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...

Individual Disability Income polices can be rescinded for several reasons such as failure to pay premium, and inaccuracies, knowingly or otherwise, written on application forms. “Rescinded” basically means terminated, or lapsed.  Sometimes it can come as a...

Although I’ve written many articles about insurance surveillance, I often get the feeling insureds may read the articles but then settle back with a “Ho-Hum” apathy that often gets them in trouble. Disregarding the high volumes of information now...

Insurance companies clearly are not operating in any organized, centralized way. The disability claims process, whether we like it or not, has evolved into a totally disorganized “cluster-duck” in most cases, not even primarily located in the United...

Contrary to what most people might think, the Dishonest Age of Disability insurance is likely over. If you think about it, Unum’s Multi-State Settlement took place over 20 years ago. CIGNA disability doesn’t exist anymore, and in my opinion, insurance...

  Most people who believe they are claim disabled usually dig out their Plan or policy from the attic and look for the definition of disability. From that point on, many mistakenly attempt to fit their medical situation and circumstances into what they interpret...

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that insurance companies would conduct surveillance with the intent of gathering information to deny your claim by year-end. However, it’s at this time of year that insurance surveillance is the most used activity of risk...

Please be advised that I’ve written a 9 page White Paper on “The Disability Application Process.” While most of the articles here presume a longer claim history, it might be helpful to have information on the Application Process for those who are...

Most people will say they are “all set” when it comes to health insurance related issues mainly because while disability insurance in “an all-in your pocket assumption”, health insurance is an all out of pocket expenditure including co-pays,...

I haven’t written very much this year about new claims mostly because it is presumed that the majority of readers to Lindanee’s Blog have claims that are ongoing. Nevertheless, I think all insureds with claims at various levels of review may find something...

Here we are at the end of 2023 and it’s difficult to imagine where the year went. Typically, this is the time of year when I give specific information about DCS and it’s remarkable accomplishments on behalf of clients with disability claims. There are well...

If anyone has been through the hoops with disability insurers I would be my top pick. I worked through the Unum Life Insurance years, the UNUMProvident years, Unum Group years and now the post CO_ID years. A great deal changed in these time periods, and as a result of...

Did you know that insurance companies have many different versions of forms? Claims handlers are often told to “use up the old forms first” before sending out the new ones. In addition, there are Questionnaires, Narratives, and Physician forms that many...

There are still many insureds and claimants who are speaking on the phone with insurance companies looking for evidence to deny claims. Despite “best practice” recommendations, it appears insureds may feel more in control of situations if they speak...

Since we are coming up on end-of-the-year profitability targeting, I am once again reminding everyone of a few basic “best practice” rules when it comes to filling out insurance Questionnaires. Your responses could mean the difference between a paid claim,...

If I were to ask the average claimant what “material and substantial” means relative to an ERISA Plan or IDI claim, the response would most likely be, “important.” However, it might surprise claimants and insureds to know that there is a...

Insurance requests for tax returns always brings up the question, “Do I have to give them my tax return?” The answer depends on the circumstances, and is a conflict for the insured with a 50% win potential. Very few Plans and policies actually require the...

Although I don’t mention it very often, I’m also schooled and credentialed in Health and Life Insurance. Therefore, I’m taking the opportunity to speak to “Medicare Advantage Plans”, which may or may not be a good choice for you. I think...

This is just a reminder that we are nearing end of the year claim reviews. Many claims may already be targeted with IMEs, surveillance, and phone interviews with treating physicians. It’s time to pay attention to what insurers are asking for, or trying to obtain...

Most people receiving Medicare Parts A&B probably don’t realize that it doesn’t cover the costs of a live-in nursing home. Although Medicare pays some costs for Home Health Care, it does not cover the expense of admission to a full-care  nursing home....