COVID-19 Disability Benefit Updates for Employers
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With the coronavirus outbreak officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, employers and employees are justifiably concerned. With business disruption on the horizon, employers are looking to their existing benefits packages for support.
With the coronavirus outbreak officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, employers and employees are justifiably concerned. With business disruption on the horizon, employers are looking to their existing benefits packages for support.
Short Term Disability Products (Fully-Insured): Short Term Disability (STD) covers individuals who are unable to perform the duties of their occupations because they are injured or sick. If a person is diagnosed with coronavirus, Short Term Disability would likely cover someone after the elimination period if the aforementioned description has been met. Individuals who are quarantined without a diagnosis and not sick generally would not have payable claims under Short Term Disability.
Reference the chart below for information on how some insurance carriers are responding to ensure employees are supported through the pandemic.
COVID-19 and Fully-Insured Short-Term Disability | Is Corona virus (COVID-19) covered by your traditional STD plans? | Is it covered the same as other illness or differently (if differently, how)? | Are there any claims filing differences for Corona vs other illnesses? | If a covered employee is not sick, but due to a quarantine they cannot work, is there a STD benefit for them? (assuming the quarantine is causing a drop in income) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Standard | Yes | The same | No | Possibly, if the employee is a healthcare provider - evaluated on a case by case basis |
MetLife | Yes | The same | No | No |
Unum | Yes | The same | No | Generally, no |
Guardian | Yes | The same | No | Some STD policies have a Quarantine Benefit Rider |
Reliance Standard | Yes | The same | No | No |
Mutual of Omaha | Yes | The same | No | No |
The Hartford | Only if the employee was unable to perform the essential duties of their job due to the sickness | The same | No | No |
COVID-19 and Voluntary Benefits | Is this covered under Hospital Indemnity like any other illness? | How is this covered under Critical Illness if at all? | If an Accident plan has a sickness rider, could benefits be paid? | Any enhancements, exclusions we should know about? | Is the claim filing process any different? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Standard | Yes | If it causes Organ Failure | Accident plans do not offer Sickness Riders | None | No |
MetLife | Yes | Not covered | Could be eligible | None | No |
Unum | Yes | May be covered under the new policy's Infectious Disease Rider | Could be eligible | None | No |
Guardian | Yes | If it causes Organ Failure | There is a Hospital Confinement Rider that is available in most states | None | No |
Reliance Standard | Yes | If it causes Organ Failure | Accident plans do not offer Sickness Riders | None | No |
Mutual of Omaha | Does not offer Hospital Indemnity | Diagnosis of coronavirus alone is not covered | Accident Plans do not include a sickness rider | None | No |
For more information about the services that are being offered by our carrier partners, visit our OneDigital Coronavirus Advisory Hub, or reach out to your local OneDigital advisory team.
Disclaimer: Policy benefits may vary by state and individual contract. Please view your policies to get the best and accurate information regarding your coverage. Many state and federal governments and departments of insurance are in the process of providing guidance and direction for employers in response to the current situation. These developments will influence changes to coverage.