Hematological Disorders
Conditions affecting the blood and blood-forming tissues
What it covers
Hemolytic anemias (like sickle cell disease, thalassemia), disorders of thrombosis/hemostasis (like hemophilia, thrombocytopenia), bone marrow failure disorders (like aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes), treatments like bone marrow/stem cell transplants.
What SSA looks for
Diagnosis confirmed by specific lab tests (like blood smears, bone marrow biopsy). Criteria often involve frequency and severity of complications: Sickle Cell: Frequent painful crises needing strong pain meds (e.g., 6+ times/year). General Complications: Multiple hospitalizations (e.g., 3+ times/year) due to the disorder. Anemia: Very low hemoglobin levels measured multiple times. Transfusions: Requiring life-long blood transfusions very frequently (e.g., every 6 weeks for beta thalassemia major or certain bone marrow failures). Transplants: Automatically considered disabled for 12 months post-transplant. Functioning: SSA also considers limitations in daily living, social functioning, and concentration/persistence/pace caused by the disorder or its treatment.
