Maximizing Employee Well-Being with Unum’s Comprehensive Disability Solutions

Why Disability Coverage Matters for Today’s Employers

When illness or injury strikes, employees face unexpected income gaps that can derail financial stability. Unum specializes in disability insurance designed for employers of all sizes—providing both short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) coverages that ensure your team’s peace of mind. By integrating unum solutions into your benefits package, you demonstrate a commitment to total-care support that:

• Protects Income: Replaces a portion of lost wages—up to 60% of pre-disability earnings.
• Retains Talent: Employees value robust safety nets, reducing turnover when life throws curveballs.
• Promotes Wellness: Encourages early intervention and rehabilitation, speeding return-to-work.

Key Features of Unum’s Disability Offerings

1. Tailored Benefit Structures

• Flexible Waiting Periods: Choose elimination periods (e.g., 7, 14, 30 days) to balance premium cost and coverage timing.
• Variable Benefit Durations: STD plans up to 26 weeks; LTD benefits that continue to age 65 or Social Security retirement.
• Customizable Offsets: Coordinate with Social Security and workers’ compensation to simplify claims and avoid overinsurance.

2. Integrated Leave Management

• Seamless FMLA Coordination: Unum’s case management syncs with FMLA administration—automating eligibility checks and notices.
• Disability + Absence Bundling: Consolidate STD, LTD, and other leaves into a unified platform for clarity and compliance.

3. Proactive Case Management & Return-to-Work Support

• Dedicated Clinicians: Registered nurses and vocational specialists guide claimants through treatment plans and workplace accommodations.
• Early Intervention Programs: Identify potential issues before formal claim—reducing claim duration and costs.

4. Employee Self-Service & Digital Tools

• Mobile Claims Portal: File and track claims via web or mobile app—upload documentation and receive real-time status updates.
• Benefit Calculators & FAQs: On-demand resources help employees understand coverage levels, waiting periods, and claim timelines.

5. Data-Driven Insights for HR Leaders

• Utilization Reports: Monitor claim incidence and cost drivers by department or location—pinpointing areas for wellness investments.
• Predictive Analytics: Forecast potential disability trends based on workforce demographics, enabling proactive health-promotion initiatives.

Best Practices for Implementing Unum Disability Programs

1. Communicate Clearly: Launch employee education sessions—webinars, lunch-and-learns, and written guides—to explain unum benefits, claim processes, and support resources.
2. Align with Wellness: Pair disability coverage with health and EAP programs to address root-cause issues like stress or repetitive-strain injuries.
3. Streamline Administration: Leverage Unum’s integration with your HRIS and payroll systems to automate eligibility tracking and premium billing.
4. Review Annually: As your team grows and demographics shift, reassess elimination periods, benefit amounts, and integration with other leave policies.
5. Engage Leadership: Equip managers with guidance on supporting employees through absence and return-to-work phases—fostering an inclusive, resilient culture.

Real-World Impact: Unum in Action

• Mid-Size Tech Firm: After adding unum STD and LTD, the company saw a 35% reduction in average disability claim duration—saving over $150K in indirect costs through faster rehabilitation.
• Healthcare Network: Unum’s proactive case management decreased extended-absenteeism days by 22%, improving staff morale and continuity of care.