Pitfalls of taking LTD?

[teacher61]

What is the name of your state? Colorado

I am a school teacher in Jefferson County Public Schools, Colorado, who would like some advice about Long Term Disability leave. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide in answering the following questions:

1. I am concerned about the risk involved in filing an LTD leave. Are there possible negative repercussions for future employment in the district?

2. My physician will support my LTD claim. Would the school district have access to all of my medical records? Would they require a second opinion?

3. Would I be allowed to attend classes during an LTD leave to keep my teacher’s license current?

4. Could litigation be necessary to have the leave approved? If so, at what approximate cost?


Thank you very much for your assistance.

 

[notsmartmark]

The questions you raised are best answered by your teacher's union. I would talk to your local and state reps. If you are in the union, there's a good chance your spending a pile of money, use them.

1. I am concerned about the risk involved in filing an LTD leave. Are there possible negative repercussions for future employment in the district?

You should have a guarantee in your contract to return to a comparable. Your contract should describe this in detail. If not, it should be part of the next bargaining session. If you are planning on returning to the classroom and staying in the classroom in the same district, there shouldn’t be any problems. Some principals take leaves personally because they are put out trying to fill the position and can be grumpy for a while. If you are planning on changing positions or districts, it might have an impact depending on the length and reason for the leave. If you interview in a different district in a few years, most individuals on the interview committee with not know about your leave. But the Personnel Dept. and some administrators will know. The leave can play into it, but history, recommendations and interview will play a large role, probably, the largest.

2. My physician will support my LTD claim. Would the school district have access to all of my medical records? Would they require a second opinion?

If it has to do with the leave, the district can require additional information and second opinions. Releases now need to allow you to exclude specific information. Most of claims for LTD leave are going to be handled and determined by the district’s insurance provider with the personnel department putting a face on the recommendations made.

3. Would I be allowed to attend classes during an LTD leave to keep my teacher’s license current?

There shouldn’t be a problem. I would have questions if you are taking classes towards a Master’s, a full load, or if you take physical classes and have a leave because of physical disability. But remember, the district is most likely relying on others to make the decision and will rely on others to challenge things that you are doing while on leave.

4. Could litigation be necessary to have the leave approved? If so, at what approximate cost?

I can’t answer this. There are too many variables.