Voluntary Short Term Disability

Optional Short Term Disability (STD) coverage is available at group rates through the Personal Benefits Plan. STD coverage will be available at either 50% of your annual base salary or 66 2/3 % percent of your annual base salary. This strictly optional plan offers significant employee benefits. The maximum monthly benefit cannot exceed $4,000.

STD insurance provides funds to reduce the loss of income that results from disabilities caused by accident or illness. The benefit replaces part of the income that you would have earned had the disability or illness not occurred. You must be prevented from performing the duties of your occupation and be under the regular care and attention of a legally qualified physician to qualify for STD.

Additional Coverage Features:

• STD benefits begin 30 days after the disabling event (after filing a claim) and continue up to 6 months, when your Long Term Disability (that is funded by Baptist Health) may take over.
• There is NO STD payment for the first 30 days of a disability and payments are not retroactive to the first day of your disability.
• If you are new on the STD plan, it will not pay for any *pre-existing condition that results in disability until you have been covered for 12 months or you have been treatment-free for 12 months prior to coverage.
• If STD is a new policy for you, and you are pregnant before the policy effective date, STD will NOT pay because this is a *pre-existing condition.
• You can utilize your PTO and EIB during the 30-day waiting period before STD benefits will be paid.
• STD can be paid in addition to PTO/EIB.
• STD cannot be paid in addition to Worker’s Compensation.
• Disability coverage ends when you are released from a physician’s care even though you may choose to take additional time off in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act.
• Claim forms for STD must be filed in Human Resources within 30 days, with a 90 day limitation, of the disabling event (last day worked).
• For additional information regarding coverage, benefits available, exclusions, etc., - please refer to the STD booklet in the Human Resources office.

* A pre-existing condition is defined as an injury or sickness for which you received treatment, incurred expenses, took medication or received advice from a physician during the 12 month period immediately preceding the effective date of your coverage.