pain
While both men and women can develop Parkinson’s disease, men are one-and-a-half times more likely to get diagnosed.
Most people with Parkinson’s disease take a variety of medications—which may carry significant side effects themselves. Others with long-standing Parkinson’s undergo a brain surgery to alleviate and to reduce the disease’s symptoms. Currently, there is no cure for the disease.
When Is Parkinson’s Long-Term Care Necessary?
Some people can control their symptoms and live independently. However, as Parkinson’s disease progresses, long-term care options may become necessary. Muscle weakness, worsening tremors, and cognitive dysfunction can make it difficult for people with Parkinson’s to perform their activities of daily living (ADLs), such as:
- Safely walking and moving throughout their home
- Feeding themselves and preparing food
- Dressing and bathing themselves
- Using the bathroom
- Taking medications
- Making safe decisions
If your loved one can no longer care for themselves, it’s time to consider filing a claim due to Parkinson’s.. Depending on your circumstances, your options may include adult daycare, in-home services, and skilled nursing care at a long-term care facility or nursing home.
Will Long-Term Care Insurance Cover My Loved One’s Parkinson’s Disease?
If you already have a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, it can be difficult to find long-term care (LTC) insurance coverage. However, if your loved one planned in advance and already has a policy, you will need to take a look at its precise terms and conditions.
Long-term care insurance policies vary dramatically. Your loved one selected a plan based on its price, coverage, and other factors. However, many people are surprised to find that their policies—which are supposed to provide financial security—have numerous loopholes, vague terms, or strict limitations.
For example, many of the oldest LTC policies only cover facility-based care, not in-home services or daycare. Newer policies often have various coverages. As more and more people want to “age in place,” a nursing home-only policy may place undesirable restrictions on your options. Other times, the policy may strictly define your eligibility requirements for Parkinson’s long-term care.
What Should I Do if the Insurer Denies My Parkinson’s Long-Term Care Claim?
You should never assume that a long-term care insurance company’s assessment of your claim is correct. Some insurance companies place their financial interest above the policyholder and make an incorrect decision to save money. Most insurance companies treat policyholders fairly but not all. Parkinson’s long-term care is expensive—and if they can avoid paying a claim, some will.
At Jonathan M. Feigenbaum, Esquire, we represent families with denied long-term care claims and help them stand up to the insurance companies. We have extensive experience with insurance claims litigation involving medically vulnerable issues—and we provide compassionate, efficient, and aggressive legal representation.
Schedule a complimentary Appointment to Discuss Parkinson’s Long-Term Care
If your family has unanswered questions about a Parkinson’s long-term care claim, contact Jonathan M. Feigenbaum, Esquire today. Our team will help you understand your options—and we offer no-risk consultations.
