| Life can throw you a curve ball when you least | | | | of your duties from home? This may keep you from |
| expect it. One day everything is fine and the next day | | | | having to use short term disability, allowing you to |
| you find yourself faced with a major injury and the | | | | receive a full salary while you recuperate. |
| possibility of surgery. Some illnesses are hereditary and | | | | 9. Will you be able to stay alone while you recuperate? |
| can be expected to occur later in life, but many | | | | If you are single or live alone and must remain immobile, |
| medical situations can have a vast impact on family, | | | | what family member can move in with you? Can you |
| friends and of course the patient, especially when they | | | | move in with someone else until you fully recuperate? |
| occur unexpectedly. | | | | Will they expect you to pay rent or other expenses? |
| Here are some things to consider and questions to ask | | | | 10. Who will take you to the doctor if you cannot drive |
| yourself, your doctor and others who might possibly | | | | yourself? Will someone have to take time off from |
| become involved with your medical situation: | | | | their job to drive you there? |
| 1. Talk to your employer about how much short term | | | | 11. What flexibility if any do you have in paying your |
| or long term disability you will receive and what | | | | medical expenses? |
| percentage of your salary it will cover. | | | | These are all legitimate questions and at times the |
| 2. Should you get a second or even a third opinion | | | | answers can be frightening when faced with an injury. |
| about your medical situation before deciding on | | | | Experiencing an accident or unexpected illness may |
| surgery or other medical procedures? | | | | change your flow of daily activities, your way of living |
| 3. Where will the additional income come from to | | | | and your outlook on life, but the one key to maintaining |
| supplement your short or long term disability | | | | some control over the situation is not to panic, and |
| coverage? Do you have a retirement plan, 401K, IRA | | | | begin to analyze everything and determine what |
| or some other account you can withdraw money | | | | options you may have and most of all, keep a positive |
| from? Will you have to repay the money to the | | | | outlook on the situation. |
| account? | | | | If you find that you cannot pay your bills on time |
| 4. Can family help you with your medical expenses? | | | | because of your illness, notify your creditors, utility |
| Will they expect the money back? | | | | companies and others about your situation so they |
| 5. Can you afford to take leave without pay from your | | | | won't get the impression that you don't care about |
| job? | | | | paying your bills. They may be willing to work out a |
| 6. How long will your employer allow you to be off | | | | payment plan. |
| from work? How long is he or she willing to leave your | | | | It is a good idea sometimes to research your options |
| position open? | | | | before an injury or illness occurs. Discuss a plan of |
| 7. If you have no additional money that will help pay the | | | | action with family members and close friends. Be |
| bills, are you able to take on freelance work while | | | | prepared as much as possible by checking with your |
| recovering? | | | | employer and insurance company in advance to find |
| 8. Will your employer allow you to perform some or all | | | | out what your rights and limitations are. |