Short-Term Disability (STD)

Enrolling in the STD plan gives you income protection in case you become disabled due to illness or a non-occupational injury. For the 2009-2010 plan year, there is a significant decrease in the monthly premium for the STD plan, and the elimination period has been reduced from 30 days to 14 days. Evidence of Insurability (EOI) will be waived for enrollment in STD insurance during the 2009 Annual Enrollment and following a qualified status change during the plan year.

After a 14-day elimination period requirement has been satisfied or after you use all of your accumulated sick leave (whichever is longer), if your disability claim is approved, you will be eligible to receive 60% of your covered weekly earnings. Benefits under this program will be decreased by deductible sources of income or other disability benefits received from other sources. Your total disability pay, including other sources of income, cannot be more than 60% of your covered salary.

 

Weekly Benefit	60% of weekly earnings up to a maximum benefit of $693.00 per week subject to reduction by deductible sources of income or disability earnings.
Elimination Period	Accident: Fourteen (14) days Sickness: Fourteen (14) days
Maximum Period Payable	22 Weeks; 4 weeks for pre-existing conditions
Definition of Disability	Occupation Definition: You are unable to perform the duties of your regular occupation because of sickness or a non-occupational injury; OR Earnings Definition: You are working, but you are unable to earn more than 80% of your pre-disability earnings because of sickness or non-occupational injury.
Sick Leave	You must exhaust all of your sick leave before benefits are payable.
EOI	If you enroll during the July 2009 Annual Enrollment period, no Evidence of Insurability (EOI) is required. During subsequent Annual Enrollment periods, all previously eligible employees must complete an Evidence of Insurability form.
Pre-Existing Condition	A pre-existing condition is a condition for which medical treatment or advice was rendered, prescribed or recommended within three (3) months prior to the employee's effective date of STD insurance. A condition will no longer be considered pre-existing if it causes disability that begins after the employee has been insured under the Short-Term Disability policy for a period of twelve (12) months.
Other Exclusions	Disabilities resulting from war, suicide or felony, occupational accident or sickness or while incarcerated.
Definition of Weekly Earnings	Weekly Earnings will equal the greater of: 1/52nd of Your last reported gross annual income from Your Employer in effect on the day immediately prior to Your Date of Disability; or 1/52nd of Your gross annual income from Your Employer in effect on the September 1 immediately prior to Your Date of Disability. Weekly Earnings includes Hazardous duty pay; Longevity pay; Employee contributions made through a salary reduction agreement with your employer to an IRC Section 401(k), 403(b), 501(c)(3), 457 deferred compensation plan, or any other qualified or non-qualified employee Retirement Plan or deferred compensation arrangement; and Amounts contributed to your fringe benefits according to a salary reduction arrangement under an IRC Section 125 plan. Weekly Earnings does not include Commissions; Bonuses; Overtime pay; Your employer’s contribution on your behalf to a Retirement Plan or deferred compensation arrangement; or Any other extra compensation.

 

You may read additional information about plan features and exclusions in the Short-Term Disability Plan certificate or online at www.utsystem.edu/benefits.