hi all christmans 2016 went on holidays from work , (work in disability which is very emotionally and physically demanding) only to be dx with bc. Feel ripped off have exhausted all sick pay and holiday pay (was a holiday from hell)after having a mastecemony , axillary clearance , zoladex 2nd cycle and now at radiationion stage. Feel like crap and financially Broke . I have oncology appointment tomorrow which likely will start arimadex . Later in year will have diep reconstruction. i phoned up my super fund a few weeks back thinking to cash in and get some money to survive s few months only to be pleasantly surprised I have income protection and tpd cover. There is heaps of paperwork involved and don't even know if I qualify . What I do know is that regardless I don't see myself returning to such work as I don't feel physically and emotionally for such s big responsibility . Onyone been down this road ? With some advise

Hello! I have just gone through the process! It does take a little time and effort but is worth it! Send me a pm if you would like me to elaborate further. Take care.kind wishes Sandra

Hi @Dandelion...I have income protection and had the same response when my GP asked if I had it...I said "I'm not sick enough" and her response was "OMG Nikki...you've got breast cancer!!!" The forms are a pain, but we've more or less gotten into the rhythm of filling them out every 3 months.Here's my advice:- meet with your GP monthly- keep a record of all medical appointments (I type them up as an attachment to the form...they seriously cannot argue with this)- try and ensure you have a case manager for whom you have a phone number, or at the very least, a direct email- be confident that your diagnosis does fit under the impairment definitions- do not feel guilty - this is your right, not your privilege and part of your cover as part of your superNxx

Thanks so much @Scooper, I sent you a pm :) WOW @nikkid your so right about the guilt . That I need to work on . I'd be more than happy to pay them to take away the cancer dx so your right this is my entitlement . Thank you for the tips yes I will try and get a diary that's organised , Iv just shoved everything in a folder x

@Dandelion Ive been down this road and luckily still have income protection until January 2018. I work in education and my Vic Super also had the component of income protection, I didnt find this til nearly 12 months after my diagnosis and 6 months after treatment. I too exhausted all leave grrrr!!!! BUT it is alot of paperwork but do not get overwhelmed firstly! Step through each one, I had to include reports from both my Surgeon and Oncologist and I had 6yrs worth eventhough this was the first time applying for my 2nd diagnosis in 2015. Its through AMP and my Case Manager is amazing!! I work currently 3 days a week but cannot manage 5 as like you my job with Autistic Children is too demanding! I would have liked to have looked at TPD as my Oncologist said I cannot continue to do this work. The super has some tough guidelines though unless I had metastatic BC I wouldnt qualify. Happy to help you, feel free to contact with any queries at all that I can help. Hugs Melinda xo

@melclarity, thank you so much . I think many are an aware they have income protection and surprised/relieved when finding out. Lucky I didn't withdraw and close my account as I seriously had no idea I had these extra .Mine reads I have two years protection , but that is a shame about the tpd particularly when your oncologist has stated you cannot continue with your work . Doesn't seem fair to be rejected. I wonder if that is your fund or all funds . I'm with first health super . Geez Melinda what are you going to do about work ? I'm trying to think up new brain waves but planning the week meals is proving challenging at the moment for me . I got motivated today and sorted out my paper work and will bring in forms to my oncologist tomorrow and see what she says. Thanks I might get back to you with more questions xxxx

Income protection/tpd cover | BCNA Online Network

nikkid
Member
8 years ago
Yes @Dandelion, my GP completes my forms (they come every 3 months). She include all details from the various specialists I see. I always attach a list of my appointments over that time period, including any procedure. my GP has done this for several patients and argued that the insurers cannot ignore a GP report.
Dandelion
Member
8 years ago
Il fire
Dandelion
Member
8 years ago
Thanks ❤️ ok I won't be defeated
Anne94
Member
8 years ago
Hi @Dandelion
I went through my gp to fill out all my paperwork for income protection & he printed out all the results of the scans, oncologist reports etc. I also spoke to the workplace health & safety coordinator ( she will plan my return to work requirements)
I'm sorry your oncologist wasn't very empathetic, that makes the diagnosis feel even more limiting & isolating.
kind regards
anne
primek
Member
8 years ago
Oh crap @Dandelion. I guess you need to see how you go. I kept hoping I would be able to go back to work then after round 3 (my bp barely sat above 95 on chemo) my oncologist just wrote the certificate until end of treatment. I then chose to use GP for the rest and did a graduated certificate to return to work as I was so physically weak. After chemo I needed about 6 weeks until I felt well enough to return. Many women can do it without problem. Many cannot. Not only could I not physically work but I couldn't mentally work. I needed the time to process this whole bc thing, grieve and deal with my fears...head on.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
@Dandelion go back and read @nikkid she did it through her GP x Breathe...its so stressful but I believe can be done x
Dandelion
Member
8 years ago
@melclarity, thanks Mel . Yes I need to breath, bloody stressful x
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
@Dandelion Sorry! I read your post/update and was FUMING!!!! Firstly, how dare your Oncologist tell you what you should or shouldn't do!!! You know yes, lots of women work through and lots don't. I worked through first diagnosis rads in 2011, but 2015 there was no way through chemo. So what you do is go to your Radiologist, they are the one you need to speak to about it, you are entitled to use your Income Protection. My Oncologist only did mine I believe as I was suffering from the effects of chemo and said it can take a year or more to get over it. the other thing he documented in my paperwork to the insurance company was of Arimidex I am on and side effects that will prevent me working successfully in a full time capacity at what I do whilst I am on it.

So deep breath, the Oncologist only has to fill in the information of your diagnosis, the Radiologist should be able to take it from there. So go and see them, dont give up just yet! You could even take it up with your GP, as long as you have all your reports, they can recommend I think too. Hugs Melinda xo
Dandelion
Member
8 years ago
Well I had a pretty upsetting day today after speaking with oncologist.
When I mentioned income protection she looked baffled and said why plenty of people work through their treatment I also mentioned Im not ready to go back to work and am to have further reconstruction after my radiation and she says they just swope over the inplant . When I mention I'm having a deip recon she's counting months and was just not understanding at all . She first mentioned to take the form to my radiation oncologist then said go see a physiologist. Recommend one and then she'll speak with her .
I feel sad about I have such a non understanding oncologist.
I got a script for aromasin and an appointment to see her in six months . Or if any problems see her earlier . :(
crap !!! I have income protection and my oncologist thinks I should go back to work .
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
Im confused too LOL, best to talk direct and they'll be able to alleviate it all. My Income Protection only pays 65% of my full time salary, better than nothing, its for 2yrs, so since 2016 Ive worked 3 days and will til the end of the year and they pay 65% of the 2 days I don't work. Currently though since end of Feb im full time on income protection due to mastectomy/diep flap reconstruction. So am not in a hurry to go back to be honest as its a demanding job physically, mentally. So Im covered til Jan 2018, but thats it then have to work full time after that which is a major worry. x