"Happy Holidays" and "ERISA governed long term disability insurance benefit claims" go together about as well as oil and water.  But, in the spirit of the Holidays, just a few small packages of hope to note at this time of year.

-   A small trend with appellate courts recognizing that insurance company medical reviews by insurance doctors are not reliable or necessarily reasonable.

-  A trend towards increased settlement, or "buy out" offers, to long term disability insurance benefit recipients that are almost reasonable.  The catch:  You need to have an attorney approve the agreement, and the insurance company will only pay $250 for the attorney review.  An interesting approach by Big Insurance to carve out any meaningful legal assistance to LTD claimants, but if a few people in desperate need of financial relief are helped, long live the trend.

- Appellate courts willingness (again) to state that undercover surveilance films are almost always of no meaningful assistance in determining disability, and over reliance on undercover video is reason to reverse an insurance company denial of benefits.

- Hope for homeowners about to lose their homes.  A government program that seems to be working (maybe).  If you are on unemployment and you cannot make your home payments there is a program administered by the states using federal monies that will make mortgage payments (up to a cap) for the time you are on unemployment benefits.  While this has limited application to long term disability insurance benefit claimants (and so many of you are losing your homes), there may be a few who can take advantage of this program.  Any help for even a few disabled workers is welcomed.

- Bargain value wines continue to improve in quality.  And I've noticed wonderful macro brewery Canadian beers going on sale at outstanding prices.  Just in time for the Holidays and keeping the 99% spirits bright!  Cheers, Randy Noah