One Woman's Frustration with LINA / CIGNA

Sixty-three-year-old "Lorraine," an anonymous blogger, tells a heartbreaking story about LINA insurance and a disability claim that went wrong.

One Woman's Frustration with LINA / CIGNA

Lorraine writes that she was employed in the health care industry for more than 20 years, during most of which she paid for a portion of her disability insurance with after-tax dollars.

"In 2007, I was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis of both knees and had to undergo bilateral knee replacements. CIGNA covered me for the short-term disability portion and long-term disability portion of my disability period. In December 2007, CIGNA offered me a back-to-work incentive, so I returned to work for my company in a reduced capacity. CIGNA continued to provide the back-to work incentive so that I was making the equivalent of my former salary."

Then, in the fall of 2008, Lorraine began to experience lower back and left groin pain, and writes that she could not sit for long periods or stand for more than 10 minutes at a time without experiencing severe pain.

"I had to use a cane for ambulation. X-rays of my hips revealed no cartilage in my left hip at all and severe degenerative osteoarthritis of the right hip with joint space narrowing. CT and MRI of the back revealed severe degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine from L2 to S1. I had three areas where the central spinal canal was severely compressed and areas of severe neuroforaminal narrowing."

Lorraine's orthopedic surgeon advised hip replacements. Her spine surgeon advised facet injections until after the hip replacements, and then possibly surgery. The 63-year-old woman—relatively young by today's standards—was on narcotic painkillers.

"Facing three surgeries and over a year and a half of rehabilitation, I opted for early retirement and let CIGNA know I could no longer work. I applied for and was approved by Social Security Disability within two months with no medical examination required. CIGNA continued to cover me until May 2009, my two year anniversary."

That's when things began to unravel. Lorraine says that CIGNA sent her to see an occupational medicine doctor for an assessment. The consultation, she writes, took all of 15 minutes. The verdict? Lorraine could work a full-time sedentary job.

With that opinion on record, CIGNA proceeded to deny the woman further benefits. Lorraine is in the process of attempting to have her benefits re-instated with the help of disability benefits attorney, adding that she has undergone one hip replacement and developed a postoperative wound infection.

"There is no way I can work in any capacity, yet this doctor, not even an orthopedist or spine surgeon, says I can work. I can barely walk with a cane. This was totally unfair and has caused extreme economic hardship for me."

One Woman's Frustration with LINA / CIGNA

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