Long Term Disability Plan

Lesley provides all benefits-eligible employees a group long-term disability (LTD) insurance program offered by CIGNA Group Insurance. LTD insurance begins the first day of the month after you are actively employed if you have completed the required enrollment forms. LTD benefits are meant to partially replace your income you cannot perform the material and substantial duties of your job for a period due to extended illness or injury. The elimination period - the amount of time you must be out of work before benefits begin - is 90 days. If you have an extended injury or illness on either a part- or full-time basis and are considering applying for LTD, you should contact your human resources representative. Human Resources will provide you with additional information, including the contact at CIGNA so that you may file your claim telephonically.  After your initial claim has been filed, your CIGNA case manager will reach out to Human Resources to obtain and necessary information, such as job description, pay stubs, and effective dates, if needed.  CIGNA will evaluate the claim and make a decision as to whether you qualify to receive LTD payments. Please refer to the CIGNA summary plan description booklet, available in Human Resources, for more information.

Benefit Levels

If approved, CIGNA will pay a monthly LTD benefit up to 60 percent of your monthly earnings. Regular monthly earnings do not include stipends, overtime payments, or other forms of extra compensation. The maximum monthly benefit that you can receive from CIGNA is $9,000.  Again, LTD benefits begin after the 90-day elimination period has been completed.

Length of Benefit Payment

Benefits are paid up to a maximum period determined by the age at which the disability began. Note that monthly LTD benefits can cease if it is determined by CIGNA and/or your physician determine that you are no longer partially or fully disabled or, if you do not provide proof that you are partially or fully disabled when requested by CIGNA.

Employee Eligibility

All benefits-eligible employees of Lesley University can participate in the LTD and life insurance programs. Employees are considered eligible if they are regularly scheduled to work at least seventeen and one half hours per week. Additionally, a temporary employee who works at least seventeen and one half hours per week and is scheduled to work nine months or longer is considered an eligible employee. Work study students and adjunct faculty are not eligible for benefits. Eligible employees may participate in these plans the first day of the month following the date of hire, providing that the appropriate enrollment form(s) have been completed. Coverage ends on the last day of employment. LTD and life insurance are not offered to dependents of employees and/or spouses.

Cost

Lesley University pays the entire cost of the LTD insurance premium. Therefore, there are no costs associated with enrollment in this benefit.

If your claim is approved, you will be responsible for the employer and employee cost of health and dental premiums and any increase thereafter for a period not to exceed two years. You must notify Human Resources of the continuation or discontinuation of any benefits.