Unum PHI

Emmylou_2

I think I'm going to pass out.

One of my benefits from work is Permanent Health Insurance (PHI) with Unum. It pays 75% of full time salary when you are unable to work due to disability.

Well, earlier this year, I bit the bullet and actually took the medical advice (of my GP, consultant and Occupational Health Doctor) to reduce my hours to three days a week (21 hours, so 60% FTE).

I put a claim in for proportionate benefit (ie paying the difference between 60% and 75%). Wasn't holding my breath, as (a) I know Unum traditionally are like The Firm (John Grisham...you know, deny deny deny) and (b) even more so when it's something like ME, which is what I hvae.

I got a letter from my HR department this morning at work. They've approved my claim :T:beer::eek:. Backdated to June (ie after a 13 week qualifying period, which I knew about).

Roll on 21 October :money:

bigjl

It seems a sad inditement of this country when we feel the need to celebrate when we recieve what we are entitled to. I am glad you have been treated properly in this instance.

Pity my employer, NHS, is well known for not paying anything to anybody, unless you are a senior manager.

TOBRUK

Emmylou, I'm so pleased for you. When you work and pay into health insurance etc you wonder if anything does happen will they try and wriggle out of paying - finding something to justify not paying out!

It's only when you do become ill that you find out whether after paying years for the scheme they will deliver.

I'm sure you have a mixture of feelings, relief, joy, exhaustion, whether to laugh or cry etc. I suffer badly with M.E. I eventually had to leave employment altogether in a job I loved, and now am more or less housebound. I know how bad it can affect you, at least this will ease a lot of the anxiety which you must have been going through.

Emmylou_2

Oh, the best bit? I don't personally pay into this at all. It's a "free" benefit from my employers.