Short-Term Disability
UMass Chan offers an optional Short-Term Disability program through Guardian which is available to non-unit (non-union) employees only. The employee pays the entire cost of the plan. Coverage begins on the first day of the month following your date of hire. If your day of hire falls on the first of the month, then your benefit begins that same day.
UMass Chan now has an improved Short-Term Disability benefit. The new, improved plan structure includes a shorter waiting period, richer income benefit, and lower premium rates. As of 7/1/25:
- Benefits begin sooner, as early as the 1st day when caused by an accident or on the 8th day when related to employee illness.
- Coverage is extended to a maximum of 26 weeks, as supported by medical documentation.
- The Guardian program requires that any employee who is eligible for Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave must first apply for that benefit.
- Guardian STD benefit will be reduced by any financial benefit received from MA PFML. This aspect of the program is not changing.
- All current and future enrollees will be covered at the 60% of weekly income level. Anyone currently enrolled for the 50% benefit level will have coverage increased to 60%.
- Guardian’s minimum weekly benefit has increased to $200 per week. This means that even if you are receiving 60% of your average weekly wage from MA PFML, you will still receive, at minimum, $200.00 per covered week.
- Maximum weekly benefit has increased to $3,500 per week, making this plan more valuable to higher wage earners.
- All new enrollments during the Spring 2025 enrollment period will be automatically approved for coverage with no medical underwriting required. Enrollments that occur beyond the Spring 2025 enrollment period will be subject to medical underwriting and approval.
View More Information About Guardian Short-Term Disability Here
Open Enrollment Information
- This plan has been updated to include a higher level of income replacement coverage. No action is needed if you are already enrolled. You have the option to enroll or cancel coverage.
- Complete the Guardian Short Term Disability Enrollment form and submit via email to Benefits.UMMS@umassmed.edu
New Hire Enrollment Information
- You may enroll as a new hire during your first 21 days of employment without having to provide evidence of medical insurability. If you choose to enroll at a later date, you must provide evidence of insurability.
- Complete the Guardian Short Term Disability Enrollment form and submit via email to Benefits.UMMS@umassmed.edu
Questions?
For questions on enrollment and Short-Term benefits:
- Contact Guardian’s Employee Benefits Hotline at (888) 600-1600 weekdays, 7:00 am to 8:30 pm, EST and refer to Group ID: 549499.
OR, for questions on the Short-Term Disability benefit in conjunction with the other UMass Chan benefits:
- Contact the Benefits Department in the HR Service Center at benefits.umms@umassmed.edu or call (508) 856-5260, Option 1.
Other Short-Term Insurance Options?
For other short-term type coverage options, current employees can review the Leaves of Absence (LOA) website on our LOA intranet page.