Smiling on Facebook costs Canadian her insurance

[Darkness Falls]

MONTREAL (AFP) – Facebook can be a double-edged sword, a Canadian woman learned when an insurance company cut her health benefits, claiming she was healthy after seeing pictures of her smiling in bikini at the beach.

Nathalie Blanchard, 29, took long-term sick leave from her job at IBM in Bromont, Quebec, more than a year ago for severe depression. She was receiving monthly benefits from her insurance company, Manulife.
When Blanchard called Manulife to inquire why the payments dried up, the insurance company said that "I'm available to work, because of Facebook," she told CBC television.

She said that Manulife cited several pictures Blanchard had posted on her social networking website page, including some showing her enjoying herself during a male strip-tease show at a Chippendales bar, celebrating her birthday and bathing in the sun.
Based on these postings, the firm claimed Blanchard was no longer depressed.

Manulife declined to comment on the incident but said in a statement that "we would not deny or terminate a valid claim solely based on information published on websites such as Facebook."

But the company did recognize that it uses such information to learn more about their clients.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/lifestyl...ternetfacebook

Reading on a couple other forums (Redflagdeal.com being a big one) I really wish all these people trying to game the system would be caught.

[GargoyleWaiting]

Just to get this right... she's complaining about the way in which they found out she was available to work, rather than disputing the decision?

[DudeMan]

smiling is proof that one is not depressed. does it say that in the medical literature? i would have thought a doctors diagnosis be required for a decision like this. guess they do things differently in canadia.

[JMO]

I think it was the beach venue more than the smile. But IANAHA (not a health actuary).

[DudeMan]

Originally Posted by JMO

I think it was the beach venue more than the smile. But IANAHA (not a health actuary).

still not buyin it. are depressed people supposed to sit home and be miserable? i always thought it should be made a point to get out and have some fun.

[JMO]

Originally Posted by Darkness Falls

I really wish all these people trying to game the system would be caught.

Originally Posted by DudeMan

still not buyin it. are depressed people supposed to sit home and be miserable? i always thought it should be made a point to get out and have some fun.

I've had personal experience with depression, so I should be sympathetic to this viewpoint, but I still can't accept that view. I vote with DarknessFalls.

[Hugh Jass]

1) I can't believe that people get to stay out of work for extended periods of time because "they are depressed." I'm not trying to diminish the effects of depression, I just can't believe that a health care provider will actually recognize that. Seems like a "fluff" benefit that they would not cover.
2) So how does what the lady was seen doing mean that she is able to return to work? maybe it was part of her ongoing treatment.

[FormLetter]

Originally Posted by JMO

I think it was the beach venue more than the smile. But IANAHA (not a health actuary).

Probably attending the chippendale's show was even more prominent in their decision to cut the benefits.

[Hugh Jass]

I could see if it was someone out with a back injury, and then they see him carrying lumber or something. But what restrictions are supposed to be placed on someone who is depressed?

[DudeMan]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

2) So how does what the lady was seen doing mean that she is able to return to work? maybe it was part of her ongoing treatment.

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

I could see if it was someone out with a back injury, and then they see him carrying lumber or something. But what restrictions are supposed to be placed on someone who is depressed?

this is exactly my argument. when collecting DI related to a work injury, doctors instructions are to stop doing physically demanding activity. if you get caught disobeying then the insurer stops paying. but with depression, doctor instruction is not to sit home miserable. it is usually to get outdoors in the sunshine and have fun with friends. now if she is seen drinking alcohol or something then that may be a red flag.

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

1) I can't believe that people get to stay out of work for extended periods of time because "they are depressed." I'm not trying to diminish the effects of depression, I just can't believe that a health care provider will actually recognize that. Seems like a "fluff" benefit that they would not cover.

i'm interested in this too. she's been collecting for over 1 year makes me think she witnessed someone die at work or something.......