October 24, 2008, Newsletter Issue #31: The Common Levels of Disability

Tip of the Week

There are both medical and insurance definitions of disability. The medical definitions are important if you need to file a total or partial disability claim. The insurance definitions are equally important to answer questions like, “What is permanent partial disability?” and other items that may determine your eligibility for benefits.

Some of the most common categories of disability:

Total and permanent disabilityTotal temporary disabilityPartial disability (often called residual disability)Temporary partial disabilityPermanent partial disabilityPresumptive disability (temporary or permanent)The conditions of your disability will influence how your injury or illness is categorized by your insurer. Sometimes the definition of your particular disability can change during your difficulty. For example, you suffer an injury that, at first, is deemed a temporary partial disability. Over time, it is possible that your injury changes to fit the definition of total disability. In the future, it may again be modified into a permanent partial disability.

Your medical information will dictate which definition of disability applies to you. Should your situation change from temporary partial disability to a permanent definition, your insurance company will calculate permanent partial disability payments and terms to reflect this new definition of your condition. It is important to become familiar with the definitions of disability and benefit levels related to each of those named in your disability insurance coverage.

Refer to your insurance policy contract for specific information regarding your coverage and for actual terms, conditions and exclusions. The above statements are general in nature and may or may not reflect the actual terms of your insurance policy.

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