Patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma face significant hardship, pain, and challenge. The rare, fatal form of cancer takes many forms but is always considered fatal, and in addition to shortening victims’ lives it often leads to expensive and invasive medical interventions. In recognition of the disease’s impact, the Social Security Administration has long included pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma in their Compassionate Allowances Program, and last year they added pericardial mesothelioma to the list of approved conditions.
Pericardial Mesothelioma is Among the Rarest Forms of Mesothelioma
In a press release issued last August, the Social Security Administration included pericardial mesothelioma on its list of conditions that had been identified as appropriate for their Compassionate Allowances Program. The Compassionate Allowances Program recognizes specific diseases as being severe enough to warrant expedited decisions regarding disability benefits.
In remarks on the addition of pericardial mesothelioma and eleven other maladies to the list of approved conditions, Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security said, “Our Compassionate Allowances program helps us address barriers by helping accelerate the disability application process for people who are likely to get approved for benefits due to the severity of their medical condition.”
Pericardial Mesothelioma Patients Require Support
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of the asbestos-related disease, with only a few hundred cases ever recorded. The cancer’s tumors envelop the lining tissue that surrounds the heart, creating severe disability. The addition of the disease to the Social Security Administration’s list means patients can simply submit medical confirmation of their diagnosis and then quickly have their disability claims approved.
Prior to pericardial mesothelioma being added to the list, patients were required to provide the agency with their comprehensive medical records, a process that is time consuming and unwieldy. Benefits average between $800 and $1,800 per month, with a maximum monthly benefit of $3,011 paid in 2020. This type of quick and accessible financial support is critical for those facing this dire diagnosis.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with any type of mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help you access a number of valuable resources. For more information, contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
