Topics Of Interest – Short Shorts
Insurance companies have resurrected using what I refer to as “third-party paper chasers. Please Point is just one of the companies who are hired to chase medical paperwork for disability claims. Clamify is another one. These companies have always harassed...
Unum Claim Denials -“Bad Apples, Again”
As my readers are aware, I’ve been writing articles about insurance companies and recent tendencies, particularly Unum, to deny claims using “retro” or “old” unfair claims practices. On Friday, I had the opportunity to review two...
Claim Fear – Why Am I So Afraid?
I haven’t written about “fearfulness” in quite some time. Over the last few years, it seemed to me that most insureds were dealing with the anxiety associated with their claims fairly well, and I hadn’t felt the need to mention it. However,...
If You Go The Attorney Route- Be Careful
Within the last 6 months or so, several people who have called (non-clients) to say they hired an attorney and they want my help because the attorney isn’t doing anything. Attorneys are retained for claim appeals, or possible settlements, but I found out today...
Know What You’re Eating
My readers may, or may not know, that I am an absolute fanatic, (granola head, really), about food additives and toxic food. No, I’m not a skinny rail, nor vegetarian or vegan, but careful about what goes into the food I serve my family. If you’re asking...
Good Passover, Easter Or Other Observance
I would like to wish everyone a great holiday this weekend. Given the times in which we live, for me, each holiday brings a family observance and spiritual remembrance of times past that I try to keep alive as best I can. I wish everyone all things good, and may...
Settlements – Saying “Goodbye” To Your Claim
We are only 2 days away from 1st Qtr. profitability and Unum has been prolific in its offering of settlements. It’s not surprising, and I’m sure quite a few insureds are taking advantage of the offers. While in the past, I’ve not recommended taking a...
National Coalition Of Disability Insureds Now Defunct
Sadly,I am announcing that the sister non-profit corporation to DCS, Inc., the National Coalition of Disability Insureds is now defunct. Although it was originally created to give insureds and claimants a voice with federal and state regulators, it never seemed to...
Managing Mental Health Claims
Given the fact that insurers are bringing back “the old” egregious claims practices, it’s a good idea to review a few “best practices” for managing behavioral health claims. Nearly all Employer Group ERISA Plans limit mental health...
First Quarter Profitability Reporting
Lately I’ve been posting articles relating to the insurance industry’s latest resurgence of egregious claims practices resembling those of 20 years ago. Due to the increase in claim terminations, it’s a good idea to review the claims review process...
Stacking The Deck Practices Are Back!
I am receiving more and more calls about insurance companies trying to deny claims. And, although I’ve been writing blogs about the rampage, I suspect insureds may not be taking me seriously. Unum in particular seems to be harassing claimants about chasing...
Tricks Of The Trade – Unum Guardian And Lincoln
It’s been quite a while since I’ve felt the need to write about harmful claims practices that are outside of the requirement of “good faith and fair dealing.” In fact, these resurrected claims practices are from about 10-15 years ago, but have...
The Insanity Of Surveillance – Lincoln
This article could be considered an addendum to the last one I wrote regarding surveillance. Since my last article on the subject, additional reports have come to light making insurance surveillance the number one risk management tool to terminate claims. Lincoln...
Are You Taking Surveillance Seriously?
I’m pretty sure I’ve written close to 200 articles, plus a White Paper on insurance surveillance. AND, I’ve been told here and there, “Oh Linda, you get so redundant sometimes, I don’t read all of your articles.” Still, I keep...
Have You Been Speaking With AI?
There are reports coming in referencing all insurance companies confirming the use of AI in their claims evaluation processes. Unum seems to be the frontrunner although I can honestly say that I haven’t noticed speaking to anyone but a human. The notion of using...
Unum Bad Practices In Operation
In several of my past articles I’ve written about how insurance companies today are disorganized and not reputable. I don’t know whether my readers think I’m just trying to scare every body, but Unum’s mode of operation, in particular, is...
Legal Malpractice Regarding IDI Claims
Well, I haven’t had to write a negative article about a practicing disability attorney in a long time. I actually had high hopes that attorneys were becoming more in-tune with the disability claims process and were making much better recommendations....
The Issue of SSDI Overpayments
As most ERISA claimants know, most LTD group policies contain a provision allowing for the reduction of monthly benefits by any amounts received from SSDI. This means your disability insurer has been allowed by federal law to use the social security system to...
A Short Story – More Often True Than Not
The Butterfly Figurine by Linda Nee Martha kissed her two small children goodbye and watched them closely as they ran toward the school bus, lunch boxes flailing, and backpacks slipping off their small shoulders. It was a beautiful day in southern Maine. The sun...
Is The Insurance Industry Falling Apart? Postal Services?
As a Consultant who manages disability claims nationally, I often hear the big picture of what’s going on, and lately I don’t like what I’m hearing. Government and state agencies no longer have the resources to provide insureds with much needed...
