Staff Handbook

Disability Insurance

New York State Disability Insurance

New York State Disability benefits are available after you have exhausted your paid sick days to replace some of the income lost as a result of a non-work-related disability including maternity disability. For work-related illness or injury, see Workers’ Compensation.

At the time of handbook publication, benefits are one half of your weekly salary, up to a maximum of $170 per week. As long as you are still disabled, you can receive New York State Disability benefits for a period of up to 26 weeks beginning on the eighth calendar day of your illness/disability. If you received full sick pay from NYU for any portion of the 26-week period, you will receive New York State benefits only during the remainder of the 26-week period. There is a maximum of 26 weeks of benefits in a 52-week period. For more information, including how to apply for benefits, see Illness or Disability of Eight or More Calendar Days.

Enrollment and Effective Date

Coverage is automatic and begins on your first day of employment. You and the University share the cost.

Long Term Disability Insurance

NYU provides long term disability insurance through the Standard Life Insurance Company of New York. Coverage is provided at no cost to you and is effective the day after successful completion of your three month probationary period.

If you become totally and permanently disabled before age 60, the first $7,500 of your Basic Life Insurance (plus any Supplemental Life Insurance you elect) will be converted to a monthly benefit payable for up to 60 months of disability. (The remaining $12,500 of your Basic Life Insurance would continue as a life insurance benefit.)

Long-Term Care Insurance

If you are a full-time staff member, you are eligible to purchase group long-term care insurance, issued by John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. The insurance is also available for eligible spouses, registered domestic partners, parents, and parents-in-law.

Highlights of Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance is designed to help you safeguard your assets should you or an eligible family member who purchases coverage require personal care or supervision over an extended period of time. The insurance reimburses your long-term care expenses up to a specified amount for all covered expenses incurred while you are insured. Covered services can be in your home, a qualified adult daycare facility, nursing home, or alternative care facility.

Enrollment and Effective Date

If you elect long-term care insurance when you are first eligible, within 31 days of receiving your new employee kit, you will be automatically approved, regardless of current health status. If you apply at a later date, you may be subject to a medical questionnaire and will not be guaranteed coverage. Regardless of enrollment date, eligible spouses or registered domestic partners, and parents-in-law will need to provide evidence of eligibility.

The NYU long-term care insurance plan is funded by employee premiums through payroll deductions and coverage can be continued if you leave the University or retire. Current costs are included in your new employee kit.

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Worker’s Compensation

Workers' compensation is insurance that provides cash benefits and medical care for workers who are injured or become ill as a direct result of their job. You are not required to contribute to the cost of workers' compensation insurance because NYU pays the entire cost of this protection. You are also not responsible for the cost of medical treatment when such treatment is rendered because of a work-related injury or illness.

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.
• If you need First Aid or Urgent Care, you may go immediately to the University Health Center at 726 Broadway at the corner of Waverly Place, to the Urgent Care Reception Desk on the 3rd floor. If possible, telephone and let them know you are on your way. The University Health Center (UHC) will provide you with efficient, quality care. Call the University Health Center at (212) 443-1007.
• Immediately, or as soon as possible, report your work-related incident, injury or illness to your NYU supervisor. If you cannot reach your supervisor, you may call your Human Resources Representative.
• 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 day.
• Advise your physician or health care provider that your injury or illness is work related.

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 Customer Service number of the Worker’s Compensation Board at (718) 802-4978. Be sure to tell your doctor or health care provider that your injury or illness is work-related. If you elect to receive medical care from the NYU Health Center, be advised that there are physicians on staff who are authorized by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board to treat employees who are injured while working. The Urgent Care Department of the Center is located at 726 Broadway, 3rd floor, (212) 443-1007. If you receive 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.
• If you require additional medical treatment, beyond First Aid, you may elect to continue treatment at the University Health Center. If necessary, the University Health Center can refer you to a qualified specialist. At any time you may 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 employees who are injured at work. You have the right to select any physician or health care provider that is authorized by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.

Reimbursement for Lost Wages

You may be entitled to weekly wage replacement benefits if your work-related injury keeps you out of work for eight or more calendar days, compels you to work at lower wages, or results in a permanent disability to any part of your body. NYU’s insurance carrier, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, will process your claim and notify you of the amount of this benefit.

Payment of Incurred Medical Expenses

When you are treated by a physician or other Workers’ Compensation Board approved provider of medical services for a work-related illness or injury, tell the provider of that you were injured while working.

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 the NYS fee schedule as payment in full. A provider cannot bill you for any unpaid balance and you should not pay any physician for treatment you receive because of a work-related illness or injury.

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.

Illness or Disability of Eight or More Calendar Days

If your disability extends to eight or more calendar days, your Worker’s Compensation benefits will coordinate with your sick days as described under Paid Sick Days and Disability Pay and Leave of Absence. New York State Disability payments may not be claimed if you have exhausted all sick days and your absence from work is because of a work-related illness, injury or disability; therefore, you cannot 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 of disability, you must first report to the NYU Insurance Department, 7 East 12th Street, 8th Floor, Room 811,with a current medical report from your Workers’ Compensation health care provider. The report should indicate the date when you are able to return to full duty. You will not be able to return to work unless you submit this medical report to the Insurance Department. Contact the NYU Insurance Department, (212) 998-2731, if you have questions about this procedure.

If the medical report indicates that you may be released to modified duty, the Insurance Department will discuss the feasibility of modified or restricted duty with your supervisor and will notify you of the outcome of that discussion. If you remain totally disabled for more than six months because of a work-related injury or illness, you may apply for TIAA Long Term Disability Insurance. NYU provides long term disability insurance through the Standard Life Insurance Company of New York. Coverage is provided at no cost to you and is effective the day after successful completion of your three month probationary period. Any Long Term disability benefits you receive from TIAA will be offset by the amount of weekly wage replacement benefits you receive from Liberty Mutual.

Enrollment and Effective Date

No enrollment is necessary. You do not pay for Workers’ Compensation coverage and it is effective on your first day of work.

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