Other Short-Term Disability Facts
Continuation of Benefits
While you are disabled and receiving STD benefits, you will be eligible to continue medical, dental, and other benefits. Under certain circumstances, you may have to pay the full cost of these benefits. For more information, see your departmental Human Resources Coordinator or call Metro Human Resources.
Case Management
Case managers are professionals who help guide disabled employees through the recovery process so that they can return to work as soon as they are ready. Depending on the nature and length of your disability, you may be assigned a case manager by the insurance carrier while drawing STD benefits.
Case managers do not prescribe or perform medical treatment. Instead, they serve as a critical link between employees and their families, medical care providers, insurance carriers, and Metro. Working closely with all of these groups, the case manager will:
- help coordinate your care
- monitor your treatment and
- facilitate your return to work
Discontinuing Coverage
You may only drop STD coverage during Annual Enrollment or when you have an eligible change in status that would allow you to drop coverage. If you do drop coverage, you will not be able to enroll again until the next Annual Enrollment, unless you have an eligible change in status. For a list of eligible changes in status and instructions for changing your benefit elections, see your departmental Human Resources Coodinator or call Metro Human Resources.
If you drop out and later want to re-enroll, you must provide proof of good health — also called evidence of insurability (EOI) — to be eligible for STD coverage. For more information about EOI, contact the carrier.
NOTE: If you do not enroll in STD insurance when it is first available to you, you will be subject to late enrollment penalty.
Unable to Return to Work
If, at the end of your STD coverage, you are not able to return to work, it is likely that you will be asked to resign. If you resign or are terminated, any remaining vacation days will be paid in a lump-sum or run out at your department’s discretion. Any remaining sick leave may be forfeited or extended at your department’s discretion. If you are vested, any forfeited sick leave will be banked and added to your service credit.