Unum-Provident Corp. Accepts Multi-Million Dollar Settlement

On Nov. 18, 2004, Unum-Provident Corp., the nation’s largest disability carrier with 25 percent of the market nationwide, settled a multi-state investigation into claim denials. Unum will pay $15 million in fines and will be forced to re-examine 200,000 denied claims as part of the settlement. Attorneys general representing numerous states uncovered a corporate environment at Unum that encouraged looking “for every technical legal way to avoid paying a claim.”

Persons with CFIDS (PWCs) may represent a sizable group within those improperly denied benefits. The investigation found that Unum relied solely on their in-house physicians and often failed to consider both physical and psychological conditions in determining whether to deny or terminate benefits. Scores of PWCs have reported these problems in their dealings with Unum and other insurers now owned by Unum. We’ve covered some of these stories in the CFIDS Chronicle over the years. Unum insures 25 million people, through individual and group policies written by: Unum Life Insurance Co. of America, the Paul Revere Life Insurance Co., the Provident Life and Casualty Insurance Co., Provident Life and Accident Insurance Co., and the First Unum Life Insurance Co.

If you have been denied benefits under a Unum-held policy, contact your disability attorney or visit http://www.unum.com/newsroom/news/corporate/11032004_settlement.aspx for details about the reconsideration process. The National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives provides a network of attorneys specializing in disability law. You can reach their referral service at 800-431-2804.