Colonial Life Insurance Co. Abandoned When I Needed Them Most - My Benefits Did NOT Count Detroit, Michigan

I still cannot believe it.  Colonial Life Insurance Company who took premiums from me since 1994, will not honor a disability claim for severe arthritis in my knees and severe lumbar stenosis.  I was in a terrible car accident in 2009 and was off a year due to pain, physical therapy and mental anquish.  Colonial paid the claim, however, told me if I was to be off any longer, I needed to file for disability.  I went back to work.  Over the course of the last 2 years, I have had to stop working twice due to pain from the accident.  In March 2012, Colonial Representative who came to the high school to service clients and possibly gain new customers, told me my policy was outdated and I needed to change the disability (accident) to also include (sickness).  Well I changed my policy indicating that I may need to be off again for surgery.  The representative assured me that if that happens, Colonial would pay me under the old policy. 

In April 2012, I had to be off again.  The pain meds I could not function at work with the pain meds and I was still in a lot of pain.  I signed myself into a hospital to be taken off the meds and since I had a medical bridge to cover me $1000 in the instance of a 24 hour hospital stay, filed a claim.  It was denied saying phychological is not covered.  OK, fine.  Because I was now off the meds, the pain I was experiencing when I left the hospital was staggering.  The doctor sent me for x-rays to the knees because I was having a lot of pain in my left knee.  The diagnosis was severe arthritis in one knee and moderate in the other.  Severe Lumbar Stenosis L4 and L5.  I would be off for a while and determined to go through with the Lumbar surgery.  I am being treated for the arthritis and stenosis by specialist.  The Lumbar surgeon says it is imperative that I have surgery and I am risking paralysis by not doing so. 

In walks Colonial Life: 

Denies my claim says the knees is pre-existing. 
Denies my claim says the accident is pre-existing although they paid a year 2009-2010 when I was off previously. 
Denies my claim again after quoting dates the doctor saw me for knees and the doctor faxed information clarifying that the dates in question were not for the knees. 

Colonial informs me that my policy is cancelled because the employer stopped making payments when I went out on illness leave.  So the upgraded policy in March that I have had for almost 10 years is CANCELLED????  Where is the letter saying payment was due?  Where is the letter I sent saying I wanted to continue coverage and would pay premiums myself that I received no response to??? 

This is an outrage!  I am entitled to the $1800 per month disability.  I'm tired and have sent them claim forms, notes from doctor, medical records, etc. 

Another insurance company that I have disability insurance for two accounts at the credit union, requested medical records to rule out pre-existing conditions and paid the claim...no problem.  Colonial is giving me the run-around because they do not want to pay this claim that I am entitled to.  I feel like I was ripped off, lied to and ridiculed. 

There has to be someone who can help me.  I am tired, frustrated and cannot get myself prepared for surgery because I am worried about how the rent, car payment, etc. will be paid.  I paid into this policy to be there when I needed it.  I trusted Colonial to be there when I needed them.  Their moto is "Making Benefits Count."  What about mine?  What a callous, mean, underhanded way to treat a 10 year customer.