Social Security Proposes New Regulations for How It Will Evaluate Mental Disabilities

Social Security is proposing to change the way it evaluates mental disabilities. In proposed regulations published in the Federal Register on August 19, 2010, the Social Security Administration stated that it intends to change its process for Social Security Disability and SSI benefits by amending its Listing of Impairments as they apply to mental disorders like depression, anxiety, organic and cognitive mental disorders, mental retardation, schizophrenia, autism, and personality disorders.

Social Security is seeking comments on the proposed regulations. The deadline for comments isNovember 17, 2010. You can find out how to submit comments by clicking on the link above to read the Federal Register preface to the proposed regs.

I have not had the chance to read these in depth yet. Obviously, the proposed version may not be what Social Security issues as final regulations in November (or later), so stay tuned for more news as it develops.

Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.

UNUM Group to Pay $5.55 Million in Fines Over Hidden Fees

Fran Lysiak of Zibb.com reported that "Disability insurer Unum Group has agreed to pay $5.55 million in fines and penalties to the federal government for failing to disclose hidden fees it paid to a broker, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California said. The fees were required to be reported as called for under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, prosecutors said." To read the full article, go to: http://www.zibb.com/article/3486232/Unum+Group+to+Pay+555+Million+in+Fines+Over+Hidden+Fees+to+Broker

ERISA is the law that regulates employee benefit plans offered by private companies in the United States. By agreeing to such a huge fine, UNUM provides us even more evidence of its disregard for the the U.S. Department of Labor's ERISA regulations. The U.S. Attorney's office found that UNUM was actively concealing the fees paid by UNUM for insurance commissions and disclosures related to group benefit plans. As the U.S. Attorney was quoted as saying, the regulations requiring disclosure, exist "to promote transparency." So much for transparency when the biggest disability insurance company simply ignores the rules and will only follow them when the government threatens prosecution.

To read more about ERISA, visit the ERISA law FAQ tuckerludin.com.


Copyright (c) 2008 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. Any content borrowed or referenced from another source is referenced by citation to the original source as noted in the text above.