Unum Disability Insurance Reviews, Complaints & Denied Claims
View Disability Cases With Unum Disability Insurance Reviews, Complaints & Denied Claims
Our disability attorneys have represented hundreds of disabled claimants with their Unum disability claim and/or denial of disability insurance benefits.
Despite Unum’s checkered past and damaged reputation our law firm has obtained disability payments for more than 99% of our Unum clients.
Unum, formerly known as Paul Revere, Provident, and then Unum Provident is the world’s largest disability insurance company with approximately 10,000 employees.
How Much Do You Know About Unum? We Have A Lot To Share With You.
In order to effectively represent our clients, it is essential that our lawyers know everything about Unum. We also think it is important that our clients and potential clients know as much as possible about Unum.
To learn about the way Unum handles disability claims we encourage you to review the following free information about Unum on our website:
- Watch our Unum disability videos, which includes deposition testimony from Unum employees during one of our Unum lawsuits;
- Read public comments from Unum claimants that have either posted complaints, questions or shared their experience of dealing with Unum;
- Read about some of the Unum disability cases our firm has resolved;
- Read summaries about Unum disability lawsuits and court decisions around the country;
- In 2004, Unum entered in an agreement with 48 states regarding their wrongful claims handling of long-term disability claims. Click here to read the Unum Multistate Regulatory Settlement Agreement;
- In 2005, Unum entered into an agreement with the California Department of Insurance regarding their wrongful handling of long-term disability insurance claims. Click here to review the Unum California Settlement Agreement.
We Have Extensive Experience With Unum Disability Claims And Denials
Our extensive history of filing numerous lawsuits against Unum has given us the opportunity to have a great understanding of their internal operations and claims handling tactics.
We are available to help you with your Unum short term and long term disability claim at either the application stage, continuance of claim, ERISA appeal, lawsuit, or a lump-sum buyout.
It is our job to make sure that Unum pays you the disability benefits you are entitled to receive.
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We respond the same day. We represent disability insurance claimants all over the United States.
- Unum issues disability insurance benefits to currency trader suffering from depression and chronic fatigue
Our client, a financial currency trader, purchased a long term disability policy from Unum more than 10 years before she was forced to file a claim. Our client was a successful currency trader with a... - $4.3 million in disability benefits for general surgeon following UNUM jury verdict
Our client, a general surgeon with chronic back pain, will finally receive the long-term disability benefits that he has been denied since October 2004. The United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois... - A general surgeon and his legal team at Dell & Schaefer win disability insurance jury trial against Unum
In a federal court in Peoria, Illinois, a jury ruled against Unum Company (NYSE: UNM) and awarded more than $300,000 in disability insurance benefits the insurer withheld from a general surgeon it had claimed was... - Disability insurance Attorneys Dell & Schaefer resolve lawsuit against Unum on behalf of ophthalmologist suffering from bi-lateral carpal tunnel syndrome
Our client, an ophthalmological surgeon, was diagnosed with bi-lateral carpal tunnel syndrome following a traumatic accident. The client attempted to continue working for a few months following her injury in hopes that her hand numbness... - Unum approves long-term disability benefits for a general surgeon diagnosed with cervical degenerative disc disease
Our client, a general surgeon for 25 years, was forced to stop performing surgery due to chronic degenerative cervical disc disease. Fortunately, our client had purchased a long-term disability policy from Paul Revere Insurance Company... - Attorneys Dell And Schaefer obtain lump sum buy-out of an Unum long term disability insurance policy for a drywall contractor
Our client, a General Contractor who owned his own dry wall installation business, had a long term disability insurance policy he had purchased from Unum in 1988. Like so many professionals, our client never imagined,... - Dentist wins appeal and UNUM Provident pays disability benefits
Dell & Schaefer was able to successfully procure a settlement for a dentist whose disability benefits from UNUM Provident were terminated after 7 months of treatment and chemotherapy for pancreatic carcinoma. UNUM Provident based its... - Hartford and Unum approve long-term disability benefits for disabled radiologist
Our client, a radiologist and partner of a successful Florida medical group began experiencing significant burning tongue and mouth pain following a dental procedure. Complicating matters further, he also suffered from severe back pain from... - Real estate agent recieves lump sum settlement from Unum Provident after appeal is filed
After UNUM Provident denied a real estate agent’s third claim for income policy replacement benefits, she hired Dell & Schaefer to help her secure the benefits to which she was entitled under the terms of... - Unum approves dentist for residual/partial long-term disability benefits
Our client, a 48 year old dentist, began to experience difficulty performing the substantial and material duties of his occupation as a result of anxiety and neck pain. Our client contacted our firm in order...
Some Unum Disability Cases Resolved By Our Firm:
- Unum Sued By An Ophthalmologist And A BJC Healthcare Employee Who Both Were Denied Disability Benefits
Unum Life Insurance Company Of America (Unum) was sued in two different lawsuits filed in the Federal Courts of Missouri, by two plaintiffs who did not receive the long-term benefits that were entitled to them... - Misrepresentation By Claimant Results in Unum Disability Claim Denial
Unum disability claimants need to be aware that when filling out an application for disability insurance benefits it is necessary to disclose your medical history accurately and to make sure your insurance agent is doing... - Bon Secours Employee Wins Lawsuit Against Unum who had Denied Him Disability Benefits
A former Engineer Director for Bon Secours, with the help of his Pennsylvania Disability Attorney, were forced to file a federal ERISA lawsuit after Unum repeatedly denied his claim for Long Term Disability Benefits under... - Unum Tries To Hide Fact That Its “Independent” Medical Advisors Are Actually Employees Of Unum
This case sheds light on some of the questionable practices that some disability companies engage in when reviewing a disability claim. Often, disability policies limit what a claimant can introduce to a judge to support... - Unum CEO Testifies At US Senate Hearing About Disability Insurance
On March 22, 2012, UNUM insurance company’s CEO Tom Watjen spoke at a United States Senate Committee hearing about the value of disability insurance coverage for individuals and the need for the private disability insurers... - Duke University Doctor sues UNUM Life Insurance Company for long term disability benefits
Dr. Karen M. and her North Carolina disability attorney filed a lawsuit against UNUM in the United Stated District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina to acquire her long term disability benefits. The... - Electrical assembly worker for Northrop Grumman files a complaint against UNUM for denial of long term disability benefits
Fifty-nine-year old, former Northrop Grumman Corporation employee Rita L. and her Utah disability lawyer filed suit against UNUM Life Insurance Company and her employer in Federal Court in Utah. Claiming that the UNUM Plan Administrator... - New Jersey claimant files suit against New York Life, Unum and Paul Revere for miscalculated disability benefits
William M. never suspected that should he need to make use of his disability insurance policy (which he had faithfully paid premiums on for years) that the promised disability benefits would be denied him when... - Disabled attorney forced to sue UNUM for her disability benefits
A 53-year-old disabled attorney and her New York disability attorney filed a Federal lawsuit against the insurer UNUM on July 15, 2011 for collection of her disability benefits. A Toxic Tort Trial and Litigation Attorney... - Five disability lawsuits recently filed against UNUM in Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri, and Michigan
Five ERISA disability lawsuits have been recently filed against the UNUM Life Insurance Company of America for the wrongful denial of disability benefits. In each of the cases, a disability attorney from Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri...
Unum Disability Lawsuits & Court Decisions:
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Free Disability Information
I have long term disability with Unum Insurance and they sent me a letter saying they are reviewing my disability. I was in an automobile accident and broke my neck and had to have surgery. They put two rods and a plate in my neck that are about 10 inches long down my spine. I have severe nerve damage and backk pain tht causes a lot of pain and I am on a neurontin daily for it. What do you think my chances are of keeping the long term disability with them. I really can not work and need the money to live on.
Mary, please contact our office and we will provide you with a free initial phone consultation to discuss how we may be able to assist you.
It appears that UNUM is trying to intimidate me or strong ARM me. They closed my case because I didn’t give them the information they requested. My reason being I felt they were dirty because after having my stroke. I let a representative come to the house to check me out. I gave him the stroke information. A copy of my award letter from SSDI resulting them reducing my income from 1500 to 151 aproximately. I signed a paper for them to keep the 151 dollars. They want me to pay them back for $4994.01 by 4/18/11. Giving me two options to pay. Neither of them making it easy knowing I receive $1476 a month. No medical insurance until 2012 so I have to pay out of the pocket for medicines and doctors visits. I haven’t contacted them because I know it’s going to make my blood pressure go up and I don’t want to die like that. If I knew at the beginning that I had to pay back any money. I signed a paper in 9/09. It didn’t click because I felt despair to receive income to pay some bills. Later after speaking with other people then realizing that if they give me money for two years and I have to pay that back. It would be probably be $20,000 or more. That’s why that lady didn’t want me to apply for SSDI. I did it anyway. I don’t understand the game they play in the insurance industry. I take the blame for my ignorance for signing with them. I need help fighting the big bad wolf. I’m waiting for them to sue me.
Debra, most ERISA governed policies have an offset for an award of SSDI payments. Most claimants do not realize that they may be required to pay back the SSDI benefits to the disability company if they are awarded SSDI. There are some cases around the country that suggest that a disability insurance company can not recover an overpyament from an insured. Take a look at Unum has no right to recover $207,894.88 overpayment of long term disability benefits to attorney.
I have been receiving compensation as per a paid policy through a former employer for about nine years now. I am constantly required to verify my handicap still exists and I think its insane. Its a hardship mentally especially to hear the doctor say not only won’t I be eligible to work again but that I will suffer pain for the rest of my life due to an traumatic crush injury sustained in a car accident in late 2001.
I applied for SSD and was at first denied but after several appeals was given a partially favorable award in 2008. I appealed this denial and was dissapproved by final order of the Commissioner of SSA. I have recently been sent a new evaluation form from Unum that basically is asking them permission to check on the status of Social Security cases pending or else they will reduce my amount by a conservative estimate.
At first Unum erroneously deducted an absurd amount from the award which included benefits for my child. I had to call it to their attention and received an answer some time afterwards.
My issue is the contract for services is if I am injured, I receive a portion of my earnings, I am not asking for anything outside of this contract.
Who signs for the Social Security reduction, my employer or myself? I wasn’t made aware there was one or what it meant. Can they produce a copy of the contract where it proves I did sign for it?
Brooklyn Mama, a social security offset can only be deducted if your disability plan contains language allowing for it.
After being forced into an early retirement for an injury obtained on the job, I was placed on long term disability with Unum by my employer and forced to resign. I was fortunate that I had a supplemental pension that paid a portion of my salary that supplemented my “benefit” paid by Unum, thereby giving me a salary that allowed me to not lose my home and continue to pay my bills. I also was able to find work that basically allowed me to provide for my family at the same level we have been living at for the last twenty years.
One day two years after “retiring”, I received a phone call asking me to verify that I was indeed receiving a benefit from my supplemental work pension. This information had been provided to Unum on at least three previous contacts and letters from my pension provider. Unum had been given written documentation stating the amounts, dates and conditions. Unum has now contacted me and after reviewing my case has determined that I have been overpaid to the tune of over $50,000.
This decision is due to the fact my pension is now a deductabile source of income and in their words, “they dropped the ball”… “this was an oversight on their part” and they now need to fix the situation.
Do I have a leg to stand and say your fault, your problem, or do I plunge myself deeper into debt and ruin my familiy’s life further?
Stuck in a tough place: the answer to your question depends on the terms of your disability policy. I have seen many group disability insurance policies which consider pension benefits to be a deductible source of income.
I have short term disability through Unum. I have filled out the forms they requested and so has my surgeon. They are denying my claim saying that their Dr’s and nurses decided I could have returned to work in half the time that my Dr. had me out of work for. I have called and spoken to several people there, they do not rreturn phone calls, they made me provide them with ALL of my medical records for the procedure and before, and they are still denying my claim. I am frustrated and sickened every time I have to deal with this. Is there anything that I can do?
Laurel, Unum should have sent a short term disability denial letter explaining the reason for denying your disability claim. The letter should also explain your right to file an appeal. You must comply with the appeal timeline provided in the Unum denial letter. You should also send a written request for the claim file from Unum. If you would like for us to review our denial, please fax 888-776-3876 or email us your denial letter and policy. We will contact you upon receipt to discuss your options.
UNIUM/UNUM are bold face liars and cheats. They stall on purpose so they do not have to part with their money. Their money comes from hard working men and women who believed their con message. Where can we read about the whistle blower case? How many doctors are suing them? How come the federal government knows about their tactics and does nothing to protect the people who have been hurt by them. How come a “nurse” at UNIUM/UNUM decides my case? I am now losing my car and my apartment due to their stalling and lies. Destroy UNUM now!!!
I have an UNUM LTD policy. I am totally disabled based on many reasons. I am able to work about 30 hours per MONTH as a self-employed attorney out of my house. Strictly transactional work. UNUM recently tried to reduce my benefits based on their misunderstanding of my prior year taxes. They did so w/o notice except an after the fact letter. I challenged their decision with my CPA and UNUM agreed it was wrong. Today I received a telephone call from them saying they have reduced my monthly benefits because I earned to much during the last six months and I owe them about $4.5K. Thet will taked 1/6th out of my next six checks. Again, this was done without prior notice except a phone call today telling me they did it and it was coming out of the check being issued tomorrow. I had no other notice or opportunity to challenge their decision except via an after the fact appeal. Is this a normal practice that I have to accept? Also in calculating my net income per month they added back all the life and health insurance payments I deducted as business expenses. Is this normally allowed? Thanks.
Bowser, unfortunately it is normal practice for Unum to send a letter either reducing or denying benefits without any notice. As you mentioned, you do have the right to challenge their decision. You are entitled to receive Unum’s position in writing. Your question about life and health insurance benefits depends on how you reported your income and how your disability policy calculates income. Please contact us privately if you would like assistance in dealing with Unum.
Since I am currently receiving STD payments from UNUM I, like others, am in constant fear that my coverage is going to end. So… a question that I have is: “If UNUM chooses to discontinue benefits, how much notice is given to the insured?”.
Additionally, how can I request an examination by one of their physicians, as well as request a copy of all of my medical records, surveillance reports, etc.?
Peter,
Unfortunately, Unum is not required to provided any advance notice of a denial of benefits. Generally a letter will be sent stating that no more checks will be sent and you can appeal the disability benefit denial. If your claim is denied you can request a complete copy of your entire file.
I just received a letter statingntheir decision to deny my claim was final. I had a medial sternomoty (cut sternum completely to remove a mass in my chest then wire back together) in June and UNUM says I should be back. A work after only 3week post op, my doctor says I need to be out at least 8 weeks. Why do companies use this company? I have been with them for more than 10years and this is how you are treated. So I am on pain meds 3 times a day and they want me back at work, not sure they want the liability.
Hi Gregory,
In January 2011, during open enrollment, I signed up for Unum’s Long Term Disability Insurance. When I took out the policy I was very up front about my (25 year) pre-existing condition, explaining that I may not be able to work until retirement age due to a back issue (I’m 52). I even went so far as to call Unum and confess my condition. I explained that this would be the primary reason for taking out the policy. Everyone assured me that my condition would be covered. Unfortunately, I have no proof of this conversation.
Recently, a neighbor who is a retired insurance broker told me that it is not likely that they would cover a pre-existing condition. Can you explain how the 3 months prior/12 months after “Pre-existing Condition Exclusion” works? Might my pre-existing condition NOT be covered?
Scott,
The language of a pre-existing condition provision can be written differently in each disability policy. I can not answer your question about the Unum Pre-existing condition provision unless I reviewed your exact policy language.
UNUM has paid me 60% of my income for the past 5 years. I worked 1 day/week (prior to glioblastoma brain tumor I was full time). My job was eliminated and after 6 months of no employement, almost insisted that I apply to social security. I did but was denied. They insisted that now i needed to go back after SS and gave me Genex as a representative on that. I was then APPROVED of SS and I understood that from Oct. 2009 through present that money would go back to UNUM. I agreed on that. Shortly after approval of SS, the local SS person called to talk about my children and their potential benefits. 3 of my children were approved. NOW UNUM says that I have to give them my CHILDRENS’ money. This was never mentioned to me and for that matter before SS sent me letters I didn’t even know my kids could be eligible.
Terri,
Unfortunately, in most UNUM disability policies there is language that allows them to offset your disability benefits for any social security disability benefits that are received by either you or your children as a result of your disability.
My employers asked me to take medical leave due to fibromayalgia. I was in pain, had brain fog and had trouble working full days. I am a Sr. Vice President with a financial company. Being able to think and be in charge are primary parts of my job. I was able to find a doctor that treated me for food allergies and I am back to work as functional member of our company. UNUM has denied my claim. Stating that I was not disabled. I was unable to do the primary duties of my job. This company is a scam.
I have been receiving disability payments from UNUM since 2006. First my short term disability then I went on to long term disability in 2007. I also receive S.S.D. and have been since 2008. I just received a phone call from UNUM stating that my claim was being closed due to the fact that they determined that I could do sedentary work. My physical condition has not gotten better, It has gotten worse since my claim was approved. I suffer from extreme depression, PTSD, cronic pancreatitis (with stent implant), malabsorption (with major weight, strength, and energy loss), seizure disorder, diabetis, cronic diarrhea (with leakage). I take large amounts of pain medication daily because of the pancreas. My condition is not ever going to improve. How can they just close my claim without any kind of medical exam, or update from my doctor? What do you suggest I do? They said I could appeal their decision.
Patricia,
We are sorry to hear about your UNUM disability benefit denial. Your only option right now is to file an appeal within the 180 days they provided. Please contact us at 800-828-7583 so we can review your denial letter and determine if you have a claim that we can assist you with. We will provide you with a free evaluation of your claim and discuss your options.
I’m a 25 year old single father of a 3 year old. 5 months ago I went into heart failure and had to have 2 surgeries to save my life. One through my leg, the other was openheart… After 4 months my son accidently headbutted me and my 8 inch scare down my sternum got inflamed and I was hurting allot again. My surgeon said I should take an extra 5 weeks off (which still landed me under the 6 months of short-term). Unum now has refused to pay the $495 x 5 weeks they now owe me and said there is no medical evidence I should be payed any of it. I have blown all my savings on bills and trying to stay up to date on bills. I owe rent, bills, car payment and just went on default on my 401k loan (now I own 3k in taxes in a couple months) since they wouldn’t give me any money… Costco’s corporate team and my surgeon said its absolute “bs” and I should sue. My surgeon also said he has given them everything they asked for and more and his word as one for the most outstanding heart surgeons on the NW should of been sufficient.
I was denied a claim by Unum after being told by my doctor that I had to be in assisted living home for six months after almost dying from Pancreatitis. All the paperwork was signed off properly by my Primary Care Physician and the records still exist in the office of the assisted living home which shows denial by Unum.
After reading the horror stories that others, like myself, have experienced I can only believe that this company is a complete Fraud. I am now going to contact my Senator (he lives only 8 miles from me) to have Congressional investigation of this company. The Wall Street Journal published a list of companies that would not pay their claims and Unum was second after Allstate.
I have been on Unum’s long term disability since Sept. 2009. Despite the ridiculous attempts they make to find reasons to deny a person, I have been getting my benefits. In Sept. of 2011 I was awarded a fully favorable award from SSDI – and I was aware that it would be an offset and that I would have to pay back my lump sum. With that said, my ex-wife got the benefits awarded to my children as they do not live with me. Unum is now demanding I pay them a retro payment that includes the money that went to my ex-wife! How can they hold me responsible for money I did not receive? They also want to reduce my monthly benefit by the amount my ex receives for the children! How can I be held responsible for money I don’t get?
Hi. Thank you for your time.
UNUM closed my long-term disability claim, without cause about a year ago. I fought them with an appeal’s letter, and won, sort-of. They took nine months to make a decision whether to reinstate my claim, upon which, I lost my home and my credit was ruined by then.
Here’s the catch: my claim was reinstated, for a mental condition (because I have been on anti-depressants for years – way before I even worked and became disabled). I am physically disabled. I was in a car accident and had to have surgery on my cervical spine, causing nerve damage, and life-time chronic pain.
Well, UNUM is trying to pay out only 24 months of benefits because they are saying it is a mental disability, in which, their policy only has to pay out for that amount of time. It is seriously a bunch of nonsense! I am not a stupid person. I was never released to go back to work in the first place. They, without cause just terminated my claim, causing me to lose my home, and extreme financial hardship – all of this while going through a divorce and major surgery.
Can I hold them accountable for their actions that caused me to lose my home, as well as all of my emotional turmoil, grief and frustration? My LTD is supposed to end May 2012 if they are allowed to get away with their dishonest, and absurd claim decision?
Bottom line: I did not become disabled mentally. I was on the anti-depressants before my accident. I am disabled physically first and foremost, with the physical pain adding to my depression disorder.
Please help me fight them on this. Thank you so much.
Rock,
Even though you don’t get the SSDI money, Unum can still deduct it if the money is going to your wife and children as a result of your disability. It is not fair, but it is legal if your Unum disability policy provides for it.
Lisa,
We have handled numerous cases against UNUM dealing with the 2 year mental nervous limitation. If you have a physical disability that prevents you from working, then you may be able to extend benefits beyond two years. In order for us to determine if we can assist you, we need for you to call us in order to arrange a free phone consultation. We will need to review your denial letter and your disability policy.
To whom it may concern:
How is it possible that a large corporation can take the children’s money from SS payments, if the income was not generated while one was under coverage with Unum?
Said is these funs are from SS to help the children and when the insurance company pays disability they get paid from the income one generates, not the whole family, unless they consider all income and pay out the percentage on the complete amount.
Then Social Security claims the insurance company has no right to have access to the children’s funds for survival!
These large companies need to stay out of the children’s accounts with Social Security. They should be ashamed from taking the little these children have for the future.
Greed is an ugly beast an the best thing is to be united. What of the children, is this legal – and there must be a loophole or some way to stop this madness!
The truth is, I have no problem covering my cost but my child Social Security provides this for the children and not for Unum. Also I don’t recall the insurance paying a check for my son’s name and this was 60% of my income, not my family household income.
What’s next – they will just say thanks for the premiums an run with the cash?
If this company is sued and it’s paying fines or settlements, there is no reason to make the disable policy holders and the family pay!
What is this country coming to?
Bernie,
I don’t agree with Unum’s actions of deducting social security payments from your monthly disability benefit, but it is a common practice by all major disability insurance companies. With regard to children SSDI benefits, Unum can only offset those benefits if they are benefits that are being paid as a result of your disability. If your children have their own disabilities, then Unum would not be allowed to deduct the children’s benefits.
Like Bernie, I think this is crazy. In my case, my children do not even live in my home, they live with my ex-wife! The policy says they may take from your spouse or children, but does not specify living outside the home! I think this is a legal grey area that could be challenged in court! The government also has a responsibility to put an end to this practice! Money I do not receive into my home I should not be responsible to repay! How am I supposed to pay the lump sum that went to my ex-wife? The federal government put it in her account, there is no way I could have kept her from spending it! I have had my congressman’s office talking to Unum on my behalf, but honestly how could any judge or jury not agree with my perspective! I mean following Unum’s logic why not hold me responsible for President Obama’s salary as well, after all I never recieved that either!
Rock,
I agree with your position, but the deciding factor is the policy language. Take a look at the Frequently Asked Question on our website discussing this exact issue: Can a disability insurance company claim an overpayment for social security disability benefits payable to a child as result of the parent’s disability?
In addition to all the others whose claims were fraudulently turned down by Unum, my name could be added. My course of action is to go to my congressman with all these complaints to let them do something about it. The only problem with this is that this current administration is as corrupt as Unum.
I have worked my entire life and in May of 2011 I became ill with seizures, which my doctor can’t determine why and has had me off work since, because they come several times a week and leave me very confused and sore. And my Unum case worker (whom has no heart) said to me people that have seizures work everyday, so what makes you any different? I said because they can’t figure out what’s wrong and the fact that I am having so many of them, my employer feels it’s better that I not work with them until these are under control. She advised me to find another job then… so I asked to speak with her boss, whom I advised of the way she was talking to me and that I was depressed enough without her rude mouth. I advised I had lost my truck and my home since all this. His advice was for me to contact the churches and help offices in my area or to go to ER if i felt like life wasn’t worth living anymore. Can they just talk to you anyway and make you feel useless?
Lost and Confused,
Unum has a responsibility to pay you the benefits that you are contractually entitled to. The claims examiner should be professional and treat you with respect. Most Unum claims examiners act professionally. You should speak to a Unum supervisor if you are receiving poor treatment.
My son was diagnosed with extra, irregular heartbeats, which are very disruptive to your sleep, frightening, actually, and had a sleep study done to evaluate this condition. Because he could sleep only 3 1/2 hours, due to the disruptive activities occurring, his number attained was 4.6 out of 5. He was denied any paid leave, not even just for a six month leave from his pharmacy technician job. There was one woman in Columbia, SC whose home we found, thinking it was an address for the corporate office in Columbia, but it was a neighborhood a bit strange for such a corporation. She is the one who mails out the Denied Claim letters. She was nice enough to tell us that Colonial Life owns the company, which we didn’t know. We are having to file an appeal due to Unum/Colonial Life’s tricky, devious ways of just dissing you completely. There is a corporate office there, so we will be booking an appointment for the next trip to Columbia. My son’s claim is actually a moderate gross income monthly of $1390 for 30 hours as Pharmacy Tech.. This should be approved and the company would not be in danger over a brief 6 month period. A Health Advocate somehow got onto my phone number, was listening when I was trying to reason with Unum. This is really sad and we will fill the appeal and also contact our Reps and Senators, President Obama and others. We’re praying hard for some real help from Unum very soon.
I was paid from Unum Ltd., I won my disability claim with SSDI and now Unum is saying I have to pay them back. Even my SSDI I received for my kids? I get way less now and I have not received my backpay from SSDI for reasons unknown but do I have to pay this back? What happens if I don’t? I thought this was a policy I paid for and not had to pay back. I live in PA if that helps on rules…
I was insured by Coca Cola Refreshments through Unum, prior to a job related back injury and was denied on February 3, 2012 after my employer insisted that I can not return to my normal occupation due to permanent restrictions!
After the doctor informed them that my restrictions have to be honored, Unum took the term (medium work range) as indicated somewhere on my F.C.E. And stated that my job title fell under medium restrictions! That was their way to deny me compensation for my permanent restrictions that prevent me from returning to work even according to my employer and the doctor with the requirements for the job!
So I agree that Unum has repeatedly abused their obligation to accomodate both injured and sickly claimants to save their company’s money after you have solely invested faith and finances in Unum as your insurer! It’s not over unless you give up!
Helpless,
For the accurate answer to your question, you need to read your disability policy. Please also see the following FAQs on our website, which should answer your questions: Can a long-term disability insurance company claim an overpayment once a claimant is approved for social security disability income benefits? and Can a disability insurance company claim an overpayment for social security disability benefits payable to a child as result of the parent’s disability?
Coca-Cola Driver,
If you claim has been denied by UNUM, then you should appeal in a timely manner and keep fighting. Do not let UNUM play games with you by taking
advantage of one line in a random report.
I am a Resident Physician who was injured in an auto accident in 2005. UNUM has been paying me a monthly benefit since then, and is supposed to do that for life. They have asked for medical records, first twice a year, then once a year. They also had a private investigator tail me and he asked to visit my home. I refused! They just received medical records from me in October and then called yesterday asking if anything had changed? After telling them how frustrated I was that they continue trying to see if a paralyzed hand will reverse itself, they asked whether I had considered a settlement offer. I said that I did not mind but was concerned about the fact that they stuck me with the taxes when they paid my medical student loans. What can I do about the taxes I was stuck with after they sent a check of $150k to my student loan company? Should I accept a lump sum pay off on a life time policy? How do I determine whether I have been offered a fair amount?
Young Doc,
Unum will continue to monitor you for the rest of your life, especially if you have a lifetime disability benefit policy. There are numerous factors that must be considered when determining whether to accept a lump-sum buyout. Please take a look at our video on lump sum buyouts. If you call us, we will provide you with a free consultation to discuss if a buyout might be right for you. We have negotiated hundreds of Unum Lump Sum buyouts. As attorneys we cannot answer questions about taxes. We highly recommend that you speak with an accountant about any tax questions. You may find one of our frequently asked questions about the tax implications of disability benefits helpful. I can tell you that if your monthly benefit has been taxable, then your lump sum buyout would be taxable.
I have an UNUM policy that is provided by through my employer. My doctor recently took me out of work due to complications with gestational diabetes. I filed a STD claim with UNUM and received a denial letter. The reason for the denial is history of gestational diabetes. I’m confused as what exactly that means, is it the same as a pre-existing condition?
Gestational diabetes is having diabetes only when pregnant and just because you have it with a previous pregnancy doesn’t mean you will have it with subsequent pregnancies. Either way I was never pregnant or had gestational diabetes prior to receiving my UNUM policy.
I’ve been with my company for over 9 years. In 2007 I was pregnant and lost my son due to anencephaly but was never diagnosed with gestational diabetes. In 2008 I again became pregnant and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and had to be put on insulin. After I gave birth to my daughter, the diabetes was gone. We decided to have another child and we knew that we had an increased risk of getting gestation diabetes again so I lost 20 lb. before getting pregnant in an attempt to avoid getting it again. However, I again got gestational diabetes. This pregnancy has been very hard on me and has made every day activities impossible. My doctor took me out of work when I was 33 weeks pregnant. Is UNUM’s denial valid?
Kellie,
The pre-existing conditions provisions in every disability policy are different. We would need to review your policy and medical records to determine if this Unum Short Term disability denial is valid. From the short facts you have described it sounds like a questionable denial. If you complete our Free Consultation form, then we will contact you to discuss your claim.
I saw the man on Channel 9 complaining about Unum, very sad. People deserve their money. I’m glad Fox 9 helped the poor man to get his money. Must be pretty bad to be on the news. I’m disabled and I will sure stay away from this company.
My aunt is receiving LTD from Unum and SSDI. We understand if she accesses her pension after age 55 (eligible date) and before age 65, her payments from Unum will be reduced by the same amount. Can she access money from her 401k to pay additional living expenses or will that money also be considered income?
Shelly,
The answer to your question depends on the language contained in the Unum disability policy. Without seeing the policy we cannot answer your question. You should ask Unum in writing for their opinion.
I’ve been on LTD with Unum since 2009. It was mental health, due to my Dr. not believing me that my neck and leg hurts. I now have spinal stenosis, a bulging disc. My LTD expires for mental health in April. Surgery is not an option and now I have no medical insurance.
How long does Unum have to give me notice? If I’m awarded SSDI do I have to pay them back?
It all started with a rash valley fever on job site. My Dr. didn’t do proper test. Not believing I was ill, so I gave up for a year. Went to psy and therapist (which she noted illness in every note). Now it’s a waiting game. I have Genex as my disability help, was denied first (which was just mental health, now it worse). Both the mental health Dr. and primary stated I could not work. I’m on 6 500 mg of vicodin and 3 flexaral along with anxiety and cymbalta.
Cathy,
If you were awarded SSDI it is likely you will need to pay back the funds you receive for any overpayment. If your LTD expires for Mental in April, then you need to make sure that Unum has all of the medical records related to your treatment for physical conditions. If you are denied by Unum, please contact us to discuss your options.
Unum should be put under federal watch list and the money owed to people taken right out of their account, but most of all put the crooks in jail, they’re an embarssment to the USA.
My question is: if you appeal when Unum denies you, do you still receive funds? This is my life they are playing with.
Cathy,
When Unum or any other disability insurance company denies a claim, then they usually stop paying disability benefits immediately. If you win your appeal, then they will pay all past due benefits that have not been paid.
Greg, I received a letter stating my mental health ran out. Now Unum is deciding if it’s physical. I didn’t even ask if I would still receive funds. My sister in law mentioned it to me and no money. What do I do? I have no insurance and no one to borrow money from. My son is 18 with medical conditions. How long do they have to make a decision? My doctor stated due to no insurance he say I can work in 6 months. What BS. Please help me.
Cathy,
If you have disabling physical conditions then Unum has to evaluate them. Unum will usually make a determination within 30-45 days regarding a review of your medical records. You may want to consider applying for SSDI if you are eligible. You need to document with your doctor any physical conditions that you believe prevent you from working, if any.