Request Legal Help Now - Free

Advertisement
LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

In Spite of Recent Accolades, Unum Continues to Be Criticized

. By
Chattanooga, TNAnyone who thinks of the insurance industry, and Unum in particular, as having a Jekyll and Hyde personality can be forgiven in light of recent events and allegations both supporting and decrying the company. In recent years Unum Insurance has been battling a reputation of unfairness to its policyholders by way of alleged inappropriateness of denials to legitimate claims.

But all that will be far from anyone's thoughts on November 10th when the Southeastern Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals recognizes Unum Insurance, among others, at a public luncheon being held at the insurer's home base in Chattanooga.

Specifically, the insurance juggernaut will be one of two recipients of the Associations' "Corporate Philanthropists of the Year" award. According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Unum is being recognized for donating millions of dollars and volunteer hours to schools, food banks, education, the arts, as well as health and wellness projects.

In recent months the insurer has been feted as being a valued employer by its employees and has captured numerous industry awards.

And yet, former Unum Provident employee Linda Nee continues to hammer the insurer in her blog. On Monday, Nee took the insurer to task for its practice of hiring board-certified physicians to guide Unum in the analysis of claims.

To be fair, Nee pointed out that while other well-known insurers use less-expensive, "outsourced" medical opinions, Unum "spends an incredible amount of money purchasing 'Board Certified' physician credentials in order to lend credibility to the documented opinions they write" with regard to Unum disability, Nee says.

However, are the opinions of physicians on the Unum payroll biased? Nee, who was employed at Unum until 2002, feels that practices she witnessed at the time are likely still a factor.

"Back in 2002 while still an employee of Unum, it was clear 'walk-in' physicians and nurses received a great deal of pressure from the Medical Director to document claims supporting denials rather than approvals" with regard to claims for Unum long-term disability insurance, Nee writes. "One newly hired Cardiologist started by documenting claims fairly, only to be placed on probation until his 'stats' improved. He quickly got the idea though that in order to keep his job he had to subscribe to Unum's strategies to deny legitimate claims."

Nee also notes that "at least up until 2002," physicians directly employed by First Unum participated in an entity called the Management Incentive Compensation Program (MICP), "which provided its physicians and exempt management staff the opportunity of receiving up to 30 percent of their annual salary in incentives if they supported the company's claims strategies resulting in increased profits."

It is unclear if the MICP program still exists today, Nee says. However, in Nee's view "Unum's physicians are handsomely paid between $100,000 to $200,000 plus incentive to sit in an office, review files and author reports in favor of Unum's claims protocols" regarding Unum disability insurance

READ ABOUT UNUM LAWSUITS

Unum Legal Help

If you have suffered losses in this case, please send your complaint to a lawyer who will review your possible [Unum Lawsuit] at no cost or obligation.

READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
Suggest you check out a couple of websites in UK:
ww.whywaitforever.com/dwpatos.html and
ww.whywaitforever.com/dwpatosveterans.html.
UNUM were the 'consultants' used by British government when Atos Origin were used to set up Atos Healthcare to "asses" British disabled, including disabled veterans.

The only criteria for these huge businesses - it's no surprise that Atos Origin were awarded the £multi-million IT contract for the 2012 Olympic Games - is their company profits and resisting genuine help to chronically sick and disabled people is the way they get it.

DWP give responsibility for deciding disability levels to unqualified basic grade civil servants with the exalted title of 'Decision Makers.'

Posted by

on
reading about this company, it sounds like the company ATOS over here in the UK.

they do medicals for the Department of Work and Pentions to assess people's illnesess.

ATOS doctors have a habit of not reporting your medical conditions so the DWP can say you are fit to work.

we don't have Lawers here in the UK that will take cases on against ATOS. pity your Lawers can't work over here. they would be over worked with claims against ATOS and the DWP.

ADD YOUR COMMENT ON THIS STORY

Please read our comment guidelines before posting.


Note: Your name will be published with your comment.


Your email will only be used if a response is needed.

Are you the defendant or a subject matter expert on this topic with an opposing viewpoint? We'd love to hear your comments here as well, or if you'd like to contact us for an interview please submit your details here.


Click to learn more about LawyersandSettlements.com

Request Legal Help Now! - Free