short term through employer

mamajencoz

So I've been on short term disability since march 4, 2015 when i had my mastomecty. The original surgeon said I'd be off work 4-6weeks. I have been approved for short term dis. through the 6 weeks. My question is I do not qualify for fmla for my short time with the company.  Will short term disability continue through my chemotherapy. Even partial short term dis or is the original claim only for the surgery. And I saw my surgeon last week for my follow up appointment and she referred me to physical therapy and oncologist so WHO will handle my release to return to work? I won't see my surgeon for 6 months now. I'm confussed over all of this. Any insight would be GREAT 

SpecialK

Short Term Disability usually has an end point - mine was 12 weeks.  I had employee elected (I paid the premiums) STD, and employer paid Long Term Disability, so the LTD kicked in as the STD ended.  My FMLA ran concurrently with the STD - both ended at 12 weeks, so my employer arranged an ADA accommodation to allow me to stay out.  I had five surgeries prior to chemo so had burned through the 12 week STD/FMLA.  You should contact your HR folks and ask what the time frame for STD is - it is not likely to last through chemo unless it is a lengthy plan, and you would need a recertification from the oncologist justifying the need to extend your time off, as your surgeon put your return to work at 6 weeks. Whether or not you go to PT may not exclude a return to work if your surgeon feels you are able - many people work and have PT simultaneously.  If your surgeon feels that you are unable to return to work he would need to possibly recertify your STD for a period to exceed the 6 weeks, or turn the extension responsibility over to your oncologist.  Will your employer allow you to remain off work beyond the 6 weeks, seeing as you are not protected by FMLA? 

mamajencoz

Yes my boss is holding my position for me to return. And Std can run up to 26 weeks at 60% of my pay.  I just didn't know if STD would cover the chemo if the original STD claim was for me to be off for the mastectomy surgery. 

BrooksideVT

If you find you need to continue on STD during all or some of chemo, your MO will need to complete additional disability paperwork as chemo will take you beyond the six weeks surgical recovery. Benefits-wise, your disability carrier will treat it a single disability.

SpecialK

Just have your oncologist use the day after the end date your surgeon used as the start date for their certification and your STD should continue uninterrupted.  Ask your HR department for a new form and have your onc fill it out as if it is a new STD claim.