Many years ago I heard the expression “those who manage your money also manage you”, and although the saying is true for everyone, it particularly expresses the mental and emotional state of individuals with disability claims. Depending on an insurance company for financial support is a very humbling experience to begin with. It robs the individual of their power to have control over their life at a time when physical or mental health increases dependence on family and friends and self-esteem is at an all-time low.
Living fearfully each month, waiting for the disability check or electronic deposit to arrive raises stress levels to an almost unmanageable level. Claimants report to me that they rarely just “pick up their phone” being fearful of seeing the caller-ID from the insurance company. A short trip to the supermarket causes insureds to continuously look behind and around them for fear of being watched. Mail received from the insurance company sits on the table for days while the insured gathers the courage to open it.
There is no doubt but that those who depend on insurance claims for financial support suffer from an additional disability called “fear” and suffer all of the mental and nervous symptoms generally associated with it. For some, the fear of managing a disability claim actually becomes the disability itself over time.
Although disability insurers do their best to encourage claimants to be fearful, insureds actually have more power than they think they do. There are generally two parties to the disability contract and the insured has the right to ask questions without fear of intimidation or termination of claim.
Let’s consider. If the insurance company is successful in keeping you on the edge of your seat, you cannot respond with a clear head when they call you with a “firebell in the night” request for a phone interview. You may try harder to convince the insurance company your claim is credible and therefore talk too much. From the perspective of the disability insurer there is a great deal to be gained by keeping the insured fearful, tearful, and helpful to their own demise.”
When asked to visit this site and post comments, one client said, “I don’t want to use my real name because I don’t want Unum following me anymore. I’m afraid they will do that.” That’s a lot of fear from a claimant who has been receiving benefits from Unum for 3 years. It’s hard to live with, but we understand. It takes a long time to get over being scared about not getting a monthly benefit check when there is no other income.
To those reading this article please realize you are not alone. You are fearful, not because of a lack of character or personal attribute, but because the process of applying for, and managing a disability claim is designed deliberately by others to make and keep you fearful. In fact, anyone who depends on financial support from another source experiences the same fear and emotional trauma as everyone else.
A possible first step in managing this type of fear is in the recognition it has been deliberately created by a business entity dedicated to creating profit for stockholders and has nothing to do with any personal failing you might think you have. Disability insurers have designed the claim process in such a way to make you feel insecure and fearful until you just give in and go back to work unhealthy or walk away from an ERISA appeal. Recognizing where the fear is coming from and why is in itself – healing.
