oldnavy170
Board Addict
Reged: 05/12/03
Posts: 357
Loc: New York
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Is short-term disability run differently by each company you work for? Do they have to go by the same regulations?
I am going to have my gall bladder taken out and since I am part-time I don't have any sick time and I was thinking about going on short-term disability. I called work and they told me that I don't get paid for the first 5 days that I am off but get paid for any day off there on after that.
Does anyone here know any thing about short-term disability?
Thanks.
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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In addition to the period of time you must go without pay (for me it was 3 days) they also only pay you something like 2/3 of your standard wages. You definitely do not get 100% of your wages while on disability. Check with your HR department.
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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lastyls
Member
Reged: 05/25/03
Posts: 191
Loc: Usa
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Very true,,,,,,you get a 'portion' of your regular pay. If you can't find your disability paper's just go to your employer and find out. And on another note, gallbladder surgery now adays, is pretty easy to recooperate from. I know people out of work for maybe 3 days! So you end up not 'meeting' your 'deductible' of your 5 day time anyway. I guess it depends on your Dr. how long he will 'write you out.' Let us know!
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lastyls
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oldnavy170
Board Addict
Reged: 05/12/03
Posts: 357
Loc: New York
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I know that its almost an in and out surgery but I just can't stand to loose that pay. If I'm not at work than I don't get paid. I was hoping that I could go on short-term disability for a week and that way I would get 80% of my pay. Oh thats what it is in New York. Something is better than nothing.
I just don't understand why you have to be off a week before you can collect on disability.
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lastyls
Member
Reged: 05/25/03
Posts: 191
Loc: Usa
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It's just like all the other 'suck you dry' insurance! You pay on the insurance(s) of all types and then they make it VERY hard to collect when you need to 'redeem' some of all that you've paid! And like you, your position, you have to wait a week b4 they pay and unfortunately, you may not even be out a week!
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lastyls
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Greycie
Old Hand
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 477
Loc: Pacific NorthWest
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Ouch! Suck you dry? Lol. Sorry, on behalf of those of us working for an insurance company (specifically disability) I have to tell you- we are duty-bound to uphold the contract that your EMPLOYER purchased. I know it's easier to point the finger at the insurance company, but your employer has the option of buying better benefits. And for the record, it is MUCH easier to approve a claim than it is to deny one- if I had my way, I'd approve them all.
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"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
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Helene
Member
Reged: 02/26/04
Posts: 125
Loc: Pennsylvania
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Hi,
I was on STD from Sept, 03 to Feb, 04. I am a full time employee. When I was hired, (and every other year since), we must renew our medicial insurance. We also have the option of choosing what percentage of our pay we would like if we would need long or short term disability. We could choose 60 or 70% of our pay. I chose 60% for STD, and 70% for LTD. The problem arises when you actually need the disability. You better hope your company has a good insurance group. I got a check a week for 4 weeks. I had no problem getting my employer or my DR. to send in necessary paperwork. What I didn't know was that these insurance companies review your cases on a monthly basis. This can take anywhere from 3 to 5 working days. If the Dr. words something incorrectly, you won't get a check, and the insurance co. dosen't notify you to tell you that you won't be getting one either!! I went from october till the day after xmas without a check, and I have two little ones at home. I had to go on welfare. All because my Dr. said I could go back to work "light duty" which was not available in the department I work. But the insurance co. felt they should not pay because the Dr. said I could work. What a mess!!!!! I spent more time on the phone between the Dr's office, my employer, and the insurance co. than you could possibly imagine. I'm supposed to be recovering from a very severe injury, and not having to worry about when I'm going to see my next check. Anyway, I finally got it straingtened out, but not in time for xmas. I have since found out that many people have had the same problems with this insurance group. I was encouraged to write a letter, complaining about this group (which I did). Hopefully they will be replaced. Hopefully I won't ever have to go on STD again, as long as I live.
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mariav
Enthusiast
Reged: 09/10/03
Posts: 206
Loc: New York
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Old Navy, I see you live in NY. So do I. Yes, you do have to to be out of work as least a week before you are eligble for disability and you collect $170.00 a week regardless of if you make $10,000.00 or $100,000.00 a year. Good Luck.
P.s. They take taxes out of that too. 80% of your wages is if you are collecting workers comp.
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oldnavy170
Board Addict
Reged: 05/12/03
Posts: 357
Loc: New York
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Wow Helene, I'm sorry to hear that. Its a scary thought when you have to have surgery and also take care of yourself and children and go without a paycheck also!!!!!! What kind of world do we live in????!!!!!
Being that I only work a part-time job I don't have any medical insurance, sick time, vacation days, or anything.
I never call in sick because I can't afford to call in sick.
I am a divorced mother of 3 children and I just don't know how I am going to handle loosing a week of pay.
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oldnavy170
Board Addict
Reged: 05/12/03
Posts: 357
Loc: New York
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OH, I finally got health insurance thru the state about a month ago.
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mariav
Enthusiast
Reged: 09/10/03
Posts: 206
Loc: New York
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Old Navy, I'm a single mom too, so I know how you feel. If I ever had to go on disability I don't know what I;d do. I have no one to support me through any crisis. Luckily for these boards, I;m able to manage my pain, otherwise I'd probably be having to take time off from work as well. I don't know how it is in other states but in NY short term disability (3 months or less), is paid at the same rate for everyone.!!! You have to be out for at least five days, and they usually make you use all sick time, etc. before you can collect. If your only out a week, you wont collect. And then, it may take up to 4 weeks to receive a check. Sorry for the bad news, just giving you the reality of it all.
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Greycie
Old Hand
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 477
Loc: Pacific NorthWest
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Helene,
The problems you experienced with your insurance company are exclusive to the insurance carrier your employer chose. It is not common practice for a company not to inform you that your claim has been or will be closed. In fact, they are SUPPOSED to inform you prior to it closing so that you have advanced warning. What I will say is that, again, when dealing with disability, your doctor sees you in person and can see easily what is wrong with you. Insurance carriers are relying on paper and the written word to base their decision. If your doctor was not throrough and said you could return to "light work" which, on our forms is one of the questions you can select, and your occupation is sedentary, then you should be able to return to work. Rather than saying "light-duty- own occupation with modified duties" or specifying part time, we can only assume he meant what he indicated, that you could go back to work. Please do not feel all insurance companies are the same, they are not. Nor is everybody's benefit the same merely because they live in the same state (*unless*, it's State Disability as opposed to a private
std/ltd policy, in which case, State Disability has a whole different set of rules). Let me reiterate that your policy is one that your employer chose- as are the benefits provided under it. We are merely duty-bound to uphold the contract your employer purchased as it is written. Additionally, whether you live in New York or Washington, if your employer selects a 50% benefit, that's what you will be eligible for, whereas, if they choose a 75% (this IS rare) benefit, this is the amount you receive.
I'm sorry you had such a horrible experience and especially over Christmas time.
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"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
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Caveman6666
Enthusiast
Reged: 01/15/03
Posts: 218
Loc: Earth
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Maybe you can find some info here:
http://www.otda.state.ny.us/
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caramello51
Board Addict
Reged: 09/29/02
Posts: 311
Loc: Alaska
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in my experience insurance companies suck u dry, then raise your rates. get real. maybe because u work in insurance u have not experienced the reality of these totally for profit companies? i'd have been better off saving the money that i've paid into the pockets of insurance companies. and that includes ALL insurance companies. 
if u can give me the name of a health insurance that I can afford, (i am unemployed) without having to have a $5000 deductible, i'd sure appreciate it.
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Greycie
Old Hand
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 477
Loc: Pacific NorthWest
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I don't work for a health insurance company and I'm sorry you've had negative experiences with insurance companies. My experience has proven to me that insurance is your best friend... but(!) the right kind of insurance. Don't buy an insurance policy just to have one. Read what you're getting and more importantly, what you won't be getting. Specifically, what is going to be excluded... this will tell you before you throw away your money whether this policy would be beneficial to you or not.
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"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
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caramello51
Board Addict
Reged: 09/29/02
Posts: 311
Loc: Alaska
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Quote:
Ouch! Suck you dry? Lol. Sorry, on behalf of those of us working for an insurance company (specifically disability)
am i reading this the wrong way? to me it sounds like you are working for an insurance company.  i have researched insurance plans. there is none that i can afford that actually pay for ANYTHING. so i am basically throwing money into a black hole in the hopes that my children will not go into debt for the rest of their lives if i happen to get into an accident, or get cancer, or something catastrophic. and even if these things happen it is my own personal belief that the insurance company will manage to weasel out of paying for what it is sposed to. yes, i am very bitter about 'insurance' companies.
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Greycie
Old Hand
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 477
Loc: Pacific NorthWest
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No, you're not reading that wrong- however, I work for an insurance company which specializes in short-term disability (which this thread was about), long-term disability and life insurance. We do not carry health insurance.
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"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
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Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/03/02
Posts: 1261
Loc: Southwest U.S.
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Debts are paid out of the estate. The taxman always has first dibs. Heirs can inherit money and other things, but they can't inherit your debts unless they're partners with you in some kind of business.
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Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/03/02
Posts: 1261
Loc: Southwest U.S.
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Quote:
In addition to the period of time you must go without pay (for me it was 3 days) they also only pay you something like 2/3 of your standard wages. You definitely do not get 100% of your wages while on disability. Check with your HR department.
Yeah, but it's usually tax free.
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Greycie
Old Hand
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 477
Loc: Pacific NorthWest
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Whether or not it's tax free depends on who paid the premiums and whether it was with pre-tax or post-tax dollars. If you paid all of your premiums, then it is tax free. However, if your employer paid for the premiums or you paid with pre-tax dollars, it is 100% taxable.
This is regarding a disability policy and in no way do I speak in regards to State Disability, SSD or any other type of disability for which I claim no knowledge outside of what I have personal experience with.
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"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
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caramello51
Board Addict
Reged: 09/29/02
Posts: 311
Loc: Alaska
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well that's one less thing i have to worry about then... thanx. 
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