Ready For 2024?
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...
How Disabled Do I Need To Be To File A Claim?
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...
Holiday Surveillance
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...
“The Application Process” White Paper
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...
Health Insurance Takes Second
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,...
The Hierarchy Of Review
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...
DCS Rocks in 2023!
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...
Try A New Normal Of Thinking About Insurers
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...
Friday This N’ That
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...
Watch What You Say To Insurance Reps
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...
Questionnaires, Letters And Other Writings
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,...
What Does It Mean? “Material and Substantial”
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...
It’s Time For Tax Return Requests
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...
Caution With Medicare Advantage Plans
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...
End Of The Year Reviews
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...
Long-Term Care
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....
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...