In the last twenty years it has been suggested to me that I use Lindanee’s Blog as a marketing tool to “sell myself” as a Claims Consultant. Although I declined to do this, choosing not to use this site in that way, times have changed, people have changed, and the disability claims process has also changed. Perhaps a new way of offering my services should also change and take a new direction.
There are also those who call me to ask how they can do what I do. Although it’s very hard to prepare to become a Disability Claims Consultant, I truly feel that each individual brings their own skills to the table along with their own claims experiences and perspective.
Before I was hired by Unum I spent the previous ten years as an Assistant Professor of Accounting, teaching Taxation and Accounting at Andover College in Portland, ME. I also taught at the University of Southern Maine, and later spent some years as Dean of Faculty and Vice President of Academics at Andover. I enjoyed my teaching years very much, but in 1996 I was hired by Unum as an Executive Assistant to the VP of Compensation. I completed many projects for the CEO of Unum, James Orr III, including transacting the trading of stock for the top 26 VPs and the Board of Directors.
I became a claims handler assigned to the Central Benefits Administration handling Unum claims that had been awarded SSDI benefits. It was here that I became a Settlement and Contract Specialist. I subsequently went to work for two other claims processing departments and wound up working ten years in Unum’s various claims departments.
Therefore, it is extremely important for anyone trying to do what I do to have ACTUAL HANDS ON EXPERIENCE managing claims. There are some things inherent to the claims process that are only visible working disability claims through the “system.” By doing so, you become exposed to all parts of the claims process and are placed in positions where you can actually see ALL of the various parts of how the claims process works. I can’t tell you how beneficial it is to be able to rely on actual claims management experience. In fact, I know of several attorneys who have made disastrous mistakes because they are unaware of the claims process.
After leaving Unum I worked exclusively with attorneys for 2+ years as an expert witness. During that time, I gave 85 depositions and won as many cases through settlement. I wrote reports for attorneys and advised them how to identify where their cases were.In 2005 I took the state exams for Life & Health Consultant in the State of Maine, and passed.
Again, this experience was invaluable since I learned the legal aspects of claims management as well as the pros and cons of working with attorneys. I found out that like all professions there are both good and bad attorneys.
During the next 25 years, I managed/am managing approximately 2,500 disability claims as part of Disability Claims Solutions, Inc., a for-profit corporation. I have maintained a 98% success rate among the claims I managed to date. Therefore, when you think about it, I worked for Unum Life Insurance Company, UNUMProvident, went through the merger in 1999, worked with and for attorneys, and as a Consultant managing my own business for 25 years.
Those who know me understand that I take my responsibility as a Consultant very seriously. I don’t just tell you just what you want to hear, but let you know, frankly, and objectively what the status of your claim probably is, and what direction to go in, if you want to continue to receive benefits. I don’t walk on egg shells in order to advise you.
My education, experiences and skills are somewhat unique, but they certainly have contributed to my success as a Claims Consultant. Based on my experience, the most valuable skill I have is being able to talk with people at various levels, and resolve disability claims issues without conflict. It is a valuable skill to know how to communicate with insurance companies in ways they understand, and I have that skill.
If you would like to speak to me about coming on board as a client, please feel free to call or email me at any time. My email address is: lindanee.dcs@gmail.com and my phone number is: 207-793-4593. I also wrote a paper entitled, “From Lighthouse of the World to Outhouse Failure.” You can find it on my website located at: https://www.disabilityclaimssolutions.com
I look forward to speaking with you about your claims, and wish you all the best. More information about me and my services is located on my website.
Linda Nee
