Everything You Need to Know About Using Short-Term Disability to Cover Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Recovering from alcohol or drug addiction is a lifetime battle. Fortunately, the struggle gets easier as the clock continues ticking forward. The more sober time you get under your belt, the further you’re able to put the risk of relapse in your rearview mirror.
All that being said, gaining a foothold in the battle against drug addiction begins with substance abuse treatment. Depending on the nature of your substance abuse disorder, attending work while undergoing detox and drug or alcohol rehab presents a formidable challenge. If you’re employed full time, you’re left with few options.
Should you use PTO, or does short-term disability cover rehab for alcohol and drugs?
At South Shores Detox, we can help provide the appropriate paperwork requested from your employer. Our goal is to ensure you receive the proper treatment for drug or alcohol addiction without worry of any negative impact on your professional life. In this article, you’ll discover how to navigate this sometimes complicated situation.
Short-Term Disability or PTO?
Two of the most commonly used workarounds for those seeking substance abuse treatment without jeopardizing their career are PTO and short-term disability. Let’s break down and unpack the pros and cons of each.
PTO
PTO, or Paid Time Off, is a collection of days you can miss for work and still receive full compensation. Employees receive a predetermined number of PTO days at most organizations each year. Somewhere around 30 days seems average for most industries, give or take, depending on the specific employer.
The upside of PTO is that you don’t have to file any paperwork or take any prerequisite steps to access it. It’s built into your schedule, and usually, you can take these days at your leisure. In extended vacations (1 week or more), you might be obligated to provide a notice of a few days or a week.
However, PTO might not be a practical solution. For starters, even though you could technically use all your PTO at once for drug or alcohol addiction treatment, do you want to use all of your vacation or sick days in one shot and gamble with the fact that you won’t need another day off for the rest of the year? It’s possible that opting for an inpatient rehab program will use your PTO in full.
In addition, you could always run into intangibles you didn’t account for. For example, if treatment runs longer than expected, or you don’t adjust to home life as quickly as you initially thought possible.
Another potential roadblock is that the combination of medically-assisted detox and inpatient treatment could take upwards of 35-40 days—and that’s on the low end. If your personalized treatment plan recommends a 60-day inpatient stay, the chances are high that PTO isn’t available to cover you.
The more practical idea is using short-term disability for multiple reasons.
Short-Term Disability Benefits
Any professional organization usually offers a short-term disability program—typically through a third-party insurance agency that processes your claim. In many instances, a process known as career insurance goes hand-in-hand with short-term disability insurance. This career insurance guarantees your spot is still available when you return from your temporary leave of absence.
When you opt for short-term disability insurance, every company structures the pay grade differently. Some organizations pay 100% of your earnings for the first 30 days, then 70-80% after the initial month. If you require additional time, the case is usually reevaluated to determine the next compensation bracket, which generally falls around 50%.
Does Short Term Disability Cover Rehab for Alcohol and Drugs?
The upside of short-term disability insurance is that it doesn’t impact your PTO; you get paid according to your regular pay period. That said, there are some essential points you should be aware of regarding short-term disability benefits and whether they cover substance abuse treatment.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Short-Term Disability?
If you expect to spend an extended period in a rehab program, you must prove your eligibility through several steps.
Short-term disability benefits have a waiting period after the initial application. This can be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. During this waiting period, you must be qualified as disabled and unable to perform your daily obligations at work.
Medical Certifications
To qualify for short-term disability insurance, you must compile proof from your doctor. The condition doesn’t necessarily have to be long-standing or have an extensive history of chronic disorders. This is necessary for long-term disability applications but not for temporary leave.
That said, it’s still important to document and keep copies of all of your paperwork you receive from your physician or counselor from the beginning of your initial evaluations for said condition—in this case, substance abuse disorder. The only mandatory items are usually:
- An evaluation sheet is filled out by your doctor, explaining your condition and providing their expert diagnosis and recommendation for a temporary short-term disability stint.
- A release of information, signed by you and returned to your company and the physician, making it legal for them to exchange private information regarding your status.
- Finally, a return-to-work form, stating your expected return date and any restrictions you might have upon returning.
Qualifications
What qualifies you as temporarily disabled? Disability benefits are available if someone suffers from a condition that severely hinders their ability to complete daily obligations at work successfully.
Employee Eligibility
You must understand your company’s disability benefits rules from the beginning of your employment period. Certain companies have criteria that you must meet to maintain eligibility for temporary disability. Your time with the company, full-time status, and other elements could impact your access to a disability claim.
When Do Substance Use Treatment Programs Qualify for Income Replacement Through a Disability Insurance Policy?
Qualifying for short-term disability because of a trip to drug or alcohol rehab is dependent on the language of the insurance company paying the benefits.
This is why you must understand the terms and information outlined in the insurance company policy, which should be available in your employee handbook or onboarding paperwork.
Professional Certification
You’ll need professional certification from a psychiatrist from a drug or alcohol rehab program or other healthcare provider. This certification should clearly explain to your employer why your drug or alcohol abuse makes you eligible for financial support after the claims process.
Make sure your healthcare provider clearly states why your dependence on illicit drugs or co-occurring disorders is impacting your performance at work.
Qualifying Diagnostic Criteria
Medical leave is granted with financial assistance because of the functional limitations caused by a temporary period of challenging medical conditions. In the case of substance use claims, your addiction may impact your mental health, causing a noticeable decline in your job duties.
This can include the emergence of bipolar disorder, difficulty concentrating, and even manifest in ways that negate your physical abilities—especially during detox.
Being transparent about this information can demoralize many, especially if your superiors at work find out. You’d be surprised at how many employers support your decision. Most want what’s best for you and are willing to help you during your recovery journey.
Contact South Shores Regarding Medical Leave and Enrolling In Our Treatment Facility
At South Shores Detox, we can help you navigate the claims process, ensuring a favorable outcome so you can attend treatment stress-free. We’re even willing to provide your employer with any helpful information to your cause—whatever it takes to make this experience as seamless and enriching as possible.
Contact a member of our compassionate staff today, and we’ll help you with all the resources you need to gain confidence and peace of mind regarding your employment while you’re at our facility.