UNUMPROVIDENT AND DMEC ANNOUNCE 2006 VIRTUAL EDUCATION FORUM

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Jan. 23, 2006) – UnumProvident is teaming with the Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) for the 2006 Virtual Education Forum (VEF), an education series on disability, absence and workplace productivity.

Beginning with a session on consumer-driven healthcare in February, the forums provide human resource professionals and benefits brokers with timely, valuable information on the latest trends in successful absence management and productivity.

Now in its third year, the UnumProvident-sponsored VEF series has enjoyed wide-spread popularity among human resource managers – a group that is often short on time but in need of continuous education in the ever-changing landscape of benefits trends, technology and laws.

"The virtual classroom format gives disability managers a chance to participate in timely and topical discussions with industry leaders without having to leave their desks and incur additional travel expense," said Terri Rhodes, DMEC executive director. “These virtual forums are an ideal learning environment for today’s time-strapped managers."

"Beyond the convenience, these sessions are thought-provoking and provide real-life best practices of absence management," said Philip Bruen, vice president of national accounts, practice leader for UnumProvident. “The high-quality presentations always spark lively discussion that you honestly don’t find at a large, impersonal conference."

Online and phone registration is currently open for the first three sessions and will reopen in July for the last three sessions. DMEC encourages participants to register early. For additional information on the 2006 VEF series, visit www.dmec.org. The forum schedule, also available online is as follows:

Tuesday, February 14
Consumer Driven Healthcare: Is it right for my organization?
Presenters from America’s Health Insurance Plans and Rockwell Collins

Tuesday, March 14
On the Front Lines of Lost Time Management
Presenters from UnumProvident Corporation and OSRAM SYLVANIA

Tuesday, April 11
Managing the Impact of Cancer on the Health and Productivity of a Work Force
Presenters from Mayo Clinic – Comprehensive Cancer Clinic

Tuesday, September 12
Managing Chronic Pain and Arthritis in the Work Place
Presenters from Pfizer Employer Advisory Group

Tuesday, October 10
Managing Lost Time in a Call Center Operation
Presenters from CFODMEC, Inc. and L.L. Bean, Inc

Tuesday, November 14
The Changing Role of Employer Based Occupational Health Functions
Presenters from UnumProvident Corporation, Bayer Corporate and Business Services and Cisco Systems

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About UnumProvident
UnumProvident (UNM) is the largest provider of group and individual disability income protection insurance in the United States and United Kingdom. Through its subsidiaries, UnumProvident Corporation insures more than 25 million people and paid $5.9 billion in total benefits to customers in 2004. With primary offices in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Portland, Maine, the company employs nearly 12,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.unumprovident.com.

About DMEX
The Disability Management Employer Coalition, Inc., DMEC, is a nonprofit, employer-focused professional association founded in 1992 to advance the development of integrated disability and absence management processes in all disability-related employer programs. The coalition encourages employers, health and disability providers, and the government at all levels to support the concept of disability, benefits and absence integration. In addition to annual conferences, publications and training programs, DMEC offers members access to an Internet library of specialized assistance in the development, implementation and monitoring of integrated programs. Take a look at the benefits of membership at www.dmec.org.