Ready to launch

[Olbidness]

It looks like years of planning have prepared me to take a new path. I had a heart attack just before Thanksgiving last year so I've been on paid disability leave since. Currently I'm doing cardiac rehab 3X a week and will complete around May 1. The plan then is to take my accrued vacation that should take me to June 1. The last few months have allowed me to weigh all the alternatives and this seems to be the best path.

The company HR department is sending paperwork to apply for long-term disability but I'm not sure I'll qualify or if I'd even be willing to jump through any hoops. I'm just done.

Having worked full time since I was 16, I'm ready to try something different.

 

[broadway]

It looks like years of planning have prepared me to take a new path. I had a heart attack just before Thanksgiving last year so I've been on paid disability leave since. Currently I'm doing cardiac rehab 3X a week and will complete around May 1. The plan then is to take my accrued vacation that should take me to June 1. The last few months have allowed me to weigh all the alternatives and this seems to be the best path.

The company HR department is sending paperwork to apply for long-term disability but I'm not sure I'll qualify or if I'd even be willing to jump through any hoops. I'm just done.

Having worked full time since I was 16, I'm ready to try something different.

Is it a matter of formality that HR is sending you the LTD forms?
I would at least look at the paperwork and consult with your physician.
My mom tells me that the LTD for one year is almost guaranteed.
If that is the case, I'd do it.

 

[Olbidness]

Is it a matter of formality that HR is sending you the LTD forms?
I would at least look at the paperwork and consult with your physician.

It was HRs idea. I had previously suggested to my cardiologist that I may apply for long-term disability and he wasn't supportive. My job is a combination of desk work and physical work so while I believe I could do the job, I think it would probably shorten my life. I don't have the same strength and endurance I had before. Every pain I have now makes me stop and think.

I'll just go through the motions and see what happens. I'm afraid expending lots of effort to get a rather small benefit would be more stressful than actually working.

Since I have adequate net worth I'd like to enjoy my life rather than banging heads with an insurance company.

 

[broadway]

I would at least look into LTD.
Why not take that 1 year of 60% pay if there aren't any hoops?

 

[RobbieB]

Because he would rather get on with his new life than fill out forms for the next year?

 

[candrew]

Just curious - did your cardiologist elaborate as to why he/she was not supportive of you applying for LTD? In light of the fact you believe that continuing to w*rk would diminish your quality of life, it seems a bit surprising the physician is not more supportive.

 

[Olbidness]

Just curious - did your cardiologist elaborate as to why he/she was not supportive of you applying for LTD? In light of the fact you believe that continuing to w*rk would diminish your quality of life, it seems a bit surprising the physician is not more supportive.

He didn't go into detail as to why he wouldn't support LTD. As a matter of fact he wanted to sign my release to return to work before I completed cardiac rehab. I just decided I wouldn't cooperate.

I guess I could find another doctor or just leave the paperwork with his receptionist and see what happens. "Balls in your court doc."

 

[Jerry1]

he wouldn't support LTD

So the "bad" news is that you're not going to get LTD. The good news is that you must have recovered quite nicely. Congratulations. I'm with you, forget the LTD and get on with your new life. You've see the light and recognize there's more to life than work or trying to game the system. Good that you've prepared and can make that choice. Take advantage of it and enjoy.

 

[broadway]

Because he would rather get on with his new life than fill out forms for the next year?

Why would it be for the entire year?

Isn't it once and done and evaluate at the end of the year?

 

[broadway]

You've see the light and recognize there's more to life than work or trying to game the system.

It isn't "gaming" the system if the OP is indeed eligible for LTD.
It's up to him, but if he isn't feeling 100% and his cardiologist is saying that the OP is, then there is a bigger problem than applying for LTD.

 

[HFWR]

I had to pay for my ST/LTD insurance, so I certainly wouldn't have felt guilty for using it if I had "qualified" for it.

 

[bingybear]

LTD usually takes effect when STD runs out. This covers longer recoup time... or permanent disability.
After a pacemaker I went back to work the day I was released from the hospital. This was a day after surgery. Work had expected I'd be out several months at least. The CTO told me to take a week or two at least.

I would ask you doctor why he feels as he does.

What I had is completely different than the OP.

 

[Olbidness]

Before my heart attack my plan was to retire after April 1 of this year. My rehab time and vacation will take me long past that date. It would defeat the intent of retirement to replace the stress of work with the stress of something else. I'll have to continue to weigh the cost/benefit. I won't deny the LTD money would be an unexpected windfall.