Temporary Disability Policy

January 1, 2009

The Jockey's Guild has made important changes in the guidelines for members to receive temporary disability benefits.  These changes were approved by the Board of Directors on December 8, 2008, and will go into effect for all claims filed on or after January 1, 2009.

A copy of the Temporary Disability Policy can be viewed in its entirety at the end of this article.  Here are the major areas where changes have been made:

A motion was made and unanimously approved to confirm that there is a seven (7) day elimination period for the Guild Temporary Disability benefit and to modify the Policy so that an eligible jockey will receive benefits dating back to his or her first day of disability after being out for seven (7) consecutive days, and to amend the Temporary Disability Policy to so state effective January 1, 2009.

The next issue discussed regarding the Temporary Disability Policy relates to the injured jockey's reporting responsibilities.  The Temporary Disability Policy requires than an injured jockey submit an On-track Accident form and a completed Request for Temporary Disability Benefit to the Guild within 15 days after the accident.  Currently this time requirement is not enforced.  The Board discussed the Temporary Disability application process.

A motion was made and unanimously approved to require jockeys to submit the application and On-track Accident form to the Guild within 30 days after an injury except where extenuating circumstances exist as determined by the National Manager.  The Board directed the Guild staff to enforce this policy.

The above changes will enable the Jockeys' Guild to better serve its members and to operate in a more efficient and business-like manner. Members who have questions concerning the new policy are encouraged to contact their Member Representative.  They may also call the Guild office toll-free at 1-866-GO-JOCKS.

The Jockeys' Guild
TEMPORARY DISABILITY POLICY
Restated: January 30, 2006,  February 13, 2006, January 1, 2009

1. INTRODUCTION - Temporary Disability Benefits are available to members who meet the requirements of a member in good standing.  A member who incurs an on-track injury and submits a claim for temporary disability benefits will be subject to this policy.  When a request for disability is received from a member who does not meet the requirements of a member in good standing, they will receive a letter from the Guild Office advising them of their failure to be in good standing.

2.  DEFINITION OF "GOOD STANDING" - To be in good standing, a member must:

a.  Hold a valid U.S. jockey license;
b.  Be in good standing in all racing jurisdictions;
c.  Have contributed on all mounts as a Guild member and have ridden 100 or more mounts in the current or previous calendar year;
d.  Be in good standing with all of their accounts with the Jockeys' Guild at the time of their injury to be eligible for temporary disability benefits.  Accounts are defined as:  Annual membership fee and applicable per mount Guild assessment fees.

3.  BENEFIT TERMS - Elimination period seven (7) consecutive days from date of injury.  A member will receive benefits dating back to his or her first day of disability after being out for seven (7) consecutive days.  Benefits as a temporary disabled member will not exceed 104 weeks.

4.  TEMPORARY DISABILITY POLICY PROCEDURES:

a.  All members are required to have an accident report generated for any on-track injury regardless of the type of injury. All on-track injuries that will cause an interruption in the member performing his/her service as a jockey need to be reported to the Guild.  The member is required to submit to the Guild office by fax, e-mail, or regular mail a copy of the "On-track Accident" form along with the Jockeys' Guild "Request for Temporary Disability Benefit" form within 30 days of injury.

If a member's injuries prevent a member from getting the report from a track, the member or member representative responsible is to contact the Guild Office and advise of the situation.  The Guild Office may suggest an alternative method or work with a member or member representative to secure such a report.  The member or member representative MUST sign and return an appropriate physician release of information form to the Jockeys' Guild office.

b. The member is to have the primary care physician for treatment of on-track injury (hospital physician, hospital emergency room physician, or member private physician, whichever is point of medical care) to complete "On-track Injury Evaluation Form" and send it to the Jockey's Guild Office.

c.  Receipt of forms described above in sections "4.a" and "4.b" will allow temporary disability benefits to commence.  If  the above steps are not received within 30 days of on-track injury, benefits under this plan may not be available.

d.  In accordance with the Guild's Temporary Disability Policy, the member must have periodic physician reports.  Schedule for such reports will be appropriately outlined based on member's injury, although modification to this schedule may be made.  This report needs to be completed, signed, and returned to the Guild Office to maintain continuing benefits.  If form is not completed and returned to the Guild Office within 10 days of this mandated return date, benefits may be discontinued.



NOTE:  Required "forms" mentioned in the above policy are provided in the member packet, can be downloaded from the Jockeys' Guild web site at www.jockeysguild.com or can be obtained through the Guild Office by calling toll-free 1-866-GO-JOCKS.