Short-term disability is a cost-effective way to help protect your income when you are unable to work due to injury or illness, including pregnancy.
This new voluntary insurance product is offered by the university and provided by MetLife.
With short-term disability insurance, you can:
- Elect to receive up to 60% of your earnings
- Start receiving benefits after 0 days (accident) or 7 days (sickness)
The short-term disability policy provides coverage for employees only – there is no coverage for spouses or children.
The maximum duration of the benefit is 13 weeks, which provides coverage until the university's long-term disability coverage may apply.
MetLife Short-Term Disability Plan Documents
Eligibility
Regular, benefits eligible faculty, staff, and house staff are eligible to enroll.
| Age Band | 0 - 24 | 25 - 29 | 30 - 34 | 35 - 39 | 40 - 44 | 45 - 49 | 50 - 54 | 55 - 59 | 60 - 64 | 65 + |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age Band Rate per $100 Monthly Benefit | $1.060 | $1.110 | $1.140 | $1.030 | $1.110 | $1.350 | $1.680 | $2.060 | $2.440 | $2.930 |
How to Calculate Your Monthly Premium Cost
Your Monthly Premium = Monthly benefit amount multiplied by the Rate for Age Band divided by 100.
Example:
You are 43 years old and wish to elect a $1,000 monthly benefit. The monthly cost for a 43-year-old is $1.110.$1,000 x $1.110 ÷ 100 = $11.10 per month
Real-Life Leave Scenarios
Understanding how leave benefits work together can feel overwhelming when you are managing a health concern or planning time away from work. The examples below show common situations that demonstrate how paid time off, short‑term disability benefits, Family and Medical Leave Act protections, and other leave programs may apply. These examples are meant to help you see how the benefits process works in everyday situations so you can plan your time away from work with confidence.
New Employee
Jen has 3 weeks of paid time off accrued when she gives birth to her child. She is not eligible for FMLA or IPPL (Iowa Paid Parental Leave). Her healthcare provider states she is medically disabled from work for 6 weeks following the birth. She uses her 3 weeks of paid time off and files a short-term disability claim. She receives short-term disability payments for weeks 4-6.
Non-FMLA
Lee has a 50% benefit eligible appointment and has not worked enough hours to be eligible for FMLA. He fell down the stairs at home, broke his ankle and needs surgery. He will be off work for 8 weeks. He has 6 weeks of paid time off accrued. After the use of his 6 weeks of paid time off, he can receive STD payments for the remaining two weeks until he is cleared to return to work.
FMLA
Ned needs a hip replacement, which will require 6 weeks off work following surgery. Ned has 10 weeks of paid time off accrued to use during his recovery period and absence from work. Since he will be receiving 100% of his salary using paid time off, he will not be eligible for short-term disability benefits. Ned did decide to enroll in short-term disability benefits since his paid time off balances will be depleted following his surgery.
FMLA and IPPL
Pat gives birth to twins via cesarean section, is medically disabled for 8 weeks, and requests 12 weeks of leave. Pat has 10 weeks of paid time off accrued and is eligible for FMLA, which means she is also eligible for IPPL (Iowa Paid Parental Leave) providing 4 additional weeks of paid time off.
While STD will not benefit Pat in this situation, because she has enough paid time off to cover her period of medical disability, she enrolled in short-term disability because she knew she would be exhausting her paid time off following her maternity leave. She wanted to ensure she had income protection if she experienced another medical leave before she was able to build up her paid time off accruals.
Cat Leave
Kari is a new employee who will be off work for 2 weeks for a medical condition. She has no paid time off accrued. She enrolled in short-term disability as an employee but also heard about the catastrophic leave program and was wondering if she would be eligible for that program.
Kari read on the website that your illness or injury must result in absence from work for at least 30 workdays to be eligible for catastrophic leave. She submitted a claim for short-term disability benefits instead.
**Use of paid time off can refer to accruals such as sick leave, vacation, compensatory time, etc.
How to Enroll
Submit enrollment elections through the online enrollment system in Employee Self-Service.
- Coverage options are displayed in $100 increments, ranging from $400 to $5,000 per month.
- All coverage amounts will appear in the drop-down menu, even if you are not eligible to elect certain amounts based on your total earnings.
- Your elected benefit cannot exceed 60% of your monthly pre-disability earnings.
Coverage will begin on the first day of the month following your hire or newly eligible date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Submit A Claim
Ready to file your Short-Term Disability (STD) claim? Visit the Resources section for step-by-step instructions to submit your claim online or by phone.
How Short-Term Disability Works
Do I have to use my paid time off before I can receive short-term disability benefits?
Short-term disability benefits do not change how the University applies absence policies.
Yes. Short-term disability (STD) benefits are designed to replace part of your income when you do not have enough paid time off available. If you receive your full regular pay through sick leave, vacation, compensatory time, or other paid leave, STD benefits may not be payable for the same period.
Employees are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate University leave office to determine how their available paid time off (e.g., FMLA, IPPL, Vacation, and Sick Leave) applies to their situation.
University Campus Employee:
- Faculty and Staff Disability Services (FSDS)
Phone: 319-335-2660
Email: fsds@uiowa.edu
Office: 121-20 University Services Building (USB)
UI Health Care Employee:
- UI Health Care Leave and Disability Administration (LDA) Office
Phone: 319-356-2122
Email: UIHC-LDA@uiowa.edu
Office: C-109 GH
Are there any plan exclusions?
Yes. Like most insurance plans, STD coverage has some exclusions and limitations. Review the plan documents for a complete list of conditions and situations that are not covered.
The following are plan exclusions:
A benefit will not be paid for any disability caused or contributed to by:
- War, whether declared or undeclared, or an act of war, insurrection, rebellion, or terrorist act
- Active participation in a riot
- Intentionally self-inflicted injury
- Attempted suicide
- Commission of or attempt to commit a felony
- Any injury or illness for which the employee is eligible to receive benefits under Workers’ Compensation or a similar law
A benefit will not be paid for any disability caused or contributed to by elective treatment or procedures such as:
- Cosmetic surgery or treatment primarily to change appearance
- Reversal of sterilization
- Liposuction
- Visual correction surgery
- In vitro fertilization, embryo transfer procedure, or artificial insemination.
Are there limits on pre-existing conditions?
Yes. A pre-existing condition is an illness, injury, or medical condition you received treatment for before your coverage began. The plan includes rules about when benefits may be available for these conditions. Refer to the plan documents for details.
Is mental illness covered?
Yes. Mental health conditions may be covered if they meet the plan's definition of a disability and are supported by the required medical documentation.
How do I file a claim?
You can file a claim directly with MetLife online or by phone. Once your claim is submitted, MetLife will review the information and determine whether you qualify for benefits.
How are disability benefits paid?
If MetLife approves your claim, it will issue benefit payments directly to you. Benefits are based on the monthly amount you elected and your approved disability period. Benefit checks are paid weekly. Your weekly benefit will be determined by multiplying the monthly benefit by 12, then dividing by 52.
MetLife short-term disability premiums are paid after‑tax. Because you pay short-term disability premiums after tax, when you receive disability payments, taxes will not be withheld.
Is the 13-week benefit maximum per illness or injury, or per year?
The 13-week maximum applies to each approved disability claim. Claim decisions are based on the terms of the plan and the medical information provided.
If an employee returns to work for 30 days or less and then becomes disabled again due to the same or related condition, it is treated as part of the original disability, and no new benefit period is created.
When does the 13-week benefit period begin?
The benefit period begins after you meet the required waiting period and your claim is approved.
This period does not include the elimination (waiting) period. For sickness (including pregnancy), the 7‑day elimination period begins on the first day the employee is medically disabled. STD benefits begin accruing the day after the elimination period ends. The 13‑week maximum benefit period starts when benefits begin, not on the first day of disability.
What coverage is provided for pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions?
Pregnancy and pregnancy-related medical conditions may be covered when they result in a medically necessary absence from work. Benefits are subject to the terms of the plan and approval by MetLife.
Pregnancy and pregnancy‑related complications are considered a sickness under the STD plan. STD benefits are payable only for the period during which an employee is medically disabled and unable to work, as certified by a healthcare provider. This is usually six weeks for a vaginal delivery and eight weeks for a cesarean section.
Enrollment and Coverage
Who is eligible to enroll?
Regular benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and house staff may enroll in short-term disability insurance. Eligibility requirements are determined by the university and the plan.
When can I enroll or make changes to my coverage?
You may enroll or make changes when you first become eligible as a new hire or newly eligible for benefits, during annual enrollment periods, or when you experience a qualifying life event that allows a change under plan rules.
How do I pay for my short-term disability insurance?
Premiums are paid through payroll deduction. You pay the full cost of coverage.
Can I use university credits to pay for my short-term disability premium?
No. University credits, including general credits or shared savings credits, cannot be used to pay for short-term disability premiums.
MetLife short-term disability premiums are paid with after-tax dollars. By paying short-term disability premiums after tax, when you receive disability payments, taxes will not be withheld.
Can I change my coverage amount?
Yes, if you are eligible to make a coverage change. You can typically make changes during annual enrollment or after a qualifying life event. If you change your election by more than $100, you will need to complete a statement of health (evidence of insurability).
What happens to my coverage when I leave university employment?
Your coverage ends at the end of the month in which you terminate. Contact University Benefits if you have questions about your coverage end date or any continuation options that may be available.
