Your Benefits Enrollment Choices Can Strengthen Your Holistic Well-Being

Your Benefits Enrollment Choices Can Strengthen Your Holistic Well-Being

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact millions of employees across the United States, nearly half of workers say open enrollment is more important this year. In fact, 75 percent of employees indicate there are benefits they are more interested in this year than last year, according to MetLife’s 2020 open enrollment survey.   There…

Bipolar disorder and disability benefits claims

Bipolar Disorder and SSDI

Bipolar disorder – sometimes known as “manic depression” – is a disorder of the brain. People with this disorder will often experience extreme shifts in levels of activity, mood and energy. Such extremes are referred to as manic and depressive episodes. Out of all bipolar disorder cases, 83% are classified as severe. Most cases of…

Disability insurance is income protection

Three Lessons I Learned Through Postpartum Depression

By Diane Russell, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategy, Lincoln Financial Group If you have children, you know there’s no shortage of advice from family, friends and sometimes even strangers. Yet, mothers dealing with postpartum depression often feel like they have no one to talk to about what they’re going through. At least, that’s…

Successful Return-to-Work Program Design

Successful Return-to-Work Program Design for Behavioral Health Conditions (Part I)

Prior to the pandemic, the United States saw a decades-long epidemic of “diseases of despair” with increasing rates of depression, suicide, addiction and overdose deaths. Mental health and substance use issues—and the economic and human costs of those conditions—were a focus for employers. Then came the pandemic. Rates of anxiety and depression tripled and remain…

Building a resilient workforce during periods of adversity

Building a Resilient Workforce During Periods of Adversity

By Tracey Ferstler, PhD, Head of Return to Health, Global Claims, MetLife   COVID turned the world as we know it upside down, and people who work in and around absence management and disability insurance are looking for answers on what’s next.  Will we return to normal or is this our new normal?  What is unique…

Man drills working on home project while dog watches

Check Your DI Before You DIY

Have you found yourself taking on a Do-It-Yourself project lately? Whether you’re painting a wall, replacing a kitchen counter top, or repairing the deck outside, you’re not alone. Millions of people working at home these days have started DIY projects.   Empty lumber shelves and back-orders for appliances in local and big box stores nationwide…

May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month

Ask Me Anything about Social Security Disability Insurance

As the spread of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 altered how we work, live and move about our communities, Americans started sending an increasing number of questions to The Council for Disability Awareness about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). We turned to one of our member company experts – Ted Norwood of Integrated Benefits, Inc.…

May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month

Paid Leave on the Rise: Why Disability Insurance Is Still Important

Many states across the United States have either initiated or passed legislation to offer paid medical and family leave to employees. If you have access to this benefit, you may question if you need supplemental disability insurance. The short answer is YES. While paid leave may offer financial assistance in specific situations, the need for…