Short Term Disability
Below is a summary of Central Michigan University's short term disability (STD) plan. For full details, please reference the short term disability plan booklet.
*Effective July 1, 2024, Unum will become the vendor for CMU’s disability insurance plans (replacing The Hartford).
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
Benefits begin | 45 calendar days or the exhaustion of accrued sick leave time, whichever is longer, benefits begin the day after this elimination period is completed. |
| Definition of disability | Total disability or totally disabled means that you are prevented by: 1) injury; 2) sickness; 3) mental illness; 4) substance abuse; or 5) pregnancy; from performing the essential duties of your occupation, and as a result, you are earning 20% or less of your pre-disability earnings. If you are in an occupation that requires you to maintain a license, your failure to pass a physical examination required to maintain a license to perform the duties of your occupation alone, does not mean that you are disabled form your occupation. |
| Partial disability | Allows you to return to work while disabled. |
| Percent benefit | You must choose one benefit level: 50% of weekly earnings (subject to a maximum benefit of $900/per week); or 67% of weekly earnings (subject to a maximum benefit of $1,200/per week); or no coverage. Payment may be reduced by other deductible sources of income. |
| Maximum period of payment | 135 days. |
| Taxes | The amount that you collect in short term disability benefits is considered taxable income upon receipt since short term disability benefit coverage is being purchased with pre-tax dollars. |
| Evidence of insurability | No evidence of insurability for newly hired employees who apply for coverage when they first become eligible. Employees who choose to pick up coverage or increase coverage at open enrollment or family status change will need to complete an evidence of insurability application. |
| Not covered | Disabilities due to an occupational sickness or injury. |
| Reinstatement | If your coverage ends because you are no longer employed by CMU or no longer in an eligible class; and you are rehired or return to an eligible class within 24 months of the date your coverage ended; then coverage may be reinstated, provided you request such reinstatement within 31 days of the date you return to work or to an eligible class. You will not have to go through evidence of insurability (EOI) or be subject to the waiting period. |
| Increasing coverage | If an employee increases their short term disability coverage after initial enrollment, evidence of insurability (EOI) is needed. |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $25.00. |
Short term disability FAQs
How do I file a short term disability claim?
Employees can file a telephonic short term disability by calling 866-443-9309. Have the following information ready when you call:
• Your name and address
• Employer Name (Central Michigan University)
• Policy Number (675705)
• Last day of active full-time work
• Nature of your claim
• Treating physician information (name, address, phone and fax numbers)
Is there an offset to my short term disability if I am eligible to receive sick leave or vacation pay?
If you are receiving any type of paid time off income, disability payments will be offset by the income received from the other paid time sources.
If I have an individual short term disability policy through an independent broker, will there be an offset?
If you are eligible for payments from a non-CMU disability plan, it will not be an offset to your university benefit, unless it's an association plan.
Can I switch between short term disability plans at open enrollment?
You may change your elections at each open enrollment or when you have a qualifying status change.
If you are enrolling in short term disability for the first time (after initial offer when a new hire), or if you are increasing your coverage from 50% to 67% for short term disability, you will be required to complete an evidence of insurability (EOI) online application.