Disability insurance helps employees meet financial obligations, including housing, childcare and living expenses, when they are unable to work due to a qualifying illness, injury, pregnancy or other covered medical condition. These expenses are not covered by health insurance.
Benefit-eligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital and UAB Hospital Management LLC can enroll in short- and long-term disability insurance plans. (See this PDF for a list of benefit-eligible employees; opens in a new window.)
Together, short- and long-term disability coverage can replace income and allow employees to focus on recovery while maintaining financial stability.
- Short-term disability insurance is a voluntary benefit, offered through Standard Insurance Company. This is a post-tax, 100 percent employee-paid benefit that provides weekly benefits for a maximum of 76 days (or 61 days depending on the benefit waiting period selected; see below).
- Long-term disability insurance is sponsored by UAB through Standard Insurance Company and is provided at no cost to eligible employees. It is for employees who are expected to be unable to work for more than 90 days due to a serious illness or injury.
Learn more about each option, eligibility, enrollment and coverage below.
Short-term disability insurance
Beginning in April 2025, benefits-eligible UAB employees have been able to enroll for short-term disability insurance.
Short-term disability insurance pays a weekly benefit to participants who experience a covered disability and meet the plan requirements. Covered disabilities include accidents, injuries, illnesses, pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications. The Standard’s short-term disability insurance also includes access to its Health Advocacy Select services for assistance with treatment options, providers, medical billing and healthcare navigation.
Short-term disability insurance is a great option for employees who have exhausted their sick time — accrued and/or donated— as well as personal holiday and vacation time as an alternative to being placed on unpaid leave status. Per UAB’s Family and Medical Leave of Absence policy, all sick time, vacation and personal holidays must be used prior to the employee being placed in an unpaid status.
How to enroll
Employees may enroll through the UAB for Me Benefits Portal during open enrollment or other eligible enrollment periods.
Waiting period and coverage options
Employees may choose between two waiting-period options. Option 1 provides benefits after a 14-day waiting period, while Option 2 provides benefits after a 29-day waiting period. Once an employee is eligible, the plan pays 60% of covered weekly earnings, up to a maximum of $3,500 per week.
Employees may choose from the following weekly benefit options that best align with their income protection needs and budget:
Short-term disability insurance rates
| Plan options | Option 1 | Option 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Elimination/Benefit Waiting Period | 14 days | 29 days |
| Maximum Benefit Period | 76 days | 61 days |
| Maximum Benefit Per Week (based on salary) | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Late Enrollment Penalty (for employees who did not enroll when they first became eligible – see below) | +60 days | +60 days |
Extended waiting period
Employees are encouraged to enroll in short-term disability insurance when they first become eligible, on or before their effective date as a new hire, rehire or upon transferring to a benefits-eligible job assignment. Enrolling when first eligible helps avoid the extended waiting period that may apply to late enrollees.
If an employee enrolls after their initial eligibility date, coverage becomes effective on the date of enrollment. The employee will be subject to a late enrollment penalty consisting of an additional 60-day elimination (benefit waiting) period for disabilities that occur during the first 12 months of coverage. This 60-day waiting period is in addition to the employee's selected waiting period of 14 days (Option 1) or 29 days (Option 2). After the first 12 months of coverage, only the employee’s elected waiting period will apply.
How to use short-term disability insurance
Call The Standard’s Claim Intake Service Center at (800) 378-2395. Review the Frequently Asked Questions document in the UAB for Me portal for additional information.
Long-term disability insurance
UAB provides long-term disability coverage to eligible employees who are expected to be unable to work for more than 90 days due to a serious illness or injury. This insurance is sponsored by UAB through The Standard and is provided at no cost to the employee. It is available to all benefits-eligible UAB employees at UAB.
Long-term disability benefits provide ongoing income protection for employees who meet the plan’s definition of disability. During the first 24 months of disability, employees must be unable to perform the duties of their own occupation. After 24 months, the definition becomes more stringent and requires the employee to be unable to perform any occupation for which they are reasonably qualified by education, training or experience. Learn more about long-term disability insurance and leaves of absence in this quick guide from UAB Human Resources.
How to enroll
Enrollment is automatic in the UAB for Me portal for those employees who are eligible.
Coverage options
If approved, beginning the 91st day (or the end of sick leave benefits), 66 2/3% of the employee’s monthly salary (not to exceed $10,000 per month) will be paid for the first 90 days of disability. On the 181st day (after 90 days of disability payments), 60% of the employee’s monthly salary (not to exceed $10,000 per month) will be paid.
How to use long-term disability insurance
Employees should contact the UAB Benefits office as soon as a physician indicates that an absence may extend beyond 90 days, because the review and approval process can take approximately 30 to 60 days.
To learn more, contact the UAB Benefits office at