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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

  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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

I believe my readers might be mildly surprised at how many insureds just don’t want to make their insurance company mad at them. Actually, I hear this all the time, “Will Unum be mad if me if I do this?”, or, “I don’t want to make my...

In 2024 DCS, Inc. already received several kudos for the quality of information obtained on Lindanee’s Blog. Testimonies from insureds include being able to manage claims successfully by themselves rather than hiring someone for assistance. Given that’s...

There is a growing trend of insureds with IDI policies who  do not have a good understanding of what the policies insure and what they do not. While the contracts set criteria for “disability”, the larger definitive umbrella defines “loss of...