Rheumatologists are the doctors who specialize in treating diseases of the joints and muscles, like lupus.

Is lupus considered a critical illness?

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes a wide range of mild to life-threatening conditions that require hospitalization and critical care.

Is lupus considered a pre existing condition?

What’s a pre-existing condition? A pre-existing condition is a health problem you had before the date that your new health coverage starts. Pre-existing conditions include epilepsy, cancer, diabetes, lupus, sleep apnea, and many more.

Can you get Medicare if you have lupus?

People with lupus who need long term dialysis treatment for chronic kidney disease or require a kidney transplant will qualify for Medicare immediately after they are determined to be disabled. In general, Medicare pays 80 percent of reasonable charges.

How long do lupus patients live?

For people with lupus, some treatments can increase the risk of developing potentially fatal infections. However, the majority of people with lupus can expect a normal or near-normal life expectancy. Research has shown that many people with a lupus diagnosis have been living with the disease for up to 40 years.

Can lupus go away?

In some people, lupus will flare, become inactive (quiescent), and go into remission—this course of the disease may or may not occur regularly throughout their life. In other people, lupus will remain in a chronic (long-lasting) state of activity. Some people will have fairly frequent flares of illness.

Is lupus a disability for Social Security?

For Social Security’s purposes, lupus qualifies as a disability when it meets these conditions: It involves two or more organs or body systems. It includes at least two major signs or symptoms, such as severe fatigue, fever, malaise, and involuntary weight loss.