Greetings,
Need some guidance.
I have been on LTD since Oct. 2025.
My employer changed their drug & dental plan effective 1/1/2026.
Under the previous plan, I was not required to pay drug plan, extended health care and dental premiums while on disability.
However, under the new plan, the company is demanding that I pay the premiums for drug & dental plan.
They have sent me a letter threatening to terminate my drug & dental benefits.
Can they make this switch while I am on disability and make me pay the premiums?
My LTD benefit is 60% of my previous salary and I would really struggle to pay insurance premiums.
I am trying to work it out with HR but they are not being helpful.
Is this common, and is the employer allowed to do this?
Thanks,
Desmond
Yes they can. As long as it’s their policy and they treat everyone on LTD equally it’s all legal and they are within their rights to do so.
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When I went on medical leave, my employer stated in their approval letter that I would owe them my insurance premiums when I return to work, and it would be deducted from my first pay check upon return. After a year, since I had not returned to work and I didn’t know when I would be returning, I contacted HR and paid them what I owed.
If you have plans on returning within 6 months or so, you could negotiate with HR whether the amount you owe can be deducted from your first pay check.
If you don’t know yet when you’re returning, I would not rock the boat and argue with HR. Consider yourself lucky to still have extended health care benefits, as many people on LTD, including myself, no longer have that insurance after being laid off.