Long COVID and Disability Insurance Claims Part I
As more time passes in the pandemic, it is clear that people experience COVID differently. While some may be clear of the virus within a few weeks, others who have been infected may go on to experience long COVID (also called long-haul COVID, post-COVID and post-acute COIVD). Just like acute COVID, long COVID can cause a wide range of health issues that can last several weeks, months or even years.
According to the CDC[1], symptoms can vary person to person, but can include the following:
- Feelings of tiredness or fatigue that interfere with daily life;
- Post-exertional malaise
- Fever
- Respiratory and heart symptoms (chest pain, cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath)
- Neurological symptoms (sleep problems, headache, dizziness, brain fog, depression or anxiety)
- Digestive symptoms (diarrhea, stomach pain)
- Joint or muscle pain
- Rash
- Changes in menstrual cycles
According to the Mayo Clinic[2], risk factors for long COVID include:
- Having severe illness with COVID-19 (especially if hospitalized or needed intensive care)
- Having certain pre-existing medical conditions
- Having a condition that affected organs or tissues while sick with COVID-19 or afterwards
- Are an adult
While these are identified risk factors, anyone who has had COVID-19 can have long-term effects—even those with mild illness or no symptoms.
Because long COVID can last a significant period of time, those with it may need to file a long-term disability claim; however, we’ve seen insurers balk at paying such claims. Our next post will look at filing a disability insurance claim for long COVID in more detail. If you have been diagnosed with long COVID and are considering filing a disability insurance claim, please feel free to reach out to one of our attorneys directly.
These posts are for informative purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and diagnosis by a medical professional. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above and have yet to consult with a doctor, do not use this resource to self-diagnose. Please contact your doctor immediately and schedule an appointment to be evaluated for your symptoms.
[1] Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, updated June 17, 2022
[2] COVID-19: Long-term effects, Mayo Clinic, June 28, 2022
