Long Covid is beginning to get the attention it deserves. There have been a series of announcements by the government stating plans to study the prevention, detection, and treatment of Long Covid. The move to create the plan has been long-awaited by those suffering from the illness. For those dealing with the effects of long Covid, fighting for access to treatments and therapies has been challenging. When the government pours time and resources into researching a medical condition, it signals to those in various areas of the insurance industry that a medical condition or topic deserves attention or validation. The medical sector has realized Long Covid is a serious problem facing many of their patients. As doctors learn to diagnose Long Covid and create restorative plans to treat the lingering symptoms, researchers are exploring why some people are experiencing Long Covid while others do not.
What is Long Covid?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average Covid sufferer will recover from the illness in a couple of weeks after contracting the disease. It will take some sufferers as many as four weeks to recover from Covid-19. There has been a sharp increase in Long Covid diagnoses, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued guidance on Long Covid as a disability.
HHS guidance on “Long COVID” as a disability can be found in the following:
Long COVID is a disability under Titles II (state and local government) and III (public accommodations) of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Section 1557). Each of these federal laws protects people with disabilities from discrimination.
The same guidance also stated:
People with long COVID have a range of new or ongoing symptoms that can last weeks or months after they are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, which can worsen with physical or mental activity. Long Covid symptoms vary from person to person, but several symptoms are considered most common to the diagnosis. [1]
The following are considered the most common symptoms of Long Covid:
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating, also called brain fog
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Dizziness on standing
- Fast-beating or pounding heart (known as heart palpitations)
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Joint or muscle pain
- Depression or anxiety
- Fever
- Loss of taste or smell
Many people living with Long Covid cannot move on with their lives, and there are sufferers unable to work because they experience chronic fatigue and tiredness. Diminished mental capacity, another symptom of long Covid, has made it hard for many people to perform tasks they were once able to complete without concern. The fuzzy thinking or brain fog combined with sleeping problems have made Long Covid a challenge for those with traditional work requirements. It can be frustrating for those experiencing Long Covid symptoms to still suffer from an illness so many weeks later. It can also be frightening to be diagnosed with a disease doctors still do not fully understand. Filing for insurance support has been difficult as well, considering the newness of Long Covid as an illness and the limited research on the topic. The US medical industry and healthcare system continue to struggle with Covid patients or those dealing with the lasting effects of Long Covid.
The Challenges Presented by a Long Covid Diagnosis
One of the biggest challenges facing Long Covid sufferers is they are at the forefront of a new illness category being established in hospitals, insurance companies, and rehabilitation centers. It will take time for resources and systems to catch up with the needs of patients. The new government plan to study the span of the Covid experience from exposure and infection to recovery will help matters. Government funding will lead to increased studies, validation from insurance companies, and reimbursement claims to sufferers. As more funding is earmarked for long Covid research, additional treatment options will become available for those needing assistance. Current Long Covid treatment plans have been modeled after chronic fatigue syndrome therapies. The plan has been most effective for the majority of symptoms, but the issues of taste and smell loss associated with Covid-19 have seen little improvement. The best treatment for Covid-19 is prevention and avoiding contact with those you know to be ill. [2]
The Dabdoub Law Firm Specializes in Disability Insurance Claims
Dabdoub Law Firm specializes in disability insurance law. A high level of competence is required to navigate a disability case successfully. Our attorneys have many years of experience
Our Lawyers Specialize in Disability Insurance Claims
Because our law firm has always focused on disability insurance, our lawyers are experts in representing clients against their insurance companies.
This means our disability lawyers have:
- Won several major disability lawsuits that improved the laws for disability claimants.
- Experience fighting every major insurance company, including UNUM, Hartford, MetLife, CIGNA, Prudential, and more.
- Successfully represented hundreds of clients and won millions of dollars in disability benefits.
Federal law applies to most disability insurance claims, so our lawyers can help clients across the country.
Disability insurance companies have lawyers. You should, too. Call Dabdoub Law Firm to get experienced disability lawyers on your side.
We can help with:
- Submitting a disability insurance claim,
- Appealing a long-term disability denial,
- Negotiating a lump-sum settlement, or
- Filing a lawsuit against your disability insurance company.
While Long Covid is still considered a relatively new diagnosis, some sufferers may have to fight for the protection they are entitled to by law. At Dabdoub Law Firm, we understand how to navigate disability insurance cases, so call us at (800) 969-0488 to schedule a consultation.
