All people should have health insurance in case of disability. People with disabilities also need health insurance to be able to receive medical treatment.
A good health insurance plan will help you cover the costs associated with your disability. This includes rent, mortgage, car payments, food, medical expenses, and insurance premiums. Universal health coverage could improve the quality-of-life of people with disabilities and their families.
Benefits of Disabled Persons
You may be entitled to government disability benefits if you are disabled. Social Security Disability Insurance is one of them, as are Supplemental Security Insurance and Medicaid.
In different states, you may receive different benefits. Your state determines the disability program for which you qualify and how much your benefits will cost.
Medicare and SSI both provide benefits for people with low income, but these programs do not cover every medical expense. Private disability insurance, long-term disability and life insurance are other programs you may be eligible for.
The amount of taxes and your previous work history will determine if you are eligible to receive this type of benefit. You can apply to receive these benefits either online or personally.
Mental impairments are the most common type of disability, and include conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and autism. Physical disabilities, like arthritis or back injuries are also very common.
You can get long-term disability insurance from your employer, or buy it separately from a health insurance company. These policies are expensive but important if your medical condition prevents you from working.
Getting Long-Term Disability Insurance
As part of employee benefit packages, more employers are providing disability insurance. LIMRA (a research company that tracks workplace benefits) reports that it is offered by 41 percent of businesses. Some employers cover the cost of such plans for their workers.
These long-term-disability plans pay out a percentage of your wages, usually 50-70%. However, they typically have a "elimination period," meaning that you have to wait for an injury or illness to qualify for benefits.
This can be an especially important benefit for workers with lower salaries who don't have any other type of disability insurance to fall back on. It is also beneficial to younger workers who are at risk of losing their job due a disability.
SUNY Long-Term Disability (LTD)
The University of New York covers all professional, UUP or MC employees for free. The University provides employees with the option of purchasing an employee-paid LTD program, which covers 60% of their earnings before disability. There is a salary limit of $16,667 for each month.
The Standard offers the LTD program directly, or you can contact your SUNY office for more information. You'll also need to submit proof of insurance such as your health exam.