Temporary Disability Policy

Temporary Disability Policy

January 1, 2011

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 6, 2010, and will go into effect for all claims filed on or after January 1, 2011.

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:

Effective January 1, 2011, the Guild will send out payments to eligible members every other Thursday.

New or re-joining members  may now elect to be eligible for Temporary Disability on a proportional basis until they  reach 100 mounts on which they have paid mount fees to the Guild.  Once a member has contributed on at least one mount, he/she is eligible for 20% up to 20 mounts and then after 20 mounts, he/she is eligible for the actual percentage that he/she has ridden and contributed on.

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 (1-866-465-6257).

The Jockeys' Guild
TEMPORARY DISABILITY POLICY
Restated: January 30, 2006, February 13, 2006 January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2011

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; OR

d.  if the member is a new member or a rejoining member, the member will be eligible for Temporary Disability benefits on a proportional basis until he/she has contributed on 100 mounts.  Once a member has contributed on at least one mount, he/she is eligible for 20% up to 20 mounts and then after 20 mounts, he/she is eligible for the actual percentage that he/she has ridden and contributed on. 
e.  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 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 the office 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.  Once the temporary benefits have commenced for the member, the Jockeys’ Guild will send temporary disability payments to the eligible member every other Thursday.

e.  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 the requested return date or from the date of the appointment with the physician, benefits may be discontinued.

f. The Guild reserves the right to amend this policy at any time for any reason they deem sufficient.

NOTE:  The Temporary Disability Benefits Policy 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.