If your employer does not require you to file your claim directly with them (very few do), then you may file with Sedgwick using the procedures described below:
To file your short-term disability claim online: Use our self-service online claim form on our website. Once your claim is entered into our system, you will receive an email with your Sedgwick claim number. To file your claim by telephone: Call Sedgwick at the toll-free phone number listed on your benefits card. If you do not have your benefits card, you can call us on our main claims line at (818)591-2772. A customer service representative will take your claim information over the phone, and provide you with additional information. Be sure to note the Sedgwick claim number provided to you.
After you have filed your claim online or by telephone, you need to take the following 4 steps to ensure the fastest possible processing of your claim:
1) If you have not already done so, notify your employer of your disability. 2) Have your doctor's office call Sedgwick to certify your disability. This is very important, since we cannot process your claim until your doctor has contacted us. (Remind them that when they call us, they will need your medical file and social security number available.) Should your doctor require a "release" from you before they will contact Sedgwick, you can download the Release of Information Form. Complete it, and fax it to your physician.
If your doctor prefers to mail or fax the certification to Sedgwick (we don't recommend this, since it may delay your claim), you may download the Certification Form for Initial Certification of Disability. Fill out and sign the top portion, then forward the entire form to your doctor's office. Once they complete the remainder of the form and send or fax it to Sedgwick, we can begin working on your claim. (If your medical provider is KAISER, click here.)
We suggest that you follow up with your doctor's office until you are assured that Sedgwick has received the medical certification. Once we have your physician and employer information, short-term disability claim processing usually takes just 4 days.
3) Complete and return the forms sent to you. Sedgwick will be sending you a Release of Information Form and a Right of Reimbursement Form in the mail. Please verify that the information is correct, sign and date the forms, and immediately return them to Sedgwick by fax or mail. Our general fax number is (818) 591-7664. (We need you to fill out these forms, even if you already did so in step #2)
4) Continue to follow up on the status of your claim on a regular basis. You can check the status of your claim anytime on our website www.SedgwickCMS.com/calabasas (you'll need to register first using your Sedgwick claim #). You can also obtain claim status on our Automated Telephone Voice Response System at the toll-free number indicated on your benefits ID card or in your benefits booklet. Our customer service representatives are available between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 4:45 P.M., Monday through Friday, Pacific Time for email and phone call inquiries.
PLEASE NOTE: Filing a claim for disability does not guarantee that you will receive benefits. You must first meet the medical criteria and provisions of your company's plan. For a copy of the plan document, please contact your benefits department.