A common benefit provided by employers is health insurance. Although individual and family health insurance may be offered by your employer, coverage can also be purchased privately. However, premiums tend to be much more expensive when purchased privately. Therefore, it can be a great hardship when an employee becomes unable to work and needs health insurance coverage for ongoing medical treatment. As such, it is important to know the options available to you for health insurance coverage if you become disabled at work.
Instructions
1. Review your benefits package and contact your company’s human resources department. Many employers provide short term disability insurance. A human resource representative can advise you as to whether you have short term disability insurance and if you are eligible to apply for that coverage.
2. Apply for a medical leave of absence from your job. Some employers work with an outside insurance company whose purpose is to review your disability claim. If not, apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). You do not have to be 65 or over to apply for SSDI benefits. If your disability claim is denied by your employer, you can file for SSDI. However, you cannot receive payments from both your employer and SSDI at the same time.
3. Once your disability claim is approved, you can continue health coverage through your employer. Some companies may not require you to contribute toward the premium, but be sure to ask because some may require a contribution. This information can be obtained from a human resource representative in your company. It is important to find out your financial responsibility for the continuation of your coverage and to make timely payments, if applicable.
4. Companies with 50 or more employees provide policies with premiums that cost you less than it would if you were to purchase insurance privately. Generally healthy people may find an insurance plan with a lower premium than those with health problems. Also, if you are married, consider being added to your spouse's policy.
5. If your disability claim is denied, but the cause of your disability is due to an underlying condition, your employer should continue your health insurance coverage. Under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employers are required by law to continue to provide the same level of benefits you would receive if you were able to work for up to 12 weeks per year. However, you must have a serious medical condition for which you are receiving continued treatment by a health care provider.
Tags: your disability, your employer, disability claim, your disability claim, health insurance, health insurance coverage