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A class action suit charges that Unum systematically denies disability claims. The complaints we receive do nothing to dispel that notion. For a particularly outrageous chain of events, see Judy's Story.
Wendy of Winchester, MA July 4, 2008
Wendy of Winchester MA (07/04/08)
I had an injury to my left ankle/foot which ended up being plantar fascitis & tendonitis with continuing swelling & major pain. Since I was on my feet over 40 hours a week, I was unable to perform my job. I did not have any problems with short term disabilities through Starbucks->Unum but I've yet to receive long term benefits.
Unum asks again and again for documents they already have in their possession. And I definitely feel like they are stalling.
Once, my benefits specialst called me 10 minutes before she was to leave for the weekend to tell me they haven't received a response from one of my doctors and now they would require an extra 30 days to process my claim. (Even though they already knew this doctor only made an insert for my shoe and gave me no medical treatment.)
Every other week, they request information from a different doctor - which only prolongs the process and, in turn, they again said they had to take an additional 30 days to process my claim. Like I said -- they already have ALL of this information!!
I'm broke. I literally have less than 10 in my bank acount and all of my bills are MORE than overdue. Creditors call me EVERY day. I can't take it much longer.
My partner can't afford to take care of everything, which has also put a tremendous strain on our relationship because her bills are now behind because of me.
And here's the thing - according to Unum in order to receive benefits, I must be currently be receiving dotor treatment for my foot BUT I can't afford to go to the doctor because i do not have the money to pay the doctors -- so what do I do? Unum's got me either way!
It's going on 3 months and if it weren't for my partner I would be out on the streets -- if something doesn't happen soon, we may BOTH be out on the streets. I am completely depressed, broke, AND out of a job. Please help! Pamela of Jerome, ID July 3, 2008
Pamela of Jerome ID (07/03/08)
I fell ill on May 29th with a severe sore throat. I went to my physician that afternoon for a strep test. The preliminary test came back negative and the following day the lab result was also negative. By the next two days the throat virus had moved into my chest and I went back to the doctors and was told I could expect to be out of work from a week to a month depending on how long the virus took to run its course. By that Friday, I was hoping that by the weekend I would be able to go back to work -- having now missed a full week. My doctor wrote my release on my assumption. However by Monday, I still had a fever, and a lot of fluid in my chest, wheezing and was continuosly coughing. I called my physcian who again said to stay home and to rest. It wasn't until the following Friday evening that I felt I could get out of bed. By that Monday I returned to work. UNUM refuses to approve the 2nd week, eventhough my physician wrote a statement to them explaining that a person who is feberish and coughing would not be recommended to go to work. In fact, when I tried to explain this to my case worker Mr. Galloway, he accused me of not even seeing a doctor. I couldn't believe it what I was hearing. Salli of Pembroke Pines, FL June 29, 2008
Salli of Pembroke Pines FL (06/29/08)
About three years ago, I fell and broke my ankle. I was in a cast for over two months. I filed a claim with Unum insurance for short term disability. They issued me a check for 500 and some change. I was informed my payment was based on the amount of my last paycheck and not my weekly salary . This was very unfortunate in that I was only into the second day of that pay period when the accident occured. However, they then called and requested I send the check back. They claimed that I was on leave at the time which was completely wrong. Therefore, I was not eligible for any benefits.
I called my employer and they denied they had ever told UNUM that. What was more, the indiviual I was communicating with thought I could still perform my work duties in spite of the fact I lived 25 miles round trip to my workplace and could not drive ( I broke my right ankle) per my doctors orders. Additionally, the cast would not allow me to wear most of my work clothes. When I protested these determinations, the agent became extremely rude and suggested I was trying to pull something. I was completely disgusted by the whole incident.
I never received a penny in compensation from UNUM insurance. They are not in the least bit helpful and the premiums, although inexpensive are a waste of money. They seek any possible means for denying a claim. I did not know this web site existed or I would have provided this information a long time ago.I do not expect any compensation at this late date but I want others to know about this disreputable company.
At the time my accident occured we were not doing well financially.The money sure would have helped. I wouldn't say any damages occured as a result, although we really had to struggle as my income was vitally needed. However, the agent I was dealing with was so upsetting I had to start taking medication for my nerves. Richard of Mt. Pleasant, SC April 30, 2008
Richard of Mt. Pleasant SC (04/30/08)
My policy wwas bought by unum Provident and it provides for lifetime payments as long as I am not able to return to my former line of employmment. That was a 12-14 hr per day managerial position in Logistics in a manufacturing plant. I take 60 mg of Oxy Contin per day and also take Percocet and zanaflex or Valium as needed for spike pain or muscle spasms. My surgery did not go as planned due to extreme bleeding. I still have pain in my lower back daily, unless I stay in bed all day, and frequently have neck pains as well. I went to a vacation spot and was asked to go for a ride on a jet ski. I did but the person driving went out into the rough water so I immediately pulled the kill switch and told hern eithern we go in or we go to the flat water, we went in. I reported that to my doctor along with something that did make my back hurt which was a long bke ride through soft beach sand. I got off the bike and walked it to the hard sand so I could resume riding it. The strenous efforts of trying to ride in the soft sand caused immediate pain which was why I walked the bike.
I have arhtritis, osteoporosis, bone spurs, steel rods and screws in my back and am in pain daily. Unum asked for an update letter from my surgeon which was sent 4/10/08. On 4/30/08 they called to say they had not received it so I faxed a copy on the spot. Now they are telling me they will probably send me to another Orthopedic Surgeon to be evaluated even though they have numerous letters, follow up reports and copies of all MRIs. If their doctor pronounces me fit with a quick office visit I will be cut off financially, addicted to narcotics, and still have no ability to work. When I asked how am I supposed to get a job, much less one just like I had , when I am in this position they told me that is not their problem. What a company. Glad I paid my premiums for 20 years. Now I can get ready to lose my home and any assets I may have because of a 10 minute ride on a jet ski.
I have SSDI but it will just cover my mortgage payment. I can not survive on SSDI by itself. I will have to sell my house in this horrible real estate market and do what I can with the proceeds. How do you live on 1650 a month? Sandra of Tigrd, OR April 23, 2008
Sandra of Tigrd OR (04/23/08)
I went on short term disability on October 2007 - I could not walk, hospitized twice in Oct and Dec - after 10 docs, finally got a diagnosis - osteroarthritis in January 2008. Met with the 10th doc in January and he said, some back in 2 months at the earliest. HOWEVER, never being on disability and an honest person told unum what the doc said, but told them my goal was to go back to work full time Feb 1st. That did not happen, but after that Unum called me continually - not leaving a detailed message saying that I was going back to work full time Feb 1st
I explained in writing several times thru fax, but was ignored. Every week I was getting multiple calls and at that point, was scared to talk with them The doc office advised that I not tell them anything, just keep refering them to my doc. Then I get another letter saying I would be going back to work full time April 1st - NO IDEA WHERE THEY GOT THAT DATE, not from me or the doc.
I ended up being able to go back full time April 7th THANK GOD and thoughtI would not hear from them again. WRONG, they have called me multiple times since, just recently again tonight and last Thursday - this from long term disability(Glenn Walker) - already told them once. I was under a lot of stress both financially and physically, and I truly feel, Unum was contacting me to the point of harrasement. PLUS in the beginning the number that was on their letter head was not the correct number. I would tell the people at the first number to update my file, and they just flat out didn't They were supposed to transfer me to HSBC Unum Provident.
When I was very ill, one person was SO RUDE I hung up on her and then found out all the calls I made had not updated anything. I understand that some people my fake a problem - I had plenty of documentation and doctors to prove what I was going through was not a fake. That didn't seem to matter to Unum. I have their letters and my faxes to back up what I'm saying and believe me there was much more.
I only received part pay and from Oct to Dec I got paid twice. and when I called them, they said it was HSBC. I also have uncerative colitis and this entire process was pretty upsetting that I had a flare up which was documented in Dec by the hospital as well as not being able to walk.
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