Long COVID and Long-Term Disability

Long COVID and Long-Term Disability

Is Long COVID a Disabling Condition?

By now, we are all familiar with what COVID is.  Many of us have probably had it.  All of us have experienced by-products of it in some fashion or sense.  However, some people may still be suffering from the effects of COVID that are ongoing.  This is sometimes referred to as long COVID or post-COVID conditions, among other names.

 

The symptoms vary and it’s not well understood yet, however, there are clinical trials being conducted to treat the condition.  The CDC states the following symptoms as being common for people experiencing long-COVID:

 

General symptoms

  • Tiredness or fatigue that interferes with daily life
  • Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort (also known as “post-exertional malaise”)
  • Fever

Respiratory and heart symptoms

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Cough
  • Chest pain
  • Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)

 

Neurological symptoms

  • Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
  • Headache
  • Sleep problems
  • Dizziness when you stand up (lightheadedness)
  • Pins-and-needles feelings
  • Change in smell or taste
  • Depression or anxiety

Digestive symptoms

  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain

Other symptoms

  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Rash
  • Changes in menstrual cycles

source : https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html

The Department of Health and Human Services has stated that long COVID can be a disability under the ADA, section 504, and Section 1557 if it substantially limits one or more major life activities. (https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/civil-rights-covid19/guidance-long-covid-disability/).

Long COVID as a Disabling Medical Condition for LTD

Long COVID can also be a condition for which LTD benefits under a private policy should be considered if the medical evidence demonstrates that you cannot work.  Bear in mind that proving you are disabled to a disability insurance company can often prove more difficult than obtaining benefits from the government.

If you suffer from long COVID, or any other physical condition that causes you to become disabled from working, and you have a disability insurance policy, call our office for a free consultation to see whether if we can help you get the benefits you paid for.