CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Long term disability claims for complicated pregnancies have decreased
nearly 50 percent over the last decade in the U.S., according to data
from Unum
(NYSE: UNM), a leading provider of disability benefits.
“There are a few trends driving this particular experience, like fewer
C-section deliveries, early detection and intervention in high-risk
pregnancies, and access to more resources for new moms,” said Greg
Breter, senior vice president of benefits at Unum.
After a peak in 2009, low-risk C-section deliveries have been declining
over the last several years, according to a
study on births in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
“With surgery comes the risk for complications,” said Dr. Dean Morrel, a
medical consultant for Unum. “Medical professionals have more research
available about procedure results, and they’re using that information to
ensure C-sections are performed for the right reasons.”
Health insurance carriers have also been more proactive in connecting
new moms with specialists early in a pregnancy if new or pre-existing
health conditions could trigger a complicated pregnancy. “Early
detection and intervention in a high-risk pregnancy is key in reducing
the chances of complications,” Morrel notes.
Ed Alvino, Unum’s chief medical officer, also points to medical advances
in pre- and post-natal care as a driver in these results. “Women not
only have access to better medical care, there are also more educational
materials available stressing the importance of maintaining lifestyles
that promote healthier pregnancies.”
While long term disability claims related to complicated pregnancies
have decreased, pregnancy remains the No. 1 reason for short term
disability. Short term disability is often used for maternity leave for
new moms, which Unum paid nearly $100 million in benefits for in 2016.
Unum is the leading provider of group and individual disability benefits
in the U.S. and received more than 419,000 new disability claims in 2016.
ABOUT UNUM
Unum Group (www.unum.com)
is a leading provider of financial protection benefits in the United
States and the United Kingdom. Its primary businesses are Unum US,
Colonial Life, Starmount and Unum UK. Unum’s portfolio includes
disability, life, accident and critical illness, dental and vision
coverage, which help protect millions of working people and their
families in the event of an illness or injury. Unum also provides
stop-loss coverage to help self-insured employers protect against
unanticipated medical costs. The company reported revenues of $11
billion in 2016, and provided $6.9 billion in benefits.
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Unum Group
Kelly Spencer, 423-294-4508
Toll free: 866-750-8686
Kspencer2@unum.com
Source: Unum Group