UNUM group income protection do I have to accept?

Seamyb85

Hi,

Quick question I have been off work for some time now and my employer has sent me forms to apply for their group income protection which is through UNUM. They said I might be entitled to assistance from UNUM under their policy and as such I would receive a percentage of my salary from them as I am no longer getting paid by work as SSP timescale has been exceeded.

While I appreciate that work are offering this help my question is do I have to apply for it??

Reasons being their is alot of paperwork involved and I have a procedure coming up soon which will hopefully have me back to work in 4 to 6 weeks. I have read reports where people have said the process takes months so what is the point if I'll be back in a month or so!!

Secondly and more importantly UNUM are asking for my consent to obtain my GP records for the last 3 years.

I do not wish to do so as I feel 3 years is excessive as the illness hasn't kept me off work for 3 years.

Any advice what would be greatly appreciated.

Quentin

You don't have to apply if you don't want to

Weighty1

You don't have to but would it not be nice to be receiving some form of income other than state benefits?

Seamyb85

Thanks Quentin & Weighty1 for the prompt responses.

That's great to know because work had made me feel like I had to do it and returns the completed forms ASAP!!

But if you guys are saying I don't well then I won't because I expect to be back in a month or so and the claim wouldn't even be processed by that time so why waste my energy, the little I have especially as it will give them and work access to my medical records for the last 3 years when the illness is only relevant to the last year or so!!

Thanks again appreciate the help

kingstreet

UNUM is a well-respected provider of Group Permanent Heath Insurance and once your employer stops paying you due to illness or injury, UNUM takes over.

They will have requirements as would any insurer handling a claim.

If you don't wish to meet those requirements, I'm sure UNUM will be hold on to what you would have been paid.

Seamyb85

kingstreet what do you mean by:

"I'm sure UNUM will be hold on to what you would have been paid."

Work haven't paid me anything for the last 6 months since SSP exceeded the 28 weeks limit.

So what would UNUM have to hold on to?

Seamyb85

Kingstreet

Just to clarify I haven't submitted any claim to date.

I have just recieved these forms and I don't wish to apply

,
I am aware i am potentially losing out but for the reasons I have already mentioned i do not want to make a claim any was asking Do I Have to or is it an option?

Thanks

Weighty1

I think what Kingstreet means is if you were eligible to claim say £1,000/month from the UNUM scheme they will happily NOT pay it out if you don't want them to. If I'm honest, you sound like an insurance companies dream because your company will be paying for cover based on you being insured but you don't want to claim the benefit. It's a win:win for the insurer.

Also, just to note, UNUM would obtain certain medical details but these wouldn't be passed on to your employer at all. UNUM still have to comply with data protection even though it's your employer who is paying for the cover.

Seamyb85

Hi Weighty1

Thanks again for your response.

Also, just to note, UNUM would obtain certain medical details but these wouldn't be passed on to your employer at all. UNUM still have to comply with data protection even though it's your employer who is paying for the cover.

That's very interesting as I thought I had read somewhere among all the small print that i was consenting to them passing on information to certain third parties and the insurance holder.

I would be worried that either they would reject it and work would demand I go back although I'm probably being paranoid as there is no way I could work as much as I would want to because this illness and lack of a life is a strain to say the least.

Or I'm worried the notes would reveal that I am unfit for the job and would be let go off by work.

Thanks again

kingstreet

Seamyb85 wrote: »

kingstreet what do you mean by:

"I'm sure UNUM will be hold on to what you would have been paid."

Work haven't paid me anything for the last 6 months since SSP exceeded the 28 weeks limit.

So what would UNUM have to hold on to?

It should have said 'happy' to hold on to what you would have been paid.

Once you reach the end of the scheme deferred period and you remain unable to work that is the point you can make a claim should you wish to do so.

Seamyb85

Thanks for the clarification kingstreet.

I just don't want to get into a case of having to explain/justify my situation, I have done so much of it already with Doctors/Consultants and at this stage I don't have the energy nor do I want 3 years of my GP records to be released to possibly be used against me by anyone.

Thanks again