MetLife Releases Small Co. Disability Plan

A MetLife news release said the coverage offers features and options that many larger employers currently utilize in their disability and absence management programs including return-to-work/stay-at-work strategies for their employees.

The features in the new product include, according to the news release:

• customized plan designs.   For example, an employer has the option of combining or separating limited benefit durations for a number of absence conditions to accommodate a variety of objectives.
• employee-focused benefits that provide enhanced protection and security in the event of a loss of income. This includes an optional Terminal Illness Benefit for long term disability that provides 100% of pre-disability earnings to the employee, for up to 12 consecutive months, if disabled and diagnosed as terminally ill.  
• Return-to-Work/Stay-at-Work enhancements so obstacles to returning to work are minimized.   Plan features provide a Moving Expense Incentive that reimburses employees for moving expenses to a new residence if recommended as part of the rehabilitation program approved by MetLife.

“The foundation of MetLife’s disability insurance contract continues to be an objective definition of disability that encourages return to work by focusing on an employee’s inability to earn income rather than ability to perform certain job duties,” said James Jacobsen, vice president, MetLife Disability , in the news release.   “The MetLife disability insurance contract helps employers maintain overall workplace productivity while providing employees with financial security.”