How to Manage Short Term Disability Claims

Short-term disability is a form of insurance that pays a percentage, typically 50 percent to 75 percent, of your salary/wages when you are unable to work due to a medical condition. Short-term disability is designed to provide coverage for a relatively short time (i.e. up to six months) until the individual is able to return to work. It is necessary to follow the proper procedure and submit the claim within the designated time frame or else you risk having your disability claim denied.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact your human resources department to discover what the time frame is for submitting a short-term disability claim. Typically, the claim must be submitted within 10 days of onset of the disability, but this varies between workplaces and insurance providers. Also, obtain all of the necessary forms that must be submitted from your HR department.

• 2

  Submit all requested forms within the designated time frame. If you fax the forms, save a copy of the "Fax transmission confirmation" statement as evidence that it was submitted before the deadline. Make sure that these forms include the name, address, phone number and fax number for the physician that diagnosed you with a disability. Make sure that you also write down the correct information for your company's HR department, including the specific HR contact that typically handles short-term disability issues.

• 3

  Follow up with the insurance provider and HR department on a regular basis until the claim is approved. If you do not receive a response within three days of submitting the claim, you should make contact with HR and the insurance provider to check on the status. Confirm that all parties received all necessary documentation required for processing your short-term disability claim.