SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 1, 2000
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant
as Specified in Charter)
Minnesota 33-63799 81-0170040
(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
500 Bielenberg Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(651) 738-4000
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last
Report)
Item 4
(a) The Board of Directors of the registrant
approved the engagement of Pricewaterhouse Coopers
LLP as its independent auditors for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2000 to replace the firm
of Ernst & Young LLP, effective June 1, 2000.
The reports of Ernst & Young LLP on the
registrant's financial statements for the past two
fiscal years did not contain an adverse opinion or
a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or
modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or
accounting principles.
In connection with the audits of the registrant's
financial statements for each of the two fiscal
years ended December 31, 1999, and in the
subsequent interim period, there were no
disagreements with Ernst & Young LLP on any
matters of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope
and procedures which, if not resolved to the
satisfaction of Ernst & Young LLP would have
caused Ernst & Young LLP to make reference to the
matter in their report. The registrant has
requested Ernst & Young LLP to furnish it a letter
addressed to the Commission stating whether it
agrees with the above statements. A copy of that
letter is filed as Exhibit 1 to this Form 8-K.
(b) The registrant did not consult Pricewaterhouse
Coopers LLP within its two most recent fiscal
years, and any subsequent interim period, prior to
engaging them concerning matters set forth in Item
304(a)(2) of SEC Regulation SK.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange
act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE
COMPANY
By: /s/ David A. Peterson
Name: David A. Peterson
Title: Vice President
Dated: June 1, 2000
EXHIBIT I
June 1, 2000
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549
Gentlemen:
We have read Item 4 of Form 8-K dated June 1, 2000, of
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company and are in agreement
with the statements contained in the three paragraphs
of Item 4(a) on page 1 therein. We have no basis to
agree or disagree with other statements of the
registrant contained therein.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Ernst & Young LLP
