Fraud Leads to More Disability Insurance Claim Denials

By John Curran

A recent NPR report indicates that the growth of Social Security Disability Insurance claims continues to mount, and in one case may be linked to fraud. There are some mitigating factors, but people who have dealt with claim denial specialists from private insurers should note that there are also differences between the two types of insurance.

They do share at least one similarity, however. Harold Pollack of the University of Chicago told the Washington Post that more often than not, employees at the Social Security Administration work to prevent disability claim fraud. He does not mention it, but even in the case of those who have claims with merit, it means that they have to go through the lengthy appeals process. That is also the case for people who have policies from providers like Unum disability insurance.

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Unum Liable for Denying Legitimate Disability Claims

By Anne Bucher

Disability policies help to minimize the financial impact a person suffers when they are no longer physically able to perform work. More than 50 million Americans rely on disability insurance to help them in case they become injured or too sick to work. Nearly 40 percent of these disability insurance policies are handled by Unum, formerly known as UnumProvident.

Unum Accused of Denying Legitimate Disability Claims

Unum is the largest disability insurance company in the United States and provides disability insurance to nearly 17 million Americans. Several Unum employees have come forward over the last decade to report dishonest business practices. Many employees allege that the management rewarded employees who denied significant claims, even if the claims were legitimate. This practice was initially uncovered in a 2002 segment of 60 Minutes, a television program on the CBS television network.

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Appealing a Disability Insurance Denial

By John Curran

Many advocates that help people who have been denied benefits from disability insurance companies like Unum note that in a large number of cases, the firm will issue a denial simply as a matter of course. However, there are several things a person can do to appeal the denial and get the benefits they deserve.

The first step is to work with an advocate or disability insurance attorney to obtain doctors' records and, in some cases, the opinion of an outside medical expert. If benefits are denied a second time, the plaintiff can take the company to court for an administrative hearing. Unlike in most civil claims, these are not heard before a jury, which is why legal expertise can be beneficial.

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Unum Disability Insurance Gap Hits Snag with Florida Ruling

By John Curran

One of the underreported problems with claim denial specialists for disability benefits is a gap in coverage for workers. That was especially true in Florida until a decision was handed down that could affect Unum disability insurance policy holders.

District Court Judge Bradford Thomas knocked down a bill limiting workers' compensation benefits to 104 weeks, or two years. Companies providing these policies to employers had been able to drop rates by half, which made it less likely that they would pressure their claim denial specialists. Now, Thomas' decision requires benefits to continue for up to five years in total, and disability insurance providers need to watch out as well.

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Heisman Winner Johnny Manziel Gets Disability Insurance

By John Curran

Disability insurance may not make sense for everyone, but some athletes are jumping on board because their income relies principally on physical performance. While most beneficiaries were members of professional leagues like the NFL, the potential for lost wages has made its way into the college ranks thanks to Heisman Trophy winner and Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

College football fans know him for his scrambling and ability to make plays when they seem impossible. His parents know him for having professional potential, and they have obtained a disability insurance policy for him if an injury during his college playing days limits his ability to play in the NFL. He is not the first player to do so, but he is certainly the most high-profile example.

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Unum Reverses Benefit Denial for Woman with Anal Cancer

By Andrea Gressman

Unum has been at it again – denying yet another legitimate disability benefit claim. This time Unum’s benefit denial was for a woman who cannot control her own bowel movements, which the company evidently felt should be something she could work through. However, after consulting a Unum fraud attorney, this shameful denial was reversed.

Details of this Unum Benefit Denial and Appeal

The woman at issue in this benefit denial was suffering from a severe condition called Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal, which caused her to be unable to control her bowel movements. Prior to the Unum policyholder retaining an attorney, Unum evidently did not feel that her symptoms of frequent and chronic bowel movements, anxiety, rectal pain, and depression were enough to warrant approval of her disability claim.

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