Georgia Health Insurance 411

Posts Tagged ‘disability’

Nathalie Blanchard is on medical leave after being diagnosed with major depression. She is collecting monthly sick leave benefits from Manulife. This was not a problem until she decided to take a trip and post some pics on Facebook.

When Blanchard called Manulife, the company said that “I’m available to work, because of Facebook,” she told CBC News this week.

She said her insurance agent described several pictures Blanchard posted on the popular social networking site, including ones showing her having a good time at a Chippendales bar show, at her birthday party and on a sun holiday — evidence that she is no longer depressed, Manulife said.

When my wife is depressed, a trip to Chippendales always cheers her up. Apparently Manulife views it differently.

Blanchard said that on her doctor’s advice, she tried to have fun, including nights out at her local bar with friends and short getaways to sun destinations, as a way to forget her problems.

She also doesn’t understand how Manulife accessed her photos because her Facebook profile is locked and only people she approves can look at what she posts.

Apparently Canadian insurance companies can be as dastardly as U.S. based ones.

Her lawyer Tom Lavin said Manulife’s investigation was inappropriate.

“I don’t think for judging a mental state that Facebook is a very good tool,” he said, adding that he has requested another psychiatric evaluation for Blanchard.

Well of course not.

If Facebook can diagnose psych issues then why do we need real docs? Paging Dr. Facebook . . .

Georgia disability insurance coverage is not just for regular folks. Super hero’s need to protect their income as well.

Who covers your bills when your income stops? Ask about Georgia disability insurance coverage.

The Atlanta Braves think Hartford Insurance is trying to stiff them on a disability claim. Who can blame them?

Mike Hampton who, at one time, was one of the most dominating lefties in the league spent the better part of 6 years on the Braves payroll . . . most of that time on the DL.

Mr. Hampton was injured in 2005 and missed all of the 2006 and 2007 seasons after two elbow surgeries. During those two seasons, Hartford, Conn.-based Hartford Life made “daily benefit” payments under the policy.

So what’s the beef?

According to court documents, a provision within the policy states that if Mr. Hampton was “totally disabled” before the expiration date, the policy would remain in effect. Further, the policy states that “benefits will remain in effect after the expiration date of coverage if (Mr. Hampton’s) total disability commenced during the coverage period.”

This guy was a walking disaster. I used to love watching him pitch for the Astro’s . . . except when he was pitching against us. His arrival in Atlanta was supposed to beef up our rotation. Instead, he spent most of the days on the bench, watching teammates earn their salary.

Mr. Hampton injured his pectoral muscle while warming up for his first game back from injury in April 2008, forcing him to miss 117 days of the season. The Braves claim that they are owed $41,208.79 per day from Hartford Life for those days.

At $41k per day that’s a nice paycheck. Can’t blame the Braves for trying to collect.