Long-Term Disability

Faculty and staff who hold a qualifying appointment of at least 50% FTE are eligible for this benefit at no cost. The university pays 100% of the premiums, so there is no direct contribution by you. You are eligible for LTD on day one of your employment with Ohio State.

Pre-Existing Conditions

No benefits are paid for a disability that is due to a pre-existing condition. Under the plan, a “pre­ existing condition” refers to any injury, sickness, mental illness, substance abuse or pregnancy that began before you were insured.

You have a pre-existing condition if:

• You received medical treatment, consultation, care or services or took prescribed drugs or medicines in the three months prior to your coverage effective date, and
• The disability begins in the first 12 months after your coverage effective date unless you have been treatment-free for three consecutive months after your coverage effective date.

Situations when you should file a long-term disability claim include:

• Your physician has determined you are unable to work due to an illness, injury or medical condition and has estimated you will be off work longer than 90 calendar days.
• You have an existing short-term disability claim and are not expected to return to work within 90 calendar days. In this case, a new claim does not need to be filed, because a long-term disability review will be completed in order to determine ongoing eligibility.

Steps to filing a long-term disability claim:

• Call Unum at the toll-free number listed below to initiate a claim.
• The following information is required to initiate a claim:
  • Policy number 121156
  • Physician’s name, address, fax and phone number
  • Brief description of your medical condition, including date of injury or beginning of illness and whether it is work-related
  • Dates of your first, most recent and next scheduled doctor’s appointments
  • Last day worked, first day absent from work and date you expect to return to work
  • Work restrictions provided by your physician
• Notify your physician that you have filed a disability claim and that medical records will be requested by Unum.
• Fax or mail a copy of the signed Unum Authorization and Ohio State Authorization forms to Unum at the fax number listed below.
• Contact HR Connection at 614-247-myHR (6947) for questions related to disability plan coverage, other Ohio State benefits, coordination of medical leave and return to work.

Prompt and complete information from you and your physician will help assure a timely decision and payment if you are eligible.

Unum
Phone: (866) 245-3013
Fax: (800) 447-2498
M-F: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EST

When you are on an approved leave of absence, you may be eligible to continue some or all of your university benefits. More information about continued benefit coverage during an approved leave of absence can be found on the Leaves of Absence page.

Eligibility

Faculty Group Practice Long Term Disability (FGP LTD) provides income protection for physicians previously employed by OSU Physicians, Inc. (OSUP) who became employed by The Ohio State University on or after July 1, 2011.

Benefit

Upon an approved claim, FGP LTD coverage provides 60% of your regular monthly pay based on your FGP associated earnings up to a maximum of $10,000 per month.

File a Claim

Follow the above procedure for filing a claim. The FGP LTD Policy number is 210818.

Faculty and staff with a qualifying appointment of at least 50% FTE, and earning a base salary of $100,000 or more will have an opportunity to enroll in a Supplemental Individual Disability Insurance (IDI) plan. These individualized plans provide additional coverage over and above the university’s long-term disability plan. The benefit is available on a voluntary basis, and premiums will be paid through post-tax payroll deductions.

Eligible faculty and staff will be provided information about this individual coverage during a special open enrollment period each spring.

Faculty and staff with questions about their existing IDI policy should contact the OSU Supplemental Disability Enrollment Center directly at 877-236-3073 or aonidi@aon.com.

A Return to Work Release Form is required in order to return to work following your FML or medical leave for your own serious health condition. Integrated Absence Management and Vocational Services staff in the Office of Human Resources, who assist with disability benefits and leave services, may coordinate with your physician and department to develop return-to-work and remain-at-work goals and expectations. This may include the identification of temporary transitional work placements in accordance with the Transitional Work Policy based on your skills, restrictions and departmental needs.

You must also request your return from leave in Workday.

It’s important for you to be familiar with Ohio State’s leave policies. If you are unable to return to work, please review these policies, including the Family and Medical Leave Policy and Unpaid Leave Policy. Classified Civil Service (CCS) employees should also review Rules for CCS Chapter 73: Leave Policies related to unpaid leaves and disability separation. Additional information is also available at CCS Disability Separation.

Integrated Absence Management and Vocational Services staff in the Office of Human Resources, who coordinate disability benefits and leave services, can assist you with referrals to other benefits and resources that you may be eligible to receive, including, but not limited to, OPERS disability retirement, STRS disability retirement and Social Security benefits.