MMC Benefits Handbook
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Mental Health
Can I receive benefits under the Optional Long Term Disability Plan if I have a mental health condition?
You may be eligible for benefits under the Optional Long Term Disability Plan if your mental health condition prevents you from performing your job. As with any disability, you must satisfy the requirements of an eligible disability, and your disability must be approved by the Claims Administrator.
Are benefits limited for mental illness conditions?
If you become disabled (as determined by the Claims Administrator) on or after January 1, 2006 because of a mental health condition that results from any cause, then, subject to all other Plan provisions, benefits will be payable:
  • only for so long as you are confined in a hospital or other place licensed to provide medical care for the disabling condition; or
  • when you are not so confined, a total of 24 months for all such disabilities during your lifetime.
Mental health condition means any psychological, behavioral or emotional disorder or ailment of the mind, including physical manifestations of psychological, behavioral or emotional disorders, but excluding demonstrable, structural brain damage. The 24-month Long Term Disability benefit limit on non-confined treatment applies to both mental health and substance abuse conditions. The 24-month benefit limit is a combined mental health and substance abuse lifetime limit.
Substance Abuse
Can I receive benefits under the Optional Long Term Disability Plan if I have a substance abuse problem?
You may be eligible for benefits under the Optional Long Term Disability Plan if your substance abuse problem prevents you from performing your job. As with any disability, you must satisfy the requirements of an eligible disability, and your disability must be approved by the Claims Administrator.
Are benefits limited for substance abuse?
If you become disabled (as determined by the Claims Administrator) on or after January 1, 2006 because of alcoholism or the non-medical use of narcotics, sedatives, stimulants, hallucinogens, or any other such substance then, subject to all other Plan provisions, benefits will be payable:
  • only for so long as you are confined in a hospital or other place licensed to provide medical care for the disabling condition; or
  • when you are not so confined, a total of 24 months for all such disabilities during your lifetime.
The 24-month Long Term Disability benefit limit on non-confined treatment applies to both mental health and substance abuse conditions. The 24-month benefit limit is a combined mental health and substance abuse lifetime limit.