MMC Benefits Handbook
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Mental Health
Can I receive benefits from the Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan if I have a mental health condition?
You may be eligible for benefits from the Long Term Disability Bonus Income 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 health 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 (excluding the first six months under the Short Term Disability Plan) 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.
If I was approved for Short Term and/or Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan prior to January 1, 2006, does the 24-month Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan benefit limit on non-confined treatment for a mental health condition apply?
No, if you were approved for Short Term and/or Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan by the Claims Administrator prior to January 1, 2006, you are not subject to the 24-month (excluding the first six months under the Short Term Disability Plan) Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan benefit limit on non-confined treatment for a mental health condition.
If however, you were approved for Short Term and/or Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan benefits for non-confined treatment for a mental health condition prior to January 1, 2006, you return to work for at least six months, and then you become disabled again for the same mental health condition on or after January 1, 2006, you are subject to the 24-month (excluding the first six months under the Short Term Disability Plan) Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan benefit limit on non-confined treatment for a mental health condition.
Periods of non-confined treatment for substance abuse count toward the 24-month (excluding the first six months under the Short Term Disability Plan) Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan benefit limit on non-confined treatment for mental health conditions.
Substance Abuse
Can I receive benefits under the Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan if I have a substance abuse problem?
You may be eligible for benefits from the Long Term Disability Bonus Income 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 (excluding the first six months under the Short Term Disability Plan) for all such disabilities during your lifetime.
If I was approved for Short Term and/or Long Term Disability prior to January 1, 2006, does the 24-month Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan benefit limit on non-confined treatment for substance abuse apply?
No, if you were approved for Short Term and/or Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan by the Claims Administrator prior to January 1, 2006, you are not subject to the 24-month (excluding the first six months under the Short Term Disability Plan) Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan benefit limit on non-confined treatment for substance abuse.
If however, you were approved for Short Term and/or Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan benefits for non-confined treatment for a substance abuse problem prior to January 1, 2006, you return to work for at least six months, and then you become disabled again for the same substance abuse problem on or after January 1, 2006, you are subject to the 24-month (excluding the first six months under the Short Term Disability Plan) Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan benefit limit on non-confined treatment for a substance abuse problem.
Periods of non-confined treatment for substance abuse count toward the 24-month (excluding the first six months under the Short Term Disability Plan) Long Term Disability Bonus Income Plan benefit limit on non-confined treatment for mental health conditions.