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COVID-19 Questions About Individual Disability Insurance

Updated July 31, 2020

For Individual Policyowners

Claims

Will my IDI policy pay benefits if I’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19?

If you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 and you meet the definition of disability in your policy, you will likely be eligible for benefits if your disability extends beyond the waiting period. IDI benefit waiting periods generally extend beyond a quarantine period. Being quarantined, furloughed or unable to work due to COVID-19 concerns, without a disability, wouldn’t qualify for benefits.

Will my IDI policy pay benefits if I can’t work — or close my business — due to COVID-related stay-at-home orders issued by the government, my employer or my physician?

You must have a qualifying disability, as defined by your policy to receive benefits. Being quarantined, furloughed or unable to work due to COVID-19 concerns, without a disability, wouldn’t qualify for benefits.

Does my policy with The Standard have a pandemic-specific exclusion?

No, we evaluate COVID-19 as we would any other medical condition.

Billing and Payment

I’m unable to work due to impacts from COVID-19. Do I still have to pay my premiums?

Yes. For premium due dates after July 31, 2020, premium must be paid within the policy’s normal 31-day grace period. The 60-day extension to the 31-day grace period is no longer in effect after July 31, 2020, except for policies affected by any individual state insurance directives requiring more time.

Can I suspend my policy during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Platinum Advantage policies, and Protector PlatinumSM policies in New York, may be suspended during active military service only. Suspensions for any other reason are not available.

May I change the frequency of my premium payments?

Yes. The frequency options for premium payments are monthly EFT, quarterly, semi-annual and annual. If you would like to change your payment frequency, please complete the Policy Change Request form (use this version in New York). If you’d like to change to monthly payments, setting up a regular Electronic Funds Transfer is required and the EFT form (use this version in New York) should be submitted too. Please call us at 800.247.6888 (800.378.6085 in New York) or contact your insurance representative for more information.

I have automated payments set up through my bank for premiums. Can I stop the scheduled payment?

Yes. To discuss your options, call us at 800.247.6888 (800.378.6085 in New York) or contact your insurance representative.

For Employers

These are common questions we’re receiving from employers who offer a guaranteed standard issue IDI plan from The Standard to their employees.

Claims

Will the IDI policy pay benefits if my employee has been diagnosed with COVID-19?

If you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 and you meet the definition of disability in your policy, you will likely be eligible for benefits if your disability extends beyond the waiting period. IDI benefit waiting periods generally extend beyond a quarantine period. Being quarantined, furloughed or unable to work due to COVID-19 concerns, without a disability, wouldn’t qualify for benefits.

My employees are currently furloughed without pay, though we continue to pay the GSI premium. If the covered individuals become sick while on furlough, will they be eligible for disability benefits?

Furloughed individuals already covered under an individual disability insurance policy — including GSI plans — for which premiums continue to be paid would be eligible for disability benefits, if they meet the definition of disability in the policy.

Do The Standard’s IDI policies have a pandemic-specific exclusion?

No, we evaluate COVID-19 as we would any other medical condition.

Coverage Continuation

Does a work-from-home arrangement for my employees affect their coverage?

No. If the employer has approved work-from-home arrangements due to COVID-19 public health concerns, we will consider the covered employee actively at work under the IDI policy.

What options does an employee have when their GSI individual disability insurance ends?

When GSI coverage terminates, the portability provision in the IDI policy will be available to the employees according to the terms of the policy. Employees can maintain coverage and preserve the group-discounted rates as long as they agree to pay the premiums as they become due. When a GSI group is terminated, The Standard will send employees a letter with direct billing options.

Billing, Payment and Administration

My company has eliminated jobs. Does the decrease in group size covered by the GSI plan affect the plan?

The Standard will reevaluate each case on an annual basis, as usual. We reserve the right to modify the plan at any time due to underperformance or noncompliant plan terms. If action is needed, The Standard will provide 90 days of written notice. However, The Standard will work with affected employers on a case-by-case basis.

Can I suspend IDI policies during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Platinum Advantage policies, and Protector PlatinumSM policies in New York, may be suspended for individuals during active military service only. Suspensions for any other reason are not available. GSI or employer plans may not be suspended.

New Applicants

I have employees applying for GSI now that are working from home due to COVID-19. Will they be considered Actively at Work?

Employees applying for GSI who are working full time from home can answer “yes” to the Actively at Work question. Working from home will not affect policy issuance. If the employee is unable to work they should answer “no” and provide details. Furloughed applicants will not be considered to be actively at work. Furloughed applicants can apply for coverage after they return to work and can satisfy the eligibility requirements. Please note: The Standard offers a rolling Actively at Work requirement for all cases that is typically 180 days of full-time work. This means an applicant not meeting the AAW requirement can re-apply after being at work full time for 180 days.

I have a new employee who was placed on furlough before their GSI effective date of coverage. Will their effective date be affected by being furloughed? What are their options?

For GSI coverage to become effective, the new employee will need to meet the requirements for coverage which include being actively at work. Furloughed employees are not considered to be actively at work. However, the employee can apply for coverage after they return to work and can satisfy the eligibility requirements.

Get Help With Benefits & Leaves

Individual Disability Service 
P: 800.247.6888 
P: 800.378.6057 (In NY) 
Send a Message

Individual Disability Sales Support 
P: 800.992.4446 
P: 800.378.6057 (In NY) 
Send a Message

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