Employer Healthcare Deficits Lead to Disability Insurance Problems
By John Curran
In spite of the fact that the majority of employers will face penalties in 2014 for not providing health insurance options for their workers, many are still leaving little in the way of benefits today. As efforts in Kansas indicate, this is causing problems for those who also provide UnumProvident disability insurance benefits.
For many workers, trying to stay on the job through illness or injury is preferable to trying to get medical help because they may have to pay large sums out of their own pockets. Continuing to work when one is at a diminished capacity can lead workers to become unable to stay in the workforce. That increases the work for disability insurance claim denial specialists, but also leads to problems for these employers.
The increased likelihood of long periods away from work for rehabilitation is why the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is trying to get doctors to keep workers away from their jobs until they are fully healed or are well enough to truly benefit their employer. The agency says that future health problems from those who apply for UnumProvident disability insurance benefits outweigh the initial costs to employers.
That may not be something that company officials want to hear, but even on occasion when disability insurance claim denial specialists do succeed, it is not a certainty. Instead, when employers promote a culture of people doing work at a diminished capacity, they are likely to see savings from minimal health insurance programs evaporate in the form of higher disability insurance premiums.
Perhaps more importantly, as the economy gets better because of the highest productivity rates in years, pushing workers to try even harder will lead to many seeking employment elsewhere. Losing an experienced engineer or cashier for a few days is likely less damaging than having them work for another company.
In addition, limiting the need for workers to consult with disability insurance lawsuit lawyers, as Kansas officials want, provides economic benefits to both the company and the public at large.
Unfortunately, many companies have focused on the short term rather than the bigger picture, which could lead to employees facing problems trying to get their benefits. If they feel that they have been denied without good cause, they should visit the Unum/UnumProvident Disability Insurance Claim Denial Class Action Lawsuit Investigation to get a free consultation with experienced disability insurance lawsuit lawyers.
Updated April 11th, 2013
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