Living with Long-Term Disability: Rehabilitation & Therapy

What is Rehabilitation?

Long-term disability rehabilitation and therapy programs are made to help individuals gain access to treatments and services they need. The eventual goal of most rehabilitation and therapy programs is to assist the person enough so they can return to the workforce or improve their everyday lives. However, for many people with long-term disabilities, rehabilitation and therapy programs help to manage their symptoms and give them back some independence.

Long-term disability rehabilitation can include medical treatments, cognitive treatments, physical therapy, and environmental changes. Not only does rehab include treatments from medical professionals, but also occupational therapists. Rehabilitation and therapy programs help individuals incorporate self-care into their daily activities. These programs help those with disabilities increase their quality of life and reach their goals.

If you receive long-term disability benefits, the main goal of rehabilitation is typically to return to the workforce. Your therapy may focus on physical and medical treatments to heal your body and your mind so you can return to work. Rehabilitation benefits may be included in your long-term disability policy, or they may be available as an additional benefit.

If you have a disability and are interested in rehabilitation and therapy, our legal team can help. Joining a rehabilitation and therapy program while on long-term disability benefits is a balancing act, as some rehabilitation programs are used to return workers to the workforce. This can put disabled individuals in a difficult situation, having to choose between healing their bodies and going back to work vs. not healing their bodies while still collecting benefits. If you’d like more information about long-term disability rehabilitation, contact our law office today at 480-999-4740.

What Kinds of Rehabilitation Programs Are There?

Rehabilitation and therapy programs can vary depending on an individual’s needs and the resources available to them. However, there are some common programs that many long-term disability benefits programs provide to assist those with disabilities.

The major types of rehabilitation programs include the following:

• Physical therapy: Includes physical strengthening and stretching exercises to increase mobility and strength.
• Vocational rehabilitation services: Includes job training, job placement services, and resume writing assistance. These programs are mainly focused on finding employment that is suitable for a disabled individual’s abilities.
• Occupational therapy: Includes learning new skills and adapting to the disability. These programs mainly focus on completing the tasks of daily life and work-related tasks more efficiently.
• Counseling: Includes learning tools to cope with the emotional and psychological effects of the disability. It may also include developing strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and depression.

Rehabilitation benefits can also include financial assistance, like covering the cost of a job training or education program. Assistance may also be available for those struggling to finance transportation to and from rehabilitation appointments and other expenses related to the rehabilitation program.

Rehabilitation and therapy programs can be very beneficial to those with long-term disabilities. Finding the right program that is covered by your long-term disability benefits can be tricky, as there are often strict requirements the program must meet. If you need help finding a rehabilitation program that’s right for you, our office can help. Call us today for more information about rehabilitation and therapy available under your long-term disability benefits.

What Are the Benefits of Long-Term Disability Rehabilitation?

There are many benefits to long-term disability rehabilitation and therapy programs, and these benefits may be advantageous to you. Rehabilitation programs can help individuals with disabilities reach their full potential and get as close to total health as they possibly can. Similarly, rehabilitation programs can provide independence and tools for self-care, helping individuals care for themselves as their disability progresses over time.

Long-term disability rehabilitation can also give individuals the tools they need to stay physically fit while managing poor health. Many disabilities cause an individual’s health to deteriorate over time, so learning how to care for one’s body is essential when living with a long-term disability.

Disability rehabilitation and therapy programs also provide much-needed social and environmental support for disabled individuals. In some cases, a person’s friends or family members do not have the time or resources to support them in the way they need. By joining a rehabilitation program, a person with disabilities can get the support they need while also learning valuable life skills and tools to keep themselves safe and healthy.

In some instances, your long-term disability benefits carrier will offer assistance in applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) assistance. SSD is a valuable resource that provides payments to disabled individuals who cannot work. If you qualify for SSD, taking advantage of this program can be beneficial. However, if you apply for SSD, your long-term disability payments will likely decrease. It is crucial to weigh your options with our experienced legal team to ensure you can still pay your bills and fund your lifestyle using long-term disability benefits.

What Factors Should You Consider Before Doing a Rehab or Therapy Program?

Long-term disability rehabilitation programs are beneficial for many people. However, there are some cases where these programs can threaten your disability benefits payments if you are receiving them. If you are considering joining a rehabilitation and therapy program, it is crucial to consult our legal team to ensure you are not putting your disability payments at risk.

Before doing a rehabilitation program, consider the following factors:

• Are your medical symptoms ever likely to improve? In some cases, long-term disability benefits payments will stop if your symptoms ever get better, even if you are not fully able to return to the workforce. If rehabilitation programs may improve your symptoms, it may be risky to join one.
• Have your doctors signed off on this rehabilitation program? Not all rehabilitation programs are made equally, and some may not be suitable for your particular situation. Always talk to your doctor and healthcare team before signing up for a rehabilitation and therapy program.
• Do your work restrictions limit all work or just your previous occupation? Some long-term disability benefits programs will stop payments if you can do any job at all, not just your last job. If you believe a rehabilitation program may improve your symptoms enough that you can perform simple job duties, be prepared for your long-term disability payments to cease.

It is always a good idea to consult with a legal team before joining a rehabilitation and therapy program. Programs like these are beneficial to many, but they can jeopardize your disability benefits in some cases. Before signing up for a program, always talk to your medical team as well as a legal professional to ensure you are making the right decision for you and your situation.

How Do You Prepare for Long-Term Disability Rehabilitation?

Preparing for long-term disability rehabilitation is just as important as active participation. When preparing for a rehabilitation program, research the program and its requirements so you can be fully prepared. Learn how the program could impact your disability and improve your health conditions, as well as the expected timeline. Meet with your doctor and healthcare team to establish your baseline and ensure that you are well enough to participate in the program.

It is also important to understand what your long-term disability benefits cover and what costs will be refunded to you. Rehabilitation programs can be costly, and many individuals cannot afford to pay out of pocket for them. Your insurance policy will tell you precisely what is covered and what kind of programs fall under the umbrella of your disability benefits.

Emotional support from family members is also beneficial when preparing for a rehabilitation program. These programs can be emotionally taxing and may involve using skills or physical parts of your body that you haven’t used in years. Talk to your support system, including friends, family members, and loved ones, about what you’ll be going through and how they can help. Even offering rides to and from can be useful for you and your healing. Therapy and counseling programs, which are sometimes available alongside rehabilitation programs, may also help you regulate your emotions and learn new tools to cope with your disability.

As you prepare for your rehabilitation program, it is also crucial to understand how the program could impact your disability benefits. Because many rehabilitation and therapy programs are aimed at individuals trying to get back into the workforce, your participation in a program could eventually end your benefit payments. Our team will help you review your long-term disability benefits policy and understand when or why your payments might end.

How Do You Pay for Long-Term Rehabilitation?

Long-term rehabilitation programs often fall under the umbrella of long-term care costs. Long-term care services are available for individuals who need assistance meeting their health and personal care needs. These services may not be available through traditional insurance programs but could be offered by a long-term disability benefits insurance program.

If you currently receive long-term disability benefits payments through an insurance company, check your policy carefully. It’s possible that a rehabilitation program, like physical therapy or vocational rehabilitation services, is covered under your benefits program. In many cases, you can join a rehabilitation program while retaining your disability benefits payments so long as your healthcare team deems it unsafe for you to perform normal work activities.

If you are not receiving long-term disability benefits, state programs like Medicaid may cover some or all of a rehabilitation program. Medicaid is a financial assistance program made to help individuals with limited income and resources. Different states have different Medicaid programs, but they all function essentially the same way. To receive Medicaid benefits, you must qualify for Medicaid and the specific program you are applying for. Services can include assistance with daily tasks, health-related activities, and transportation. If a rehabilitation program is deemed medically necessary for you, it may also be covered by Medicaid.

Paying for long-term rehabilitation can be difficult, but rehabilitation programs are valuable for many people with disabilities. If you would like to join a rehabilitation and therapy program but you aren’t sure where to start, our team of attorneys can help. We will examine the resources available to you so you can pay for your program and take care of your body and spirit. Call our office today to learn more about how we can help you.

Can a Disability Attorney Help Me?

Rehabilitation and therapy programs are vital for those with long-term disabilities. From vocational assistance to physical therapy, these programs help individuals cope with their disabilities and learn the skills they need to care for themselves and gain independence. Taking advantage of a rehabilitation and therapy program may be right for you, especially if your eventual goal is to rejoin the workforce in a new occupation or at your old job.

Our team at Roeschke Law understands just how overwhelming it can be to cope with a disability while attempting to find and utilize all resources available to you. Many insurance policies are intentionally confusing, and some insurance agents will neglect to advertise the various services you can take advantage of. If you are receiving long-term disability benefits or other government-funded benefits, there is a good chance that rehabilitation and therapy programs are covered by your policy. With our experience in the disability benefits industry, we can help you explore the resources available to you and get them paid for by your existing benefits.

Our attorneys have years of experience navigating the disability insurance world. We know how to comb through insurance policies and negotiate with insurance agents to get you the benefits you deserve. Please don’t feel like you must give up on rehabilitation and therapy programs because they are not immediately available to you. Call our office today at 480-999-4740 to speak to a compassionate and experienced member of our team.