Top 10 causes of disability
May 8, 2013 12:01 PM
No. 1 LTD cause: Cancer
Although cancer remains a significant area of focus for our disability claims professionals, Tugman says, we are seeing some dramatic trends in recovery and return to work. Cancer accounts for 16% of LTD claims.
No. 2 LTD cause: Back disorders
Back problems account for 15.1% of LTD claims. Watch for them to show up again in STD claims. The lesson here: workers need to watch their back.
No. 3 LTD cause: Injuries
Accounting for 9.8% of LTD claims, injuries are among the most difficult to prevent of any health claims. The more unexpected a health risk, the more important to have secure insurance safety nets in place perhaps for when literal safety nets fail.
No. 4 LTD cause: Behavioral health issues
Essentially a tie with injuries at 9.8% of LTD claims, behavioral health is often not covered under a traditional health plan. So when a disability arises from it, coverage becomes all the more important.
No. 5 LTD cause: Circulatory system disorders
We all know we should take better care of our hearts, but are employees? Circulatory disorders come in 9% of LTD claims.
No. 1 STD cause: Maternity
Normal, healthy pregnancies make up 18.9% of Unums short-term claims.
No. 2 STD cause: Injuries
Non-back-related injuries make up more than one-in-10 short-term disability claims, or nearly one-in-seven of all STD claims not related to maternity.
No. 3 STD cause: Complications from pregnancy
Pregnancy complications account for 8.4% of STD claims.
No. 4 STD cause: Digestive disorders
These represent 8% of STD claims, according to Unum's data.
No. 5 STD cause: Back disorders
In addition to 15.1% of LTD claims, back problems make up 7.1% of STD claims.
