Long-Term Disability Insurance

Purpose: To provide eligible faculty and staff with long-term disability insurance.

Policy Statement: Staff who work at least 30 hours per week on a regular (not temporary) basis faculty with at least .75 FTE are eligible to enroll in the long-term disability plan. Employees who enroll in the long-term disability insurance plan are subject to eligibility rules and benefits outlined in the plan document. The College pays the premium for basic coverage; additional insurance to reduce the waiting period is available to non-exempt employees at the employee's expense.

Procedures:

1. Upon hire, benefit eligible faculty and staff will receive a benefits summary containing information about premiums and benefit coverage of available long-term disability insurance plans, the applicable enrollment deadline, information on how to get assistance. Non-exempt employees will also receive information on the buy-down of the waiting period.

2. New employees will be provided an opportunity to attend a benefits orientation session in which the long-term disability insurance plan, optional insurance, enrollment procedures, deadlines, and other related information will be presented. Enrollment forms will be provided.

3. Correctly completed enrollment materials, if applicable, must be turned in to the Office of Human Resources within 31 days of date of hire. Coverage begins on the first day of the month following date of hire.

4. Non-exempt employees may choose to purchase optional insurance, which reduces the waiting period before benefits would be received in the event of disability. Applications for optional insurance may be made within 31 days of hire with no additional approval required. Applications received after the initial enrollment period are subject to underwriting approval. Employee contributions are deducted from the paycheck at the end of the month for the next month's coverage.

5. Employees may choose to discontinue optional insurance at any time by notifying Human Resources in writing.

6. Employees who take an unpaid leave of absence or who work less than 12 months per year must make arrangements in advance with the Human Resource office to pay for optional benefits or insurance coverage will be discontinued.

Approved by the Executive Council, June 24, 1992.
Revised on May 31, 2002.
Revised on June 4, 2008.