Money Management For Future Disability Part I
One of the most destructive reactions to those with private disability is “fear.” Although I write about it quite often, I’m not sure my message is understood as something that can be planned for and controlled, or just part of a complex system gone...
How Many Times Is Unum Going To Recalculate?
Most people receiving disability insurance look to receive monthly benefits when they can’t work due to medical impairment. However, if you have a Unum claim it may seem as though you are continuously paying THEM and not the other way around. We all are aware of...
Returning To Work – A Sunday Editorial
There’s been a great deal of talk lately from insureds looking for advice about returning to work after a disability, and that’s a good thing. I am of the opinion that it is physically and emotionally healthy to return to work after a period of disability,...
When Insurers Laugh At You
Some years back one of my investigators read the Facebook pages of many of Unum’s claims handlers and managers and discovered the following comment on a managers page: “Insureds are like slinkys, they aren’t worth anything, but you sure do like to...
A Front Page Worthy Post
This kind of thing has been going on at Unum for the last 25 years that I know of. Had this former Unum employee made these comments publicly in 2000, lawyers and the press would be all over her. Today, the fact that regulators, and attorneys looking for free...
October’s DCS Report News Letter
The focus of October’s newsletter will be about the popular subject of “Surveillance.” If you have not already subscribed, please process your annual subscription fee of $25 through Pay Pal and I will add you to the distribution list. I will also...
Liberty to Lincoln – Change Isn’t Always A Good Thing
While disability insurance companies are grouping together in a last ditch to remain solvent, mergers and take-overs may seem at first to be a good idea, but claimants are the ultimate victims. I never considered “Lincoln” to be a fair evaluator of claims...
FRIDAY Q & A
Can I receive Workers’ Compensation and STD? No. Most, if not all, STD Plans do not pay STD in addition to injuries covered by Workers’ Compensation. It’s an either or scenario. In fact, private disability insurers love to hand-off injuries to WC even when “sickness”...
UNUM HUB INVESTIGATOR’S COMMENT
Yesterday I noticed a negative comment posted on Lindanee’s Blog by a Unum Hub Investigator who was having a problem with me throwing all field investigators into one negative basket. The comment has been deleted. While I encourage people to post comments expressing...
WIB – WORK INCENTIVE BENEFIT PROGRAM
Nearly all Employer Group claims contain provisions that provide incentive for claimants to return to work part-time in some fashion. The monetary advantage is usually gained during the first 12 months. The WIB provisions basically say that if a claimant returns to...
WIB – Work Incentive Benefit Program
Nearly all Employer Group claims contain provisions that provide incentive for claimants to return to work part-time in some fashion. The monetary advantage is usually gained during the first 12 months. The WIB provisions basically say that if a claimant returns to...
Unum HUB Investigator’s Comment
Yesterday I noticed a negative comment posted on Lindanee’s Blog by a Unum Hub Investigator who was having a problem with me throwing all field investigators into one negative basket. The comment has been deleted. While I encourage people to post comments...
Friday Q & A
Can I receive Workers’ Compensation and STD? No. Most, if not all, STD Plans do not pay STD in addition to injuries covered by Workers’ Compensation. It’s an either or scenario. In fact, private disability insurers love to hand-off injuries to WC...
The Art Of War – Communication
As a former employee of Unum Life Insurance and UNUMProvident, I’ve seen thousands of communications from claimants; had just as many phone conversations; and have been called quite a few names—some good, some bad, some crazy and pretty out there. Kidding aside, here...
Early Is On Time – On Time Is Late
Unfortunately, some claimants are getting a bit lax when it comes to updating paperwork and obtaining APS statements signed by treating physicians. Although in the past, insurers have been OK with reasonable extensions, that is no longer the case. Those who have been...
September Newsletter – Medical Reporting Focus
Please know that the September issue of the DCS, Inc. newsletter will be released September 1, 2019. The yearly subscription fee is $25 and can be paid through Pay Pal using my email address: DCS@metrocast.net. The focus of the newsletter will be reporting on medical...
Interesting Email – Case Story
Thank you to the Blog reader who sent me this email. Sharing is a good way to help others understand their own unique claims. I couldn’t do it without you! You were very kind to give me your thoughts on my situation in the past. I wanted to give you an update...
A Disability Planning Guide Is Definitely Needed
Over the years I have taken the position through recommendations and articles that all American employees should obtain copies of their Group Plans, read them, and develop a “Plan B.” I really never described or went into detail what a “Plan B”...
Beware Of Attorneys Who Don’t Know Anything!
Those of you who read this Blog on a regular basis know I’m not too kind to attorneys. Part of my bias stems from their abuse of me during my whistleblower days, but mostly because they accept disability cases when they have absolutely no idea what they are...
Firefighter – Great Human Interest Story
A great read. Please take the time to read this article. Thank you to a great insured who has supported DCS, Inc. for a very long time! I appreciate your sending me this article....
