Aetna Disability Insurance

You pay for STD benefits every paycheck, but when you are in need for reimbursement, Aetna (my insurance company from my work) will simply not pay it. Their Motto is to deny it no matter what. Their customer service sucks. My wife was involved in an accident last year in August and suffered lower back injury. She was suffering from acute pain in the back which was radiating to her legs. She had to take strong pain killer and went through months of physical therapy.

After supplying tons of documents from my doctors which clearly indicated that I was unable to work, Aetna denied it based on disability claim not supported ground. My wife had to make numerous visits to doctor office to get the paper work they requested, but every time it was same lame answer that the disability is not supported. They denied it the first time; we again supplied some more documentation from my wife's doctors and filed an appeal which was aging denied. The run around that Aetna gave us on top of the pain and suffering that my wife was already going though is beyond description. I don't understand when a specialty doctor has stated in writing that the patient is disabled along with numerous supporting documents what else one could possibly provide to support the disability.

It took them over five months to review the appeal still with the same explanation that the disability is not supported. They simply don't want to pay you the money. I wish there were laws that would prevent insurance companies like Aetna to harass customers and stop these malpractices. They are just in business of making money at the expense of their customer.

I have been on a short term disability starting August 2011 thru January 2012 for a medical issue that required surgery in December 2011. This was not work related. I have never had an interruption in my disability payment due to providing all info they asked for in a timely matter. When asked for tell December 2011 they stopped paying due to not receiving my attending physician statement, but in fact it was faxed one month earlier on November 2, 2011. I have the proof it was faxed twice and received. I feel they intentionally stopped paying me as harassment two weeks before Christmas and made it so difficult and made my family suffer thru the holidays with no income for a month before it was reinstated with back pay.

I was in contact with them everyday and got nothing more then the run around. Not one letter or a phone call from them to inform me that the info wasn't received; they just stopped sending my check. I called them one hour after every fax to confirm they had received and they said yes. This resulted to loss of income for the month of December 2011. They ruined my family's holiday season this year due to the fact we had gifts on hold at stores and we had no income to pick them up. I'm unable to pay mortgage and bills. Phone was shut off. I was post surgery 4 weeks when this all happened.

I was not switched over to LDT from SDT in a timely matter; then my LDT rep was as rude as possible. It took 4 months, 3 surgeries, and I'm still not approved when they had no problems taking the money out of my check on a bi-weekly basis. They are not Aflac for sure.

My wife became pregnant and was told by Aetna that she would not be able to get short term disability because for the year 2011 signed a waiver to not accept it, however she will take it for 2012. They claim it's too late to be covered by STD when she delivers the baby in mid January of 2012 because she got pregnant in 2011.

Ladies and gentlemen, the way they treat us directly reflects how much they want to help. The saddest part of the whole health insurance industry is their unspoken motto, "Assume the employee is lying". This type of attitude is the thorn in America's back. I'd love to see what happens when one of the paper-pushers on the other end of the phone gets hurt and needs to go on disability. I wonder how many of them even use Aetna as their health insurance provider? There needs to be a government agency above them to control their actions. In my circumstance, I had all the proper documentation of a back injury. X-rays, two separate doctors, chiropractor logs and this woman Angela, with a friendly tone of voice (false, she was rude), had the nerve to tell me she needed more? I just have to laugh it off.

August 4, 2011

RE: Group Control #: ** Employer: Sunrise Senior Living

Please explain to me how an insurance company like Aetna is allowed to commit fraud and steal people's money and yet suffer no consequences and be allowed to continue their deceptive practices?

Aetna took money from my paycheck for LTD that I chose to purchase. When I went out on injury, they have fought me tooth and nail ever since. And now they have said that they think I can work, even though my doctor says I cannot. Why is Aetna allowed to practice such deception and thievery, yet thousands of people are locked up annually because of insurance fraud?

After two years of receiving $245 a month (it is the difference from my workers comp claim), Aetna has decided to cancel my payments because (as the lady from Aetna put it); If I can answer a telephone, I can work. This also comes one month after Aetna sent my doctor a form asking my capabilities and limitations, and he clearly wrote: "Unable to work at all."

Yet Aetna has decided that I can work.

This is illegal, unethical, fraud, corrupt and bordering on criminal. How can your office sit back and allow an insurance company to operate like this? How can you allow an insurance company to fraudulently deduct payments from a person's paycheck, and then deny that person what he paid for? How is Aetna allowed to give medical opinions when a medical professional states otherwise.

Under criteria for continuation of benefits of the Aetna agreement it states: "You must provide objective medical evidence that you are unable to perform any reasonable occupation for which you are qualified." On the capabilities and limitations form sent to my doctor from Aetna, it clearly states that I am unable to perform any work. Does this not meet the criteria?

Aetna has attempted to deny this claim for different reasons for two years now. I have listed all the cases opened against them below. Thankfully, I have sent every questionnaire and response back to Aetna via certified letters and kept the receipts. They have stated five times that I never sent forms back, or my doctor didn't fill out the proper items. When it was proven we sent them back, they suddenly discovered that we did in fact send them back and fill them out correctly. They have attempted to deny my claim on the basis that I am able to write, so I can work. They have tried to deny it on the basis that I have children at home and must be caring for them. On one conversation, the woman from Aetna even stated that she would deny my claim because of things printed on the Internet.

I have dealt with 17 different people handling my case, I have been called a liar by Tom ** of Aetna on 9/17/09, I have been threatened by Jennifer ** of Aetna 8/27/09. About ceasing my payments, I have been told I was faking by Jamie of Aetna on 8/21/09, I have been told I haven't sent paperwork back by Robin on 7/27/09, and spoke to a man named Todd four times only to be told I never spoke to him.

I have been told by two surgeons, as well as Aetna's own choice of doctor (an IME Aetna sent me too), that my condition is permanent. I have done everything Aetna has asked. I have gone anywhere Aetna has requested.

Aetna is committing nothing other than fraud. They have countless complaints throughout internet boards about this same matter (several listed below) and are allowed to continue their deceiving practice by ripping off the American public. I will not stop posting this letter to every site, every board I can find until the public is aware of the way Aetna conducts business. They are committing fraud and you are allowing this to happen. There is no other way this can even be mistaken when your doctor says you are incapable of working, yet Aetna says you are so they can stop paying you.

Anyone even thinking of going through Aetna for anything should be aware of the deceitful games they play. You are NOT protected if you have Aetna Insurance. Read all the complaints below. Search the internet for thousands of others. It is not just me that Aetna is ripping off. They should not be allowed to practice such illegal activities.

Sincerely,

Robert

Aetna, through Ball Aerospace, was responsible for having my disability and my insurance health coverage dropped and also was responsible for having me involuntarily terminated from my job because of their over the phone examination. I was terminated from my position at Ball Aerospace while I was on disability leave and was at the time considered a full-time employee.

Aetna is the worst insurance that I know of and hides behind Ball Aerospace in its excuses for not providing coverage and also for their involvement in terminating me for getting sick. Because of my health issues, I believe Ball Aerospace, along with Aetna, hope I die before any of this gets resolved which is the same as murder. If you get sick while at Ball Aerospace, expect to die if it is serious it's what Ball Aerospace and Aetna want.

We're now on CICP and have numerous hospital and doctor bills that have occurred before Aetna and Ball Aerospace involuntarily terminated me because Aetna was refusing to cover any medical expenses, even when I was not fully disabled.

I am a UPS driver and have been employed by UPS for 19 years. I have been out of work for two months due to back problems and I am fed up with dealing with Aetna, my insurance provider. The representative, Mellisa, that I deal with is really difficult. You would think these people would be understanding and helpful to see you through a difficult time but on the contrary, they just make it extremely stressful by the constant pressure and harassment to get all this ridiculous paperwork. They are always threatening to terminate my benefits.

Mellisa had called my house and cell phone as early as 6:40 am. She asked me for paperwork from my doctors. They supplied her with what they can and apparently, it's not enough or not complete and needs more specific info. She informed me my claim will be denied, she had even been so ridiculous as to ask me when my next appointment will be while I'm still waiting to do an MRI. I told her I'm sure that when the MRI results are in, they will schedule an appointment. But she insisted I should know when the next appointment is. I feel they are just looking for an excuse to come up with a reason to not pay my insurance claims and terminate the coverage.

My doctor placed me on a medical leave of absence on 12/9/2009 and I am presently still on medical leave. From 12/9/2009 through 6/9/2009, I was approved for a paid leave of absence after I appealed the first denial of my claim. From 6/9/2010 to 12/2/2010, I was denied for LTD despite several forms, notes, exam findings and clinician documents provided.

After the denial, my doctor spoke with a manager and myself who confirmed that she believed that a big mistake was made on my case and that she would re-open the case, review the information and assured us that the decision would be overturned and funds would be provided within a few days from the date we spoke, which was12/3/2010. It took Aetna six months to deny my Long Term Disability claim and I have not received any funds to handle my finances through present.

Aetna has denied my claim for short-term and long-term disability. This denial of benefits is based on impossible circumstances that Aetna has designed to ensure that they are able to avoid paying benefits to otherwise eligible individuals. More specifically, Aetna Inc has denied my claim for short-term disability based on the requirements of long -term disability. I was informed by my case manager Tiffany *********, my short-term disability claim was placed with my long-term disability claim and since Justin ****** was reviewing it, there was no point in her reviewing the claim.

I was told by Justin ******, "We are not denying that you are disabled, you just don't meet the requirements for long-term disability." I only received this much information from these two employees after calling and leaving numerous messages. Despite being separated from my employer at the end of my FMLA and the termination of my medical benefits, I have done everything within my power to provide the required medical documentation to Aetna. I had to change therapist due to lack of insurance and go to the local Crisis Intervention center in order to receive my medications.

Aetna's response to this was that I was inconsistent with my treatment although my prior visits to my medical provider were covered. All the while, I am experiencing increased levels of difficulty because my disability payments were my only source of income and way of paying for medical treatment and Aetna was denying those benefits. Aetna has disregarded the concerns of multiple medical providers in regards to my ability to return to work. In the final denial letter, the reasons for my denial include but are not limited to; functioning cognition, no display of self destructive behavior in the presences of therapist and information was reported by patient.

My understanding of this is that I am being denied benefits because I can count forwards and backwards and read and write, I didn't cut a chunk of my hair out in front of my therapist and I am a liar. I have been unable to focus on recovering from my condition due to Aetna's inability to abide by their mission statement and serve their customers with integrity. The treatment and service that I have received from this company has instead caused my situation to worsen due to the additional stress.

When I be came disable my pension company was giving an incapability supplement in with my retirement.I was receiving this supplement until I either begin receiving a Social Security disability benefit or reach age 62, whichever is first to occur. My Social Security was awarded effective June 01, 2006. In a letter from Aetna dated September 07, 2006 states that my pension company will discontinue my Incapability Supplement effective September 01, 2006.

Needless to say Aetna fail to let my pension company know about my social security award thus causing me to an overpayment of over 22 thousand dollars. I spoke to Lisa from Aetna on March 01,2010 and after she went back and starting checking she told me that she did not see my name on the spread sheet which they send over twice a month to my pension company(Dupont).

work with me in reducing the amount they were deducting from my retirement check. I would like for Aetna to repay this overpayment since it was clearly their mistake.

so as of now they are not paying my claim because they said I don't have a dissability form sent from the doc, I have had some success in the past when ever I have cronic flare ups with aetna but It seems now they are playing hardball, I was born with this disease. Now that I need help they said no doc forms were ever recieved. There must be some justice out there some where. Can't pay rent, car note other ins bills, and all of my utilities at this time, I am far behind on bill Its depressing to even type this.

I worked for Combustion Engineering, a company was bought out by Asea Brown Boveri, then bought out by Alstom Power, for 22 years before having to take disability due to multiple sclerosis (M/S) in August of the year 2000. Knowing I had this illness caused me to purchase the option of Long Term Disability (LTD) when the time came around for us to renew and purchase our benefits. The LTD said that I would receive 66-2/3% of my salary should I become disabled. Due to a 6-month waiting period I started receiving what I thought was the difference between my Social Security Award of $1,525 and 2/3 of my salary, which was $1,045.63 from my LTD provider.

Every 2 years I would receive a letter notifying me that they needed to verify I was still disabled and paperwork supporting the fact was needed to be filled out by my doctors. I complied, went to all my doctors, had them fill out the necessary information, answered all the questionnaires and returned them well before the deadline. I would always send out the requested information via certified mail to guarantee they received it. Everything was as it was supposed to be until June 10, 2009.

In June of 2009 I received a letter from Kemper Insurance Companies stating that they were offering me $55,996.00 to terminate my LTD coverage. Even though it is not Aetna, apparently Kemper got involved in order to end any coverage for another company (please see page 1, in a circle at the top of the page). I computed how much I would be given should I stay right where I was and the difference was over $100,000, so I declined their offer. After this I received in the mail from Aetna per Rochelle Veal (see page 3) that it had come to their attention that an overpayment had occurred.

As a result of the overpayment I owed Aetna $21,666.00, and if payment was not received by Aug. 2009, all future benefits will be credited towards the overpayment until the balance is paid in full. About a week later I received a request (see page 4) to fill out a LTD Resource Questionnaire even though I had done that just one year ago. I filled out all the requested information and mailed it in by certified mail again. I got the card back from the post office saying they had received it, but then later in July I got another request (see page 5) to do it again. So then I called Rochelle ** and she said they never got the copy that I had receipt saying it was received. She said it was not necessary to fill out another one. I asked if I could have a copy of how long it would take to pay off the said debt, so she mailed me the letter (see page 6).

In Dec. 2009 I received yet another request to fill out information so I tried calling and talking to Rochelle again. I was told Rochelle was no longer on my case but (see page 7). Natalie, with a different extension number, would be the one to talk to. I tried reaching Natalie at the extension and I was told by their personnel she was no longer on the case but Maribel A. was. I did get through to Maribel A. and she told me they never received the information I sent and would have to send it again. I had the information faxed directly to Maribel A. as well as sent via certified mail again to ensure that they somehow got it. I called Maribel A. again and tried to see if I could get a copy of where they got their numbers from, and she told me that they refigured how much I was making at the time I retired and that the figure of $49,000 was wrong and should have been $40,932.

So even though the policy expires at age 65, they would still not be paid back. Then I received another request from them for a medical release in Jan. 2010 (see page 8). I called again and again, getting hung up on, call back not getting through to the correct people and not able to talk clearly with the people I need to. I have a copy of insurance they issued to me which was one times my yearly salary and a pay stub that shows how much I made bi-monthly (see pages 9 and 10). All this has been done without me knowing anything about it and not giving proof that what they are saying even has any merit. I live on Social Security alone since my M/S has not gone away. All the stress it has given has been too much and I get exacerbation more often.

So all in all it boils down to a matter of numbers: they say I only made $40,932 and I say I made 45,309.60. This was my base pay before any bonus or stock options or anything was added to it. I get that by taking my bi-monthly pay ($1887.90) and multiplying it by 24 payments for a year. 2/3 of that pay is 30,206.40. Divide that by 12 to get my monthly pay and it equals $2517.20. Subtract $1,525.00 that I was getting from S.S. and you get $992.20, which is what I should have been getting per month instead of $1045.63. So by subtracting $992.20 from $1045.63 means I was overpaid by $53.43 per month. If you multiply that by $120 for over 10 years the difference is still only $6411.60, not the $21,666.00 plus the $48,000 they say I owe.

I had been receiving LTD benefits from Aetna for 10 years. I received $1045.63 month after month to help with my bills. It was what was due to me after paying into it all those years. Then in June of 2009, they decide they have been paying me too much from the beginning till now and I owe them over $67,000.00 It was stated when I became disabled due to my M/S that the best proof of my disability was S.S. I still get S.S. fortunately but Aetna has found a way to screw me out of $1045.63/mo. And all this is legal. Aren't we a government "by the people and for the people"?

Ms. M. has withheld $7,464.39 of my disability checks from Oct 09 - Jan 10, claiming a motor vehicle accident settlement of $20,000.00 as income. The entire amount went to pay the attorney and the doctors who treated me, no income to me. She also has claimed an annuity withdraw of $10,316.00, that was funded by my wife through a new mortgage on our home. The mortgage is solely in my wife's name. She plan's to withhold approx. $500.00-$700.00 every month until Aetna collects back approx. $ 16,000.00.

I have started the appeal process with them & with Delta Air Lines. This could take months, if not, years. Please help me deal with this woman and her supervisor, Phillip S. Through my auto attorney, I was warned in 2007 that Aetna was setting me up to loose my benefits by forcing me to provide my entire tax returns for 3-4 years and all doctor notes and any and all documents pertaining to my case, which most of it they already had.

I have spinal Stenosis Lumbar decompression fusion L5-S1 with PLIF and began short term disability after 7 day waiting period. I submitted all required paperwork and followed up with doctors office and Aetna to make sure. I have followed up with work and Aetna at least 2 times per month. My last visit to doctor was November 17 and stated off work until Feb 12 2010 with physical therapy and tens unit. I was notified by Aetna on December 11, 2009 that my case was under review and I would not get paid. I was told results would be on December 18th. I called several times and got no answer from my "nurse case manager" (Diane S). I found out from a later call to her voice mail that she was on vacation from 12-18-09 to 01-04-10.

I eceived a call from Holly on 12-12-09, another case manager, that the peer review had been completed and the claim had been denied but had no reason. I tried other Aetna avenues to no avail. I spoke to Diane 01-04-10 and she confirmed the case had been denied. She stated that they had sent several requests to doctors' office for more info with no results. I have a phone recording from doctors' office dated 12-09-09 stating they had paperwork submitted to Aetna at that time, "additional" paperwork Aetna had submitted. I have an appointment for 01-05-10 that I scheduled to see doctor and confirm why I'm off work, MRI and reading thereof.

I also have an appointment for a hernia operation scheduled for 01-27-10 for repair from physical therapy. I tried that hard to get back to work. Aetna's Diane would not even listen to me giving her these dates and appointments. I spoke to a long term disability rep from Aetna in December as my STD would expire 01-06-10. Sandy informed me the hernia would be under the same claim because it happened relating to the primary injury. I will probably lie and say I'm fine, so I can return to work, get laid off, and at least have money coming in. If I could fake the doctor out which in my current condition is next to impossible. I'm an electrician for Boeing which means climbing two 26 foot vertical steel ladders in the snow on a roof with tools to change the motor on a rooftop fan, one of the simpler things I do!

I've read the other complaints against Aenta from this site, and many other internet sites and it is stressfull as well as painful to read.

Mine is similar. I could no longer perform my job function, filed for STD / LTD with Aetna.

Massive amounts of medical documentation that clearly shows the seriousness of my injury, and cleary shows that there would be no physical progress that would allow me to work in the same job capacity for more than a year.

Was denied, then denied again. No response back from Aetna to my attorney. 45 day's passed, no response. My attorney resent the demand for back payment and STD / LTD settlement offer. Again, no response back from Aetna.

Day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year.

Sound familiar?

Nearing bankrupcy, forclose and homelessness. Little if any nerves left to sress out. Feeling numb but my body still feels fear of my unknown future. Day in and day out.......... And still no word from Aenta.

Confusion as to how Aetna will not respond to any coorespondence without any consequenses.

A class action lawsuit against Aetna, from Boeing in 2004 has tought them nothing.

Pray for us............God help us.

they had a coach call me to discuss this. it just upset me. if this was so important why was i not notified by registered mail not gneral mail. i did not receive anything saying i had to enroll in medicare part b. i just found out i had part a. had i known this was available to me of course i would have had a second insurance now. they are playing dr. i cannot get meds that i have been on since 1997. so we'll see if i have a setback or worse..heart problems. and i receive $56.52 from att a month plus my disability.

I am writing this letter in reference to filing appeal for my Short Term Disability Insurance that I have through Penn Foster Inc. Upon receipt of this letter, a letter from my lawyer was mailed to your office stating that I am appealing your decision. First of all the letter I received on October 10, 2009 does not have the correct information in concerning the notes from Dr Martin M's office in. According to my return to work slip I received from Dr M's office it had stated that I was to return to work on October 19, 2009 because of persistent vaginal bleeding and stress. Nowhere in that letter was anything mention about stress.

Anyone that had just been diagnosed with endometrial cancer can relay to this that it is a very stressful situation that you go from being a healthy person to someone who now has cancer. Stress is just as bad as having cancer because you are constantly worrying what will happen. Yes I was thankful that I had the surgery and it was successful but nowhere in any communication from the doctor's office or anyone else that I spoke to stated that I was to return to full duties. The letter I received from your RN was the first that I heard that mention.

Next I would like to disagree with the decision of the RN. If I am not mistaken a RN takes only 3 years to receive there degree where as a Doctor can take anywhere from 8 to 12 years to receive there degree. NOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? SOMEONE THAT HAS A 3 YEAR DEGREE IS GOING TO GO AGAINST A DOCTOR THAT HAS 8-12 YEARS TO RECEIVE THERE DEGREE. I have never been seen by this individual or examined by them and they are going to tell me that I can resume full duties?

Upon discharge from the hospital on August 12, 2009 my restrictions were 1: Do not lift anything over 5-10 pounds for 4-6 weeks 2: Nothing in vagina and to be careful upon using public bathrooms for no infection would set in for 10 weeks and 3: No baths, pools or spa's also for 10 weeks. When I came home I then was to call the doctor's office to make a follow up appointment. My appointment was on September 9, 2009 in which I was examined and advised to still no lift anything over 10-15 lbs, and because of persistent vaginal bleeding and stress that I was not to return to work until October 19, 2009. I have the note from the doctors that states this information.

During this time I was contacted once by Aetna on September 17, 2009 stating that I was to return to work on September 21, 2009. When I advised Ms Perri of the situation she said I was to have the doctors office contacted them in reference to this. The doctor's office had contacted them on numerous occasions and gave them everything they had on my recovery. Upon doing this I had contacted Aetna on September 14, 17, 18, 21,22, 29, October 5. These are just a few of the dates that I had contacted them in reference to my disability.

I not only called once on these dates but numerous times. I had requested to speak to someone higher and was referred to Mindy L. at extension 791-0766 and as of today date still never received a callback. My husband John called and requested to speak to someone higher and was given a woman by the name of Cecilia. again he spoke to her but she never called back with any further information.

Now after all this time I finally received a letter from Aetna stating that they are denying me my disability from September 20, 2009 till October 19, 2009. According to them I was back to "full duty" which is quite a surprise to me since I was advised on September 9, 2009 that I was to be off until October 19, 2009. It took them all this time for a RN to make a decision when it was the Dr. M's decision to keep me off.

There are no two people the same where surgery or recovery is concern. Therefore it should not be a RN to make a health decision. I am not someone looking for a hand out but not once did I receive a callback from someone higher up than Cindy P. even though it was requested numerous times. I will not sit back and just take this false information that you have reviewed. The President is trying to help people with HEALTHCARE and your company is going against doctor's treatments. Considering the well documented medical records, it is respectfully requested that Aetna pay the disability benefits owed to the above name patient and that a DOCTOR review all records and not a RN.

I have been on STD since June 19th 2009 for Lyme Disease and RA. I receive 26 weeks from Bank of America and 26 weeks from the State of New Jersey. The first week of September 2009 my doctor said I can not return to work yet so she filled out the attending physians form. I called Aetna to make sure my papers were faxed to them they stated they were received, that was on September 15th 2009. On Friday September 18th 2009 at 4:40pm I receive a call from my case worker Michelle. She states to me that they tried to call my doctor's office today but could not get a hold of them.

They need additional paperwork from her and if it is not received by Monday she will have to close my case. Si I replied to Michelle stating that I will not be able to get my doctor till Monday for she is closed on Friday, she replied Well it is your responsibility to get it to us or I will have to close your case. I then asked Michelle what additional paperwork was needed and she stated to me we have your diagnosis but we need to know why you can not do your job. I then asked Michelle if there was a form that she was faxing my doctor's office she stated No she just needs to write what my condition is that prevents me from doing my job, any recent bloodwork if I have any and my last doctor visit notes.

On Monday I call my doctor office and was told that they called Aetna because the message left said to call them and they left Michelle a message. I explain to them what is needed and told them I would call back. At 2pm my doctors office calls me stating that Michelle has not got back to them yet for they wanted to speak to Michelle to make sure they had all she needed.

I call Aetna and explained everything to a representative she instant messages my case worker and she puts me through to talk to her. She proceeded to tell me that she was closing my case because she did not get my papers I told her that my doctor's office left her a voice mail, she replied and said to me I do not have to talk to them just send over the papers and I will see if I re-open your case. I then got angry with her and told her that when we spoke on Friday I had till today to get this to her and I felt that this was unfair to call me on a Friday night knowing it was the weekend and I could not get this taken care of till Monday.

The she said she called my doctor on Sept 15 and they did not call her back. I asked her why she did not call me when she could not reach them and she stated I did on Friday. I said right on Friday night when I can not reach anyone to help. Why did you not call me on Tuesday when you could not get my doctor. she now got nasty and stated we have up to 48hrs. to look at your paperwork. So now knowing she has lied to me I said to her but I thought you called my doctor on Tuesday? She then stated to me send the paperwork instead of debating with me, I will think about re-opening your case. So I asked her to make sure I get the proper information for the doctor because she refused to communicate with them, What do you need exactly? She repeated and said "Why you can not perform your job duties"? So I said I have RA. She said to me " There are a thousand people who have RA and can still work why can't you." That offended me because she can not see how I walk or stand or lift and who is she to make judgement. She then said I have to close your case and if I receive the paperwork I might re-open it. I said to her you told me I have until Monday and Monday is not over. She said my supervisor already signed off on it I have no choice. So to me she already had denied me then.I said to her "do you realize I can be terminated from my job?" And her reply was " I am closing your case."

Monday night I called Aetna and asked if my paperwork was received from the doctor and the representative told it takes 24hrs for the faxes to be imaged on the system. I then explained to the representative the conversation with Michelle and stated to her that I felt she knew this and was going to deny me anyway. The rep said we can not ethically do that. I asked for a new case worker and was refused. I called at 9:15am Tuesday to see if the paperwork was imaged to the computer and they told me my claim was denied.I was extended with the State of New Jersey till 10/14/2009 but denied for my companies STD. On Thursday Sept 24th 2009 I receive a letter from Aetna stating I was denied because of my attending physician statement was not filled out correctly. The letter stated that my limitations were not listed, bloodwork was not given, and any clinical reports.

According to the representative the images of this was showing Tuesday morning at 9:15am which leaves me to believe that Michelle did indeed deny my claim prior to this fax and of course if you call someone at 4:40pm on Friday and your doctor's office is closed for the weekend and your disability department is too the question is How do I get the information to them prior to Monday when it takes 24hrs for the images to upload, the only way she could have gotten these reports is if both parties, Aetna and my doctor's office was open the weekend for the images to upload for Monday, but being both were closed my images were faxed Monday but not uploaded until after hours and Aetna is well aware of this practice for they told me how this process works.

The consequences to me is that my Bank of America salary goes towards my mortgage payment now I do not have these monies to pay them, my 401k, my eyeglass benefits, my car insurance, my long term disability, my life insurance, all came out of my gross salary and there is a possibility that I will be considered as a automatic resignation because this decision was apparently made after my return to work date which was Sept 13th 2009 and according to the policy I am on unauthorized leave as of Sept 14th 2009.

The economic damage is that I will not be able to up hold my household because now there is not enough money for me to pay all my utilities, mortgage, and buy food. Amazing that you can be approved from June 2009 and then denied with the same underlying condition. Go Figure.

I became ill and unable to work at my job so I was on short term disability. When that ran out I applied for long term disability because I had not improved and my doctor asked for me to be out for at least 1 year. It has been 3 months and they have still yet to make a decision. I havent had any money coming in for 3 months. Every time I call, they say that my case worker just stepped away from her desk and could she call me back and then she never does. They have been saying since the beginning of last month that it will be only a few more days. I dont understand why it has taken so long!

I have been struggling real bad with no money for 3 months. I had to empty out all my retirement accounts in order to pay the mortgage. I have been charging all my medications on my credit cards but I am scared because they are about maxed out now. I paid my COBRA on my credit card because I had no money but I had to see all my specialists. I sent my daughter to go live with her father. With no money coming in I cant afford to take care of her. I was so sick before dealing with Aetna, now I am sick, stressed beyond belief and destitute.

I had a dental procedure which damage the lingual nerve in my mouth affecting my speech. I am a TELEPHONE SALES REP no one can understand me the way I speak now. Aetna denied my claim saying I am able to proform my job. I sent a appeal letter 30 days ago they have not even assigned it to an appeal adjuster for consideration. Well I have a surprise for them. That letter was sent by and attorney if they do not respond with in 45 or July 12 they are getting a nasty BAD FAITH lawsuit on there hands. I will take them to the cleaners. I work in insurance I know the laws of my state and I'm going to make them bend over!

My attorney has sent letters requesting Aetna to back pay me and start paying full benefits as i am not receiving anything else but hve not gotten any response.

Iam currently seeking medical treatment through workers comp and am unable to return to my own occupation. I paid into this plan to help me through anything like this if it happened to me. Now it has happen and I have lost my credit due to having to file for bankruptcy the lender on my home has foreclosed on my home now. I am currently trying to work out a loan modification but Aetna continues to delay in paying my full benefits.

I am not even able to pay my utilities much less eat with what Aetna is currently giving me. Any help to get Aetna to pay my benefits would be greatly appricated

Anyway, Aetna insisted that I ask my doctors to send an out-of-work note to Aetna to recertify my claim every two weeks despite the fact that my doctors had told them the recovery time for my surgeries would be several months. This was such a hassle to get the doctors to fill out paperwork every two weeks for Aetna! Aetna also did not contact my employer to let them know how long I would be out either, so every two weeks my employer thought I was returning to work!

In February, Aetna said they were going to do a peer review with one of their doctors and have them talk to my doctors. I received a letter that this had been done and that my disability was not supported by objective medical documentation as decided by their peer reviewer and my benefits were cut off. I called my doctors and they said that they were not contacted by a doctor on Aetna's behalf whatsoever! I had also faxed alot of medical reports and capabilities worksheets that had been filled out by my doctors and they also had faxed these to Aetna.

These deceptive delay and harrassment tactics would be ordinarily considered "bad faith" but since this is an employer paid group policy, it is governed by the ERISA and Aetna can basically do whatever they want and get away with it. They have not responded to my request for the information they used to deny my short term disability benefits and I know that they can be penalized $110/day for that I was told.

I have been an employee of Kimberly-Clark Corporation for 24 years. On November 5th of 2008 I injured my back at home and was unable to return to work. My job is a physical job. I have been diagnosed with sacroilitis and also have some arthritis in my back. I am only 47 years old. I also have suffered with Fibromyalgia the last several years making work very difficult. My condition is preventing me from being able to do the physical work and in turn I can no longer do my job.

Aetna is denying my claim despite receiving the requested information from my doctor. I also have paid for 24 years to have the LTD insurance benefits. I have received an injection in my back which has helped with the pain. I am now no longer in constant pain but if I try to take on physical tasks such as mopping the floor or standing to cook supper, or even sitting at the computer for long periods then I have pain again. It is not that I am completely incapicitated but I know that I can no longer do the job I was doing.

According to what I have read about disability, it is defined as someone who can no longer do the job they were doing prior to the injury or illness. That is me! I can no longer do this type of work and my company does not use part time or intermittent help. Three weeks ago, Aetna (Asia) contacted me and told me she would be calling my doctors to get more information from them regarding my claim.

Next I get a letter from Aetna denying my claim. When I called them about it they told me to have my doctor send in more information (a progress report). I told them why do I need to do this when Asia just spoke to my doctors last week? I asked that Asia call me back. She never did. In the meantime I once again had my doctor fax the information to Aetna to Asia's attention. I have heard nothing now for three weeks. I, like some of the other folks, am getting close to the end of my std period and approaching the ltd stage. I need help.

The stress that this has caused me in addition to the pain in my back and the pain related to the fibromyalgia is not necessary. Why did I pay all these years to have the extra insurance when I continually get denied on my claims? My disablity person, her name is Asia, will not return my phone calls.

I am currently using up all my vacation pay to help pay our bills. In another week or so that will be gone. I don't know what to do. I could probably start seeking a desk job but I would only be able to work part time. My back and fibromyalgia will not allow me to do more than this. If I am fortunate enough to find a part time job then my husband and I will suffer a substantial loss of income and I will have to resign my employment with Kimberly-Clark and thus forfeit my claim to disability.

Short term disability denied 3 times. First time denied due to miscalculated time off from job. That was corrected by me after several phone calls. Denied 2nd time due to non updated clinical information which was faxed to them but Aetna claims they never received it. Third time denied due to clinical findings that didn't support their conditions of me being out and not being able to get a hold of my doctor after only one phone call. All of this has happened before I was approved for long term disability.

UPS supervisor and employee of 21 years. As a result I will not be getting paid my short term disability. Aetna called me in mid December to say they denied my claim for short term disability. After several phone calls and having to make another appt to see a doctor just to obtain information to fax to them in order to be paid for Christmas. Bottom line one mistake after another has caused me stress from ultimately being denied because their specialists have denied it due to clinical findings.

I had been receiving checks from Aetna and I followed up on my doctor sending information about me not being able to return to work. Than a representative stated that they had made a mistake in denying my certification. I have been talking with my PLant nurse and Human Resources people at the Marinette Kimberly-Clark mill. They have stated that other people are not getting checks. I asked why?

Aetna is denying certified payments via me being off from work as stated by my doctors. One day one of my doctors sent 23 fax related resources on my medical problems in going back to work. Aetna lies to me by saying they made a mistake and than when I call or they call they say they are denying my claims. I need the money I have bills to pay.

Aetnas Short Term/Long-term Disability benefits are the worst. You pay for it- oh yeah, you pay. Try an employee of over 10 yrs filing one claim and not get pd for the last 4 months. (one denial as the Dr didn't put my resting blood pressure rate down!) Don't believe what they tell you about the IHD (Integrated Health Disability Model). Its suppose to help manage your medical and any potential disability you might face. Its a lie! It doesn't work! They've been my companys medical ins provider for years and the only info they conveniently find hurts me. literally- hurts me. I've almost lost my car, my mortgage is months past due

They play legalese word games. Can you provide me any in-site or suggested direction? Tonight I still have a roof & food.

I have worked as a Registered Nurse and had been employed by Group health Coop for the last 16 years starting in 1991. I was encouraged to obtain the long term disablity from Aetna at that time and the fee for the insurance was deducted from my pay check for those 16 years. I didn't think I would every need it but it gave me the security to know that if I ever became disabled that Aetna would pay 60% of my income. i also encouraged each new employee to sign up for the coverage as I thought it was a great security blanket.

I was diagnosied with a genetic heart condition called hypertropic obstructive cardiomyopathy where the heart wall becomes thicker and the chambers of the heart become smaller causing shortness of breath. It is a progressive disease. I was able to continue work but had a heart attack in 2001 related to the condition but was also able to go back to work after recovery and some change in medications. I had no desire to quite work as I was 55 and felt that I could continue with my work as a register nurse.

I continued to work another 5 years Sept 2007 I developed congestive heart falure and could not walk without extreme shortness of breath and had a 20 pound weight gain due to fluid that collected in my extremities because of the heart failure. I could no longer perform my duties as a registerd nurse. I called in sick one day and just couldnt go back to work as i was extremely short of breath. My cardiologist said I should not go back to work. Which is documented and copies sent to Aetna.

I waited the 90 days as required to submit my claim to Aetna and it has been a nightmare every since. I filled out their forms and did all they request but they continue to have one more thing they need. At first they said I was denied as my cardiologist had not sent them the information that they needed. I called my cardiologist and he said that his full report was in medical records which Aetna had already received the form that gave them they right to get any of the medical data and reports that they needed.

After talking to Aetna that stated that they could not get the medical history. I drove downtown through traffic to get to the group health medical records department and was told that Aetna had requested the medical history but had not told group health where to send the records and did not pay the fee to get the records which aetna knew were required. I paid for the medical records and faxed them to Aetna from 3 different fax machines which when talking to them again they stated they never received. I then mailed them certified mail so that they could not denie receiving my medical history.

I call Aetna weekly and sometimes as much as three times a week and they assure me that they are working on my claim. I received a phone message from Monica 6-26-2008 that they expected to be approving my claim within 48 hours. She said because the claim would be so much that she had to turn it over to her technical advisor for review. I checked the mail box everyday waiting for the check and did not call Aetna for a few weeks. No check and no calls from Aetna.

I called to inquire about my claim to be informed that they needed my last 23 paycheck stubs which had been sent to them before from Group Health human resourses. When I called later they said that they had not received the information. I called human resouses and they said they had sent that to them a week ago. I called aetna and asked if they had received the information and they stated no but when I told them of the call to human resources they them said Oh yes Monica did received them I have never been able to talk to Monica directly, as when asked to be transferred to her I only get her voice mail and she doesn't call back. Only 3 calls from her after many voicemails and weekly request for 8 months.

I followed up with a call to find out that they did not understand codes on the paycheck which had been explained many times previously. It has been now 8 months of being told one stalling lie after another and I am very frustated. i can't afford the amount of money that the attorneys are requesting and i keep hoping that it will be settled soon and continue with my weekly calls and trying to provide every thing that they ask for but I can't help but feel that either they are the most incompedent group of people or the smartest at getting me to feel that they are working on this claim until I will just give up and they can win and not give me the coverage that I paid for over 16 years.

I am depressed and frustrated by Aetna's response and the way they continue to delay paying my claim. I guess I was foolish to trust that when you pay for coverage that they will be forthright and honest. I can't work or I would. I have not had any money coming in for almost a year now and have gone through most of my savings. I feel that the stress with this heart condtion will shorten my life and maybe that is what they what. i understand that with fraudulent claims that they must be careful but they and any medical person knows that with the heart condition that I have that I can not work as registered nurse with all the physical demands as I can't even walk to the mailbox with out shortness of breath. I wish that there was something I could do to make Aetna accountable for there actions as I would have a criminal charge against me I lied to them as they have been doing to me.

After months of delay and no comunication from AETNA I received a letter on the same day that I originally submitted my initial complaint. The letter stated that I was denied LTD benefits due to my occupation being sedentary in nature, which is not true. Ms. Sherry took it upon herself to determine from the US Labor Department of Occupation Titles (DOT) that my occupation was a Refferal Aide which is clerical in nature. The title assigned to me when I first began at Gateway Regional Medical Center was that of Referral Coordinator II. When I browsed the DOT I could not find such an occupation and only found Referral Aide which is apparently what Sherry used to determine my occupation and responsibilities. The closest that I could find in DOT was Social Worker - Psychiatric.

I am an MSW that does face-to-face assessment with acute mentally patients that present to the hospital ER and are suicidal, homicidal, psychotic, intoxicated and / or using drugs... it is normally a volatile and hostile environment, which may lead to unpreditable and aggressive confrontations. These are not sedentary tasks that Ms Shaerry has assumed that I do.

It is my personal opinion that AETNA and it's employees have intentionally delayed making a decision and then denying my claim after months of waiting when they had all the documents and signatures which THEY originally requested... this comes very close to what I would consider fraudulent and deceptive practices.

Denied LTD Disability Benefits due to Ms Sherry using incorrect occupation title and job responsibilities taken from the US Labor Dept Occupational Titles; Lack of knowledge of serious illnesess and the effect / symptoms of those illnesses; loss of employment / income due to her procrastination and delay tactics; not taking initiatiave to obtain current / most recent test results other than those submitted in the initial claim back in February 2008; Thinking she has more knowledge and experience than the cardiologists, neuroligist, and psychiatrists who have been treating me and have stated that I am not able to work at this time thus entitling me the LTD benefits for which I have paid premiums.

I applied for long term disability with Aetna on 4/4/08, after completing the 90 day wait period on short term disability. During the application process, Aetna repeatedly claimed information or forms were missing from the paperwork submitted by my treating physicians. Additional paperwork was thn requested, and another 30 days would go by. Finally, on June 1st, I filed a complaint with the WA State OIC. The OIC jumped on the complaint within 24 hours and pushed the company to respond as required within the 6 weeks of claims processing allowed with WA state law. The company refused, still delaying the processing of my claim, holding it in medical review for another three weeks.

During this time, I spoke with the claims adjustor on several occasions, being provided 'all the necessary information needed to determine my claim'. On June 13th, I was advised by a rep my claim had been denied. I was called by the adjustor, Monigue later that day, apologizing profusely and stating a decision had not yet been made, and that I would have an answer by Friday. No answer on Friday. I confronted the claims adjustor on June 17th, telling her if I did not have a decision on my claim by June 20th, I was going to sue the company.

On June 23rd, I called Aetna (after the 6th such promise broken on returned calls), and was informed that my claim had been denied due to 'lack of functional testing' that I had previously been told was not required by the same adjustor that denied the claim...but that I could appeal.

I should know back from my attorney by Wednesday whether or not we go ahead with the lawsuit. It is my honest opinion as a licensed agent in my state that this company skirted it's legal duty in my state to timely process my claim, and further denied it illegally, which I intend to reclaim in court. I find it sad to read so many other complaints even far more attrocious than mine!

My credit went from perfect to poor from April to July, we are in danger of losing everything due to the negligence of this company. I may lose my job, not being released to return to work and unable to collect payment on premiums I paid in trust to this company. My spouse has to look for a second job, my teenage son had to get a job to help out, we had to pull our daughter out of preschool.

I am forced to self pay my medical insurance premiums at over $500 per month in order to keep coverage I need to seek treatment for my osteoarthritis (sustained in auto accident, I'm 36), degenerative disc disease, and the depression and PTSD resulting from my injuries. I have to forego physical therapy because I cannot afford the copays, live in pain because I cannot afford my pain medication, and cannot seek community resources because I technically still have a job.

my doctores have said every time that i am completly disabled ssi has that i am and yet aetna does not believe any one. I only get 173 a month from aetna my doctor charges me every time to do this he says ,i've told them ever time he is completly disabled. Now i'm not even getting the 173 from aetna because they want the doctor to fill out another form.

I have been on short term disability since june 25 2005, as required, when Aetna sent me forms that required my doctor fill out answering questions related to my disability. My std. was approved for 2 periods the second ending on 11/15/05. I had received the form Aetna sent to again extend the std. for another period, and took it to my Doctor, and he answered all of the questions and I faxed it to Aetna on 10/23/05. Reading this form indicated that it was apparent that I would also be seeking Long term disability.

Due to a lack of information about the date this would begin, I called Aetna and was told that another Individual handled Ltd. and that his name was Steve S. I was advised by Steve that there would be a 45 day wait for my Ltd to be approved,and that during this period I would not be receiving any income. As this was unacceptable, I asked what would be needed to get this Ltd process shortened,and what could I do to get the ball rolling, Steve advised me that he would review the last doctor report, from 10/17/05.

I received a call from Tiffany, advising me that I needed reports from the orthopedic surgeons who operated on both of my elbows, for what I believed was for the Ltd question, and that I would have to sign a release of information form for that information to be sent. I went to the surgeons office and signed the forms the following day. From Aetna I hear nothing, so on 11/5/05 I again call Aetna and spoke to Tiffany, She then advised me that my Std has not been approved past 11/15/05,I asked her why, and she somewhat rudely said that she still had not received the forms from the surgeons, and without them there would be no extension. I was shocked to hear this as again I thought that the surgeons reports were to eliminate the 45 day Ltd wait.

I have on several instances offered to go to any doctor of their choice for x-rays, exaimination or whatever would expedite this, I was told it was not needed my complaint, why does it take almost a full month for approval?

I have been on LTD for quite some time, I was supposed to get 60% of my pay while on LTD. Aetna is my LTD company under contract, and they are to make up the balance to the 60% wage mark after Social Security Disability kicks in. Since SSD can take up to 18 months or so to kick in after you apply, Aetna was my ONLY source of income once I got sick. Unfortunately, they have such incompetent employees and such a lame company morality, someone sitting at a desk hundreds if not thousands of miles away decided I was not sick anymore and stopped my disability payments completely.

This employee did NOT contact me or my doctor before doing this, and once this happens, it is a 6 month appeal process. I had moved into a house, put a large down payment on it, figuring I was going to get well and get back to work at sometime in the future. Well, this action by Aetna caused me to lose my house, I also lost my car, and lost my belongings, which were in storage since I had no place to live and could not pay the bill. Aetna finally sent me to their own doctor, probably expecting him to agree with them since he was paid by them, but he got real mad after testing me for about 6 hours, and said not only was I still sick, but Aetna had made me SICKER by their pulling the finanacial rug out from under me!

I mean, how well can you get when your financial situation is put in the toilet by the very company you heard for years would 'help you when or if you got sick'? There was NO apology from Aetna at this treatment, they just started paying me again, but a bit later, they stopped again, that was about 2 years ago, and altho now I have SSD, it is not enough to live on without that Aetna payment, so I have had to change houses again, for a 3rd time in 5 years, trying to start over. I fully believe that I could have been back in the work force by now if Aetna had not started screwing with my disability payments.

My father, let's call him L right now because his case is still pending, is 59 years old and his second career for the past few years is a correctional officer. He went out on disability through his employer, about three months ago. He has a heart condition (bypass last year), diabetes, back problems, carpal tunnel in his hands, degenerative arthritis, bone spurs, fallen arches, congestive heart failure, and COPD. He is unable to stand, sit or lay down for long periods of time. He is unable to run, walk fast, bend over, stoop, raise his arms over his head, or talk for extended periods of time.

My father did what Aetna required as far as getting his physicians to send in paperwork each week for his short term disability. From the very beginning dad had problems getting anyone from Aetna to call him back with questions he had about the long term disability process. Because he tires easily on the phone, I made some calls for him and finally got in touch with a very nice man who explained the process to me. He told me that my father had a 90 day waiting period before he could qualify for long term disability and fortunately the ninety days he spent on short term disability took care of that waiting period.

The man I talked to said at that time that dad had another two weeks left on STD and that his doctor's office needed to fax paperwork so dad could be certified and get his last two checks which are about $353 each. This man also explained the process for long term disability as well and told us that my father will receive no money between his last short term disability check (period ending 10/9) and the date that his long term disability is finally approved. I was told that once his LTD is approved, he would receive funds retroactive to October 10th.

My parents became concerned when October 9th came and went and still they had not received the last two checks. My father, who is ill at home, and has a hard time talking on the phone for long periods of time, made numerous phone calls and left voice mails that went unanswered. In a quest to help him, I also made phone calls, and a caseworker supervisor did call me, but she also called my dad and since she contacted him I did not call her back. My dad asked her about the disability checks. She kept talking about one check, not two. He insisted he was owed up until October 9th, she kept insisting it was one check he was owed and that they were waiting for his Long Term paperwork to process before he could get more money after that. This was confusing for dad who was told as was I that he was owed two checks, for weeks ending October 2nd and October 9th. In the meantime my father talked to this caseworker supervisor on approximately October 12th and the caseworker supervisor told my father a draft would be cut that day for him.

However on October 19th he still had not received a check and he called and left several messages, as I did, and I was the one who found out from an employee there who checked the file that a check had not been recorded as mailed out in the file. When my father talked to the supervisor again sure enough she confirmed that my father's case analyst, her subordinate did not do his job and cut the check and send it. My father said the woman seemed very upset, concerned and apologetic. To him, it wasn't an act, she was very upset. She assured my dad she would get to the bottom of it and call him and let him know a check was being overnighted.

He never received a callback from Aetna that day or for the remainder of the week. Finally, because he was desperate for his money (he and my mother had a mortgage payment due, medication and groceries to buy, not to mention my mother needed gas money to get to work), I called Aetna Friday and I was angry. I found out from a random employee who checked the file that a check was cut on Thursday but there was no way to tell when it was mailed out. Today is Saturday and still no checks from Aetna.

My mother doesn't make much money, my father's short term disability wasn't even 2/3 of his normal pay. As of today, Aetna has not sent the last two short term disability checks which would help my parents pay their mortgage, buy groceries or so mom could put gas in her car to go to work. My father is tired all the time and depressed because he feels like nobody cares about his situation. He's right, nobody ever calls him back. They make him wait....he depends on this money to get by. His health is getting worse because of the stress. My mother is depressed, cries all the time, is worried about how to pay the bills. And I spend many hours during the day making phone calls and sending emails on my dad's behalf because I know that he is just plain exhausted just from trying to get a live person on the phone to help him and give him information.

I have fibromyalgia and for the last 3 years have had to take numerous LOAs (leave of absences) from work. In the beginning I had no problem with Aetna paying my short term disability pay but when it came close to the end of the short term disability and the start of the long term disability Aetna would deny my claim. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME!!! even when I had 2 doctors saying I should not work. I pay extra every month for LTD so I will receive 60% rather then 50% of my pay but probably will never be able to receive that benefit since Aetna denies my claims.

The last LOA I was on they refused my short term disability pay. Aetna's so-called nurse said I did not have enough clinical information. Both of my doctors said they had given Aetna all the information they had and that they felt Aetna needed. I explained this to the nurse and again all she would say is I need more clinical information. I even asked her to tell me exactly what info she is talking about or what other tests Aetna would like for me to have...but like a tape recorder all she would say is I need more clinical information. Therefore, I did not receive any money for a month.

I was in a no win situation because with fibromyalgia stress flares it up so while the doctors are trying to use medicine to relieve my pain Aetna's refusals would stress my out and keep the pain flared up. I would try to go back to work but repeatedly missed days due to the pain - I used up all my sick time and vacation time and began taking days without pay. My good credit became so bad that I eventually was forced to file bankruptcy.

I was called into a meeting with my management and Human Resource Rep and reprimanded for my absences and therefore received a very bad review which trigged a very very low raise. You see here at Boeing an LOA constitutes 1 situation rather than each individual day taken for sick time. Your job is more protected when you are on an LOA. I definitely was afraid of losing my job after 22 years of service. Both the above situations caused stress which in turn caused the pain to flare up. Since the beginning of this year a new rheumatologist prescribed a different pain medication for me and I have felt better than I have in years. Unfortunately, I still have to overcome bad debt record and bad absenteeism record.

Each encounter with Aetna has caused me extreme nervousness, lack of sleep and fear. I am left feeling like they are out to get me and quite frankly, I suspect that this is there method of operation, which is shameful. Is there anything that can be done to help myself as well as others who are being treated like some type of piece of trash?