Be Smart And Know What You’re Doing
More insureds than ever are trying to manage their own claims to save money. I get it. Expert assistance is not cheap and it certainly isn’t free. However, there are several aspects of claims management that are absolutely essential for success. Therefore, here...
Going Back To Work
Of the thousands of people I’ve had as clients over the years nearly 100% expressed an optimistic view of returning to work “someday.” The thought of “not working” is as unAmerican as it gets. And yet, despite the longing to return to...
Suggestion Box
I know it’s hard to believe, but after 20 years of writing Lindanee’s Blog I’ve run out of interesting subjects to write about. Yep, I began this Blog over 20 years ago starting with Newsletter articles in a column called, “Inside...
Need To Know Information Part I- For The New Insured
This article might just be one of the most important articles you’ll read concerning your disability claim this year. There are certain protocols, and understandings all insureds need to have in order to properly protect yourselves against insurers who...
Consultant vs. Attorney
In the last month or so I’ve been contacted by several people looking for appeals help because their claims were denied, mostly ERISA. Unfortunately, I am not permitted to be “out front” for claimants or insureds on appeals, but am only permitted to...
How Short-Term Disability Works
Short-term disability is not reviewed in the same way as LTD. Those of you who are just starting your claims may have already noticed how time intensive it is to manage a short-term disability claim. Most advocates, lawyers included, fail to realize the review abuses...
A Word About Treating Physicians
While today there are many disability physicians who freely give their time to document disability, there are just as many physicians who are easily persuaded to throw their patients under the perverbial bus by unethical insurance physicians who leave their medical...
Saturday That N’ That
Communicating with claims handlers by email is not a good idea and isn’t recommended by DCS. I understand that the trend today is to use texts and emails, but it could result in disaster for those with disability claims All written documents are discoverable in...
Sunday Tidbits And This And That
I am so often asked what the state of the claims processes are these days and I haven’t really taken the time to explain. First, I think we need to recap what’s happened over the last few years that continues to affect the way disability claims are now...
From Lighthouse Of The World To Outhouse Failure
Part I of my book is now published on my website located at http://www.disabilityclaimssolutions.com. Attorneys who litigated claims between 1996 and 2000 might be interested in reading the cultural history of Unum as well as the claims practices that were used during...
Unum’s Predetermined Recovery Periods
Recent letters from Unum show indications that the company is once again using some sort of software (or review tactic) to arbitrarily assign recovery dates to claims. For the last twenty-five years Unum used, off and on, a desktop software called MDA, to identify...
From Lighthouse To The World To Outhouse Failure
I’ve finally completed the first 106 pages of my book entitled, “From Lightouse to the World, to Outhouse Failure.” I’ve asked my webmaster to upload it to my website located at http://www.disabilityclaimssolutions.com. The book will be printed...
Living With A Disability Claim – Absolute Control
In my twenty-five years of claim Consulting I have come across individual families who, when one spouse becomes disabled, develops a much needed support group consisting of a non-disabled spouse and related family. While family support is generally a good thing, it...
MetLife Is Not Working Well
Several encounters with MetLife recently show problems with menu and written communications to anyone trying to reach the company. In fact, in my articles I have always described communications with MetLife as “waking the dead” anyway, but several...
A Funny But True Surveillance Story
Sometimes I just have to sit back and have a brief chuckle when it’s obvious insurance companies have lost their minds! This is a true story of an Emergency Room physician who was surveilled in the middle of the night. It’s OK to smile along… Dr. Don...
Golf Is NOT A Disability Sport
The number one question I am always asked about activities and surveillance is whether or not insureds can play golf. Although my answer is always “No”, not everyone follows good advice, and unfortunately claims are denied as a result of headstrong...
The Hartford – Argumentative, Aggressive And Arrogant
Recently, several claimants reported to me that The Hartford denied their claims, without any warning, and proceeded to be as rude as possible during the “notification” phone call. I’m really sorry claimants have to go through this, but The...
Functional Capacity IMEs – Another Trap
Functional Capacity Evaluations are a “type” of Independent Medical Examination that measures your physical ability to stoop, stand, walk, bend, reach, lifting, finger movements etc. The result is written within the functional capacity definitions of...
Independent Medical Evaluations
Insurance companies are once again utilizing the IME provisions in disability policies, therefore, I thought perhaps a reminder of a few important facts would be a good idea. Have you ever heard the expression, “Those who can’t DO, TEACH?” This is...
Financial Reserve Is Key
Most people would tend to think that the medical merits of any disability claim depends on the seriousness, or nature of the impairment. But, disability insurers are NOT Social Security, for example, that sets presumptive as a standard for approval timing. In fact,...
