It’s beginning to seem like deja vu with all of the claim denials Unum is making. The public is again beginning to realize the company’s unfair tactics to back-up their denials. My initial reaction, especially, is the one item in the Multi-State Settlement Agreement that found UnumProvident relying overwhelmingly on its own internal reviews.
I have always said that it is always easier for an insurer to deny claims unfairly when the only opinion it considers are its own. Unum’s internal physicians are reviewing claims, sometimes more than one, and are documenting their opinions without having direct contact with the insured at all. Peer paper reviews are generally not as credible, but Unum is an expert at this type of bad faith.
Today, Unum’s “Hungry Vulture” is once again showing its ugly head with misrepresented medical reviews that create the illusion that insureds can work at least a sedentary occupation. In combination with its third-party paper chasers, the company is able to harass treatment providers by calling their offices every day and disrupting patient care. Insureds are afraid they will be dropped by their primary physicians, which may be part of Unum’s intent to harass to begin with.
It also appears that Unum is back tracking Mental and Nervous claims, a most recent case in point is Unum went back 11 years to an expired M&N provision, re-examined for physical disability and then denied the claim. This is real egregious, unfair claims practices stuff. Those who have Unum claims need to sit up and take close notice of everything that is going on with the claim. Unum’s docs are contacting treating physicians across the board, and IF your docs are speaking to Unum’s docs, it is likely the claim will be denied before year-end.
I’m not trying to scare anyone, but based on what I’m seeing right now, Unum is engaging in unfair claims practices in many of the same ways it has in the past. It’s time to wake up folks and see what’s going on here.
Just a word: I’m not writing this blog to solicit business, as I’m sure some people will accuse me of. Whether you decide to contact me, or not, you need to know what you are up against with Unum Group. You should be made aware of the bad faith that is emerging from this company once again.
,You can contact me and I’m here to help. Remember, if your claim is denied, it’s too late for me to represent you as your Consultant, and you have to be referred to an attorney.
Please let me know if you need help. Remember, I have reduced my fees until the end of December. Beginning Jan 1 my fees will go back up to what they were before.
