University Adds Short-Term Disability to Benefits Package

University of Arkansas Human Resources is pleased to announce the addition of short-term disability insurance to the university's employee benefits package! Effective Sept. 1, all classified employees are covered by a basic short-term disability insurance plan, which covers their annual salaries, not to exceed $45,000. This coverage is mandatory for all classified employees, is 100 percent paid by the university, and requires no enrollment. UNUM will be the university's provider for short-term disability insurance.

An optional short-term disability plan will also be implemented, effective Jan. 1, 2014, that will allow non-classified employees to purchase short-term disability coverage and also allow classified employees to purchase additional coverage that will cover their salaries over $45,000. The maximum covered salary for both classified and non-classified is $216,000. Enrollment in the optional short-term disability insurance will take place during the open enrollment period held in November, with the coverage effective Jan. 1, 2014. This open enrollment period will be the last time that eligible employees will be able to enroll in the optional short-term disability coverage without having to complete Evidence of Insurability requirements (subject to underwriting approval). Classified employees who make less than $45,000 will be given 31 days from the date their salaries go over $45,000 to enroll in optional short-term disability.

If you're unfamiliar with short-term disability insurance, here's a few answers to some questions you may have:

• What is Short Term Disability Insurance? Short Term Disability Insurance can pay a portion of your salary for up to 12 weeks while you are out of work due to a covered injury, sickness or childbirth.
• Do I have to use my sick leave to use Short Term Disability? Except for leave due to maternity, employees must exhaust all of their accrued sick leave and vacation before qualifying for Short Term Disability Insurance.
• How does using Short Term Disability work? Employees must be off work for 14 calendar days before they can qualify for Short Term Disability coverage. Short Term Disability benefits will run concurrently with any approved Family and Medical Leave (FML) leave without pay. 
• Does Short Term Disability cover my entire salary? No. Employees approved for Short Term Disability benefits can receive a replacement income equal to 60% of their pre-disability salaries and will be paid for the duration of their disability up to a maximum of 12 weeks.  Short Term Disability income will not go beyond the date that employees would qualify for Long Term Disability benefits (normally 180 days after the last day worked).
• Is there a waiting period for pre-existing conditions? The Basic Short Term Disability Plan for Classified Staff will have no pre-existing condition waiting period. The Optional Short Term Disability plan will have a provision for pre-existing conditions. Services will be considered pre-existing and not covered during your first 12 months of coverage if you received medical treatment, consultation, care or services including diagnostic measures, or took prescribed drugs or medicines in the three months just prior to your effective date of coverage.
• How do I file a Short Term Disability Claim? First make sure of your accrued leave time.  Remember, except for leave due to childbirth, you must exhaust all of your accrued sick leave and vacation leave before going on Short Term Disability. You can get the Short Term Disability application from Human Resources (222 ADMN, 479-572-2167, or hrbenf@uark.edu). The application is also available from the Benefits Section of Human Resources website (see "How do I....File a disability claim?"). 

The Short Term Disability Application comes in four parts:

• Employee Statement – you complete this part and send to UNUM. You will find UNUM's mailing address and fax number on the application.
• Employee Authorization – complete this form and provide a copy to your attending Physician and send a copy to UNUM with your Employee Statement. 
• Attending Physician Statement – complete Part I of this statement and then give it to your physician or treating provider primarily responsible for your care for them to complete and fax or mail to UNUM.
• Employer Statement – Notify Carol Hill in Human Resources, 479-575-6215 or carolh@uark.edu, that you are applying for Short Term. Be sure to provide Carol with the last day you will work. Carol will complete the Employer Statement and send it directly to UNUM. 

For further questions, contact Benefits at hrbenf@uark.edu.