Chapter 5

The Value of an Attorney Network for your Employees

One of the most overwhelming parts of dealing with a legal issue is knowing where to turn for help. 

For many Americans contacting an attorney is one of the most stressful things they encounter in their daily lives. First, there’s finding one to trust. And second, there’s figuring out how to pay for the high hourly rate to use one.

Legal plans are designed to give employees affordable access to legal help and make it easy for them to find attorneys they can trust. Like a health insurance plan where individuals can choose their doctor from a network or outside of a network, a legal plan gives members access to attorneys of their choice, in or out of network. But unlike health insurance, there are no copays, deductibles or waiting periods, as long as the member is using an in-network attorney for a covered service.

Legal plans also ensure that employees get quality service from the attorney they choose. Attorneys in a legal plan network have to meet certain requirements as far as the number of years they’ve been in practice and their breadth of practice, and are required to have graduated from an accredited law school. Also, most legal plan providers review, monitor and evaluate their attorneys regularly to ensure quality service.

After that initial phone call (the Customer Service Representative) got me in touch with a lawyer. He called me back within an hour. I thought wow what lawyer calls someone back within an hour?

—Leslie, age 47, legal plan member

He didn’t act like ‘oh you guys are secondary clients to us’ because we used [the legal plan]. We thought maybe we wouldn’t be treated as well because we’re coming in on this discounted plan. But he was very good. He spent a whole hour with us and sent us home with a packet.

—Greg, 49, legal plan member

Questions to Ask About a Legal Plan’s Attorney Network

Can employees use attorneys anywhere?

Members should have the freedom to choose whatever attorney is most convenient for them. Members should have the option to use an attorney outside of the network and be reimbursed according to a fee reimbursement schedule.

How are issues with attorneys resolved?

Members should never feel stuck with an attorney or be left alone to deal with an issue. Participants should be encouraged to call if they’re not happy with an attorney and be connected with a new one if necessary.

Are services fully covered?

In order for your employees to get the assistance they need for their covered legal issues, attorney services should be fully covered from beginning to end, including trial representation.

Is there a limit to services?

Legal plan members should never be penalized for using the legal plan. There shouldn’t be hour limits or frequency restrictions on covered service.

Is there a money-back guarantee?

A money-back guarantee is the ultimate quality control measure for customer satisfaction. To ensure the legal plan works for your employees, the provider should offer an unconditional, money-back guarantee that covers the performance of plan attorneys, client service representatives and panel representatives.
5 Questions to Ask Your Legal Plan Provider
VIDEO:

5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Legal Plan Provider

White Paper

Download White Paper

Improving Employee Wellness through Legal Benefits

In this white paper we will look at a significant cause of stress and financial hardship for your employees – legal issues. Research conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Hyatt Legal Plans, found that many Americans are not prepared to handle legal issues and would be interested in legal plans as a way to help them save money and reduce their stress about financial issues.

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