Benefits Handbook for Faculty and Professional Research Staff

Disability Insurance

Workers’ Compensation

If you lose time from work or incur medical expenses because of an illness or injury directly related to your employment at NYU, you may be entitled to benefits under New York State Workers’ Compensation. Workers’ Compensation is completely separate from the University health care plans. If an illness or injury is work-related, you must file for benefits with Workers’ Compensation only. The NYU Point-of-Service Plan (United HealthCare) and the HMOs do not provide coverage for work-related injuries and illnesses, since state law requires coverage for such through a separate Workers’ Compensation insurer. NYU’s Workers’ Compensation insurer is Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Inc. Workers’ Compensation requires that certain documentation and treatment procedures be followed.

If you have any questions about the procedures regarding work-related injury or illness, call the NYU Insurance Department at 998-2755 or visit their Web site.

What to do If you are Injured on the Job

• In life or limb threatening medical emergencies, call 911 immediately, or go to the nearest Emergency Room.
• IMMEDIATELY, or as soon as possible, report your work-related incident, injury, or illness to your NYU supervisor.
• If you are unable to report to work as a result of your injury or illness, notify your supervisor of this information before or at the start of your next work shift.

How to Obtain Medical Treatment for a Work-Related Condition

• You may select any physician or health care provider who is authorized by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. You can access the names of authorized providers by calling the Worker’s Compensation Board’s Customer Service Department at (718) 802-4978. Advise your physician or health care provider that your injury or illness is work-related.
• You may elect to obtain medical care from the NYU Health Center, located at 726 Broadway, third floor, (212) 443-1007 (Urgent Care Department). If you opt to obtain medical treatment at the University Health Center, you will be asked to sign a consent form (C-3.1) which states that you choose to receive care at the University Health Center. You may, at any time in the future, change your Workers’ Compensation health care provider.
• Except for emergencies, you should not seek treatment from your regular HMO, PPO, or group health primary care physician unless he or she is authorized by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board to treat Workers’ Compensation cases. You have the right, however, to select any physician or health care provider who is authorized by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.

How to Obtain Workers’ Compensation Insurance Information

• Liberty Mutual Insurance Company is the University’s Workers’ Compensation carrier that is responsible for all work-related injuries. Liberty Mutual’s address is: P.O. Box 4836, Syracuse, New York 13221-4836; (800) 962-5157.
• Your Liberty Mutual Adjuster will contact you within 24 hours of the receipt of your claim. The Adjuster will ask your status, discuss appropriate medical care, and if appropriate, start the process to commence workers' compensation benefits.
• Remember to inform your workers' compensation authorized medical provider that medical bills for treatment related to your work-related condition, must be sent to Liberty Mutual at the above address.
• You can obtain your Liberty Mutual claim number by calling the NYU Insurance Department at (212) 998-2731. You should give the claim number to your workers’ compensation health care provider.

Compensation For Wages Lost

You may be entitled to compensation if your work-related injury keeps you from work for eight or more calendar days, compels you to work at lower wages, or results in permanent disability to any part of your body. NYU’s insurer, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Inc., will process your claim and notify you of the amount.

Illness or Disability of Eight or More Calendar Days

If your disability will extend to eight or more calendar days, your Worker’s Compensation benefits will coordinate with your sick days as described under Paid Sick Days. Please be aware that New York State Disability payments may not be claimed if you have exhausted all sick days and are absent due to a work-related illness, injury or disability, so do not file a New York State Disability Insurance form.

Returning to Work Following a Work-Related Disability of Eight or More Days

If you are returning to work after eight or more calendar days, you must report first to the NYU Insurance Department, 7 East 12th Street, 8th Floor. You must bring with you an up-to-date medical report from your Workers’ Compensation health care provider, stating the date that you are able to return to duty. You will not be able to return to work unless you submit this medical report. Contact the NYU Insurance Department at (212) 998-2755 if you have questions about this procedure.

Compensation for Medical Expenses Incurred

When you are treated by a physician (or other Workers’ Compensation Board approved provider of medical services) for a work-related illness or injury, be sure to advise the provider of that fact before receiving treatment. Under N.Y. State Workers’ Compensation law, an approved provider who treats a patient for a work-related illness or injury must accept the reimbursement allowed under Workers’ Compensation law as payment in full for services rendered. The provider will be reimbursed by the University’s Workers’ Compensation insurer, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Inc. The provider, by law, cannot bill you for any balance due and you should not pay a physician for treatment of a work-related illness or injury. Should you remain totally disabled for more than six months due to a work-related injury or illness, you may apply for TIAA Group Total Disability Benefits (LTD). However, any total disability benefits payable to you from this plan will be offset by Workers’ Compensation amounts received.

Enrollment and Effective Date

Workers’ Compensation coverage is automatic at no cost to you and is effective on your first day of work.

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