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Short-term Disability Coverage vs Long-Term

If you are approved for short-term disability (STD) that does not automatically mean that you will be approved for long-term disability (LTD). There are differences in the two benefits system which we will briefly explain below.

Different Applications and Reviewers

Even if you already have STD under the same insurer, you will need to fill out a separate application for LTD. This is because LTD is handled by a separate set of rules and will be reviewed by a different reviewer entirely.

The main reason is that the two categories have a different definition of all that encompasses disability. STD often has a more lenient definition mean to tackle short term periods where you may not be able to work due to injury or illness. Oftentimes the expectation is that these sort of injuries and illnesses will resolve over time.

LTD applicants must prove that they are unable to hold down any kind of long-term employment and do the tasks required for that kind of job.

Pre-Existing Conditions

One positive aspect of LTD is that pre-existing conditions are often covered, unlike STD where they simply are not. In other words, LTD payouts often occur when the problem you are facing is a result of a pre-existing condition.

LTD policies will look into your history to see if the condition which is causing your current work outage already existing in your medical history.

An insurer will look at your medical records with more scrutiny when it comes to LTD policies. They may even send you to an independent medical specialist before approving any claim.

More About Short-Term Disability (STD) and Pre-Existing Conditions

General Rule: Most STD policies exclude or limit coverage for pre-existing conditions, typically defined as conditions for which you received medical treatment, diagnosis, or symptoms within a specific period (often 3–12 months) before the policy’s effective date, known as the look-back period.

Exclusion Periods: Many STD plans impose a pre-existing condition exclusion period, often 12 months from the policy’s start date. If a disability arises from a pre-existing condition during this period, benefits may be denied. For example, a common clause is the 3/12 rule: conditions treated within 3 months before coverage began are excluded for the first 12 months of the policy.

Time is of the Essence

If you are on STD and need LTD you should act now. The process can take longer than anticipated leaving you without income for months at a time. If you feel so inclined, you may hire an attorney to help with your case. They will make sure that everything is done by the book and in a timely manner.