Pop Quiz See how you do!

Pop Quiz See how you do! -


The LIFE Foundation "This Moment made possible by My Paycheck" photo competition made me think of all those great moments of my own experience, and how our salaries and our ability to earn a significant income are each of us and our families. In this spirit, I offer this "quiz" that CIGNA developed to help people assess and strengthen their awareness of disability insurance.
1. True or False: People who work do not need disability insurance because they are covered by insurance for workplace accidents.
Answer: False. Insurance of accidents only covers injuries or illnesses acquired at work, while the majority of accidents and illnesses are not work-related, according to the National Security Council.
2. True or False: People who work can completely rely on their accumulated sick leave if they miss work because of illness or injury.
Answer: False. An absence related to disability can last much longer than the sick leave credits of an individual. Disabilities are not necessarily catastrophic events, but may vary from broken bones, pregnancy, surgery, treatment of a disease, etc. The recovery time is unique to each situation.
3. True or False: Most people have enough savings to cover their living expenses if they can not work because of a disability.
Answer: False. Disabilities can last for months or years, and many people are not saved enough to cover living expenses for long.
4. True or False: short-term disability covers a portion of the salary of an individual for a year.
Answer: False. Short-term disability insurance generally covers children up to about six months, while long-term disability insurance provides coverage for longer periods.
5. True or False: People who work do not need disability insurance as they have medical insurance.
Answer: False. Medical insurance offers protection for covered medical expenses, but will not replace the income is needed to pay a mortgage, car payment or other household bills.
If you got three or more right answers, good for you! But no matter how you did on the quiz, there is much more you can learn about disability insurance. The LIFE Foundation offers many great resources to www.protectyourpaycheck.org.
Although the value of having disability insurance can not be overstated, it is also important to be aware of programs that can help prevent disability.
Use your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Many employers offer an EAP that can help people cope with stress, depression, addiction and work / life balance. Many disability absences are related to behavioral health problems such as these, so that the EAP can play a crucial role in helping people to stay healthy and avoid a lack of disability. EAPs are free to the employee and completely confidential.
Stay well and minimize health risks. Many employers offer programs to help you quit smoking, lose weight, eat better, sleep better, manage stress or get more physical activity. As a program of employee assistance, these health programs and wellness are generally free to the employee; so if you have them, use them.
Managing a chronic illness. programs that help people manage chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease are also important because they can help prevent chronic disease leading to disability. CIGNA A study shows that people who enrolled in a chronic care program and was a handicap missed nearly four days less than those with a chronic illness who has not participated in a program.
Be sure to take a moment during Disability Insurance Awareness Month in May to learn about this important coverage. This could be the most important thing you do for your financial security and well-being.
Dr. Anfield is Chief of the disability business of CIGNA. Make sure you listen to his podcast "Thinking the future :. How to Protect Your Paycheck "