Advantages of a Private Plan From The Standard
By partnering with The Standard as a carrier to administer a private plan, you can benefit from:
- A single point of contact to manage the administration and benefits integration of The Standard’s PFML/PFL, Absence and Short Term Disability claim(s)
- Fast claim decisions
- Real-time notifications provided on new leave reporting and status updates
- Custom communications available to address specific employer needs, such as return-to-work requirements
- Confidence in your carrier’s financial strength and ability to pay claims
Compliance Support and Active Monitoring
Keeping pace with state rule changes can be a challenge — especially if you have employees in different states. With a private plan, you can hand much of this responsibility off to The Standard.
- We continuously monitor PFML rules and developments to ensure compliance in existing and future states.
- We continually engage with implementing agencies and trade groups during the development of PFML rules and programs.
- We proactively inform our external partners and customers of PFML changes impacting benefits and plan administration, including STD, Long Term Disability and Absence Management.
Administration: Private vs. State Plans
Let’s explore the differences between private plan and state plan administration. For detailed state benefit information, check out the interactive map.
| Private PFML Plans | State PFML Plans |
|---|---|
| Single point of contact ensures employees have one leave examiner managing their PFML, Absence and STD claim(s). | Call centers support the entire state. They may average longer hold times to speak with a contact center representative. Employers likely won’t have a designated client manager for customer support. |
| Real-time notification on new leave reporting and status updates with access to online, up-to-date claim status. | Online administrative systems vary from state to state. Employers will need to navigate different platforms and may need to adjust data and/or fill in blanks through employee reporting. |
| Fast claim adjudications with claims typically paid within three to five days of receipt of all necessary documentation. | Claims and payment experience will vary from state to state. Employees may experience prolonged processing of payments and customer service response times in some states. |
| Ease of administration with one-stop shop for reporting, billing, account management and seamless benefit integration with FMLA, PFML, STD and LTD. | Employees and employers will navigate through separate leave processes for FMLA, PFML, STD and LTD. |
| Custom communication allows for specific employer needs to be addressed, such as return-to-work requirements. Benefit information also available to assist with supplemental employer-paid benefits. | Notifications will address PFML only. They may be generic and may not meet specific employer benefit/payroll needs for all leave reasons taken. |