• From: Ohio
  • Registered: Sat, 18 Apr 2009
  • Posts: 35

Topic: Employer LTD

Hello Everyone!  Hoping some can share their experiences with LTD.  My husband, Russ, has LTD through his employer.  He has been on what I'm thinking they are calling "sick leave" since his final diagnosis April 6th, 2009.  He will continue with this for six months.  Then I am assuming he will need to apply for the LTD with his employer.  I know he will remain on his current health insurance through the initial six months.  If/when he apply's for LTD through his employer, will his health insurance continue?  I"m wondering if he should apply for FMLA after the initial 6 months to secure his health insurance remains in affect for as long as possible.  I'm also wondering if I should go ahead and place him on my insurance at this time through my employer.  I know I should be asking his employer these questions but have little time as I work full time myself.  I would appreciate any experiences that you may have had with LTD.  I've read most of your insurance notations on the board.  Seems like at least our social security system alleviates some of the pitfalls of this horrible disease/experience by processing claims in a timely manner.  These are not questions I thought I would ever be asking.  I feel uneasy having to think about these things.  It's all so unreal. 

Wishing all of you wonderful mommies a beautiful and most glorious Mother's Day! 

Karen

  • Registered: Thu, 16 Nov 2006
  • Posts: 171

Re: Employer LTD

Hi Karen,

I have Long Term Disability insurance through my employer as well. The long term disability doesn't kick in until a certain amount of time.  But I get short term disability payments from my state -- California which goes for one year. The FMLA is a job protected leave which is probably done at this time for your husband. You can probably apply for Social Security disability at this time. Usually the social security people are very helpful.

But all this is different than health insurance.  Your husband's company will stop paying at some point.  It'll be good find out when they will stop paying, and when you are eligible to add your husband to your health insurance.  They usually don't allow changes except in November unless there's an "event" and you don't want any lapse in coverage.

Companies vary in their policies and I would suggest that you call the HR or the disability manager to find out the particulars of yours and your husbands's policy.

I hope this helps.

G

  • Lisa
  • Legend
  • Offline
  • From: Stanwood, WA
  • Registered: Sat, 08 Sep 2007
  • Posts: 813

Re: Employer LTD

I echo what G says - and would also add that looking into adding him to your health insurance may be a wise decision.  I'm on STD right now, and going to have to pay Cobra.

Lisa's Website

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: Sat, 18 Apr 2009
  • Posts: 35

Re: Employer LTD

Thanks G & Lisa,

G...will you be collecting LTD through your employer and SSD at the same time?  As of yet, my husband's employer has not asked him to file any FMLA papers. 

Lisa...When will you begin paying Cobra?  While on STD or if/when you move to LTD?

Good point...I'll have to ask my employer if/when I can add my husband as I think your right...there are only certain times throughout the year we can do this. 

Karen

  • Registered: Thu, 16 Nov 2006
  • Posts: 171

Re: Employer LTD

Hi Karen,

The policy of the LTD is to provide enough coverage so your income becomes 60% of your previous income.  So if you get SSD they would make up any difference between that and the 60%. I was turned down for SSD due to not having had worked continuously the last 10 years. 

Regarding the health insurance, like Lisa, I will end up paying Cobra when my employer stops paying for my health insurance -- one year after I started on disability.  I know that it'll end up being very expensive so it's wonderful that you'll be able to add your husband to your helath insurance policy.

G

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: Sat, 18 Apr 2009
  • Posts: 35

Re: Employer LTD

G,

Thanks for all the helpful information.  I hate that I have to think of these things right now!  Hate It with a passion!

Karen