LTD Cooperation Requirements

Your continued eligibility for LTD benefits depends on meeting specific cooperation requirements. Failure to cooperate can result in suspension or termination of your benefits.

CBA Requirements (Section 27.J.4)

According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement:

"In order for a pilot to continue to be eligible for a disability benefit under the LTD Plan, the pilot must fully cooperate with the Claims Paying Administrator, in coordination with the Aeromedical Advisor, and must diligently seek restoration of any required license or medical certificate to allow the pilot to return to work."

This establishes three core requirements:

1. Cooperate with Claims Paying Administrator
2. Coordinate with Aeromedical Advisor
3. Diligently seek medical certificate restoration

1. Cooperate with Claims Paying Administrator

What "Full Cooperation" Means

You must:

• Respond promptly to all information requests
• Provide complete information when asked
• Submit to examinations when reasonably requested
• Allow access to medical records (with proper authorization)
• Report changes in your condition or circumstances
• Attend appointments scheduled by the administrator

Typical Requests You'll Receive

Regular updates (every 30-90 days):

• Current medical status
• Treatment received
• Changes in condition
• Work status
• Other income sources

Medical documentation:

• Doctor visit notes
• Test results
• Treatment plans
• Medication lists
• Specialist reports

Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs):

• Administrator may request you see their doctor
• Travel may be required (they typically cover expenses)
• Must attend unless medically contraindicated
• Doctor will evaluate your condition and restrictions

Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs):

• Physical testing of your abilities
• Typically conducted by occupational therapist
• Duration: 4-8 hours
• Measures what you can/cannot do physically

Response Timeframes

Typical deadlines:

• Written requests: 10-15 business days
• Phone requests: 5 business days
• Urgent requests: 24-48 hours
• IME appointments: Must attend as scheduled

How to Cooperate Effectively

Best practices:

1. Keep a log of all communications
   • Date and time
   • Person contacted
   • Summary of discussion
   • Follow-up items
2. Respond in writing when possible
   • Creates documentation
   • Allows you to be thorough
   • Provides proof of compliance
3. Meet deadlines
   • Set calendar reminders
   • Don't wait until last day
   • Request extensions if needed (before deadline)
4. Be thorough but concise
   • Answer all questions asked
   • Don't volunteer unnecessary information
   • Stick to medical facts
5. Keep copies of everything
   • All forms submitted
   • All letters received
   • All medical records sent

2. Coordinate with Aeromedical Advisor

Who Is the Aeromedical Advisor?

The Aeromedical Advisor is:

• A physician employed by or contracted with FedEx
• Specializes in aviation medicine
• Advises on return-to-work planning
• Coordinates with FAA on medical certification issues

Your Responsibilities

You must:

• Respond to Aeromedical Advisor requests
• Attend appointments when scheduled
• Provide medical records as requested
• Discuss your medical certification path
• Follow reasonable recommendations

You do NOT have to:

• Accept the Aeromedical Advisor as your treating physician
• Follow treatment recommendations from Aeromedical Advisor
• Disclose information beyond what's relevant to work capacity

Typical Interactions

Initial contact:

• Usually occurs early in disability
• Review of medical condition
• Discussion of prognosis
• Identification of barriers to return to work

Ongoing coordination:

• Updates on medical status
• Discussion of treatment progress
• Planning for medical certification
• Identification of work restrictions

Return-to-work planning:

• Assessment of work capacity
• Discussion of accommodations
• Coordination with flight operations
• FAA medical certification strategy

Protecting Your Interests

While cooperating:

1. Understand the role - Aeromedical Advisor works for FedEx, not for you
2. Have your own doctor - Maintain independent medical care
3. Know your rights - You can decline treatment recommendations
4. Document everything - Keep records of all interactions
5. Seek second opinions - If medical opinions differ significantly

Consider ALPA assistance:

• ALPA Aeromedical Office can advise you
• ALPA can help navigate FAA certification
• ALPA R&I committee can address disputes

3. Diligently Seek Medical Certificate Restoration

What "Diligent Effort" Means

You must actively work toward restoring your FAA medical certificate when it is possible to do so.

Required efforts:

• Comply with treatment recommended by your treating physicians
• Follow up with specialists as needed
• Work with AMEs (Aviation Medical Examiners) on certification path
• Pursue FAA Special Issuance if available
• Engage with HIMS if substance-related issue
• Document all efforts made toward certification

When This Applies

You must seek restoration if:

• Your condition is potentially improvable
• Treatment options are available
• FAA certification pathways exist
• Your disability may be temporary

You are NOT required to:

• Undergo high-risk experimental treatments
• Accept treatments that contradict your doctor's advice
• Pursue certification if condition is permanent and untreatable

What Counts as "Diligent Effort"

Examples of compliance:

✅ Attending all scheduled doctor appointments ✅ Following prescribed treatment plans ✅ Taking medications as prescribed ✅ Completing physical therapy ✅ Meeting with AME to discuss certification path ✅ Submitting FAA Special Issuance applications ✅ Gathering required medical documentation ✅ Participating in HIMS program (if applicable) ✅ Consulting with specialists as recommended

Examples of non-compliance:

❌ Missing medical appointments without cause ❌ Refusing recommended treatment without valid reason ❌ Not taking prescribed medications ❌ Failing to follow up with specialists ❌ Not engaging with AME or FAA process ❌ Refusing to provide medical documentation

Documenting Your Efforts

Keep records of:

• All medical appointments (dates, providers, purpose)
• Treatment compliance (medications, therapy, etc.)
• AME consultations and recommendations
• FAA correspondence and applications
• Specialist evaluations
• HIMS participation (if applicable)

Why documentation matters:

• Proves you're meeting requirements
• Protects against benefit termination
• Supports appeals if benefits are denied
• Demonstrates good faith effort

Special Situations

Condition is permanent:

• Provide medical documentation showing permanence
• May not be required to pursue certification
• Focus on managing condition and quality of life

Multiple treatment options:

• Must pursue reasonable options
• Can choose among equivalent treatments
• Can decline high-risk or experimental treatments

Financial barriers:

• Medical costs typically covered by insurance
• Administrator may assist with certification costs
• Contact ALPA if financial issues prevent compliance

Consequences of Non-Cooperation

Benefit Suspension

First consequence:

• Administrator sends warning letter
• Specifies what's needed
• Provides deadline to comply
• Benefits may continue pending response

Benefit Termination

If non-cooperation continues:

• Benefits terminated
• Must appeal to restore
• Burden on you to prove cooperation
• May lose benefits permanently

Repayment Requirements

In some cases:

• May be required to repay benefits received
• Especially if non-cooperation was fraudulent
• Can create significant financial hardship

Your Rights

While you must cooperate, you also have rights:

You Can:

• Question requests that seem unreasonable
• Request clarification of requirements
• Seek extensions when needed
• Refuse unreasonable demands
• Appeal adverse decisions
• Get ALPA representation

You Cannot Be Required To:

• Accept specific medical treatment against your will
• See specific doctors (beyond IMEs)
• Disclose information unrelated to work capacity
• Travel excessive distances without accommodation
• Take actions that violate your doctor's orders

Getting Help

When to Seek Assistance

Contact ALPA R&I committee if:

• You're unsure whether a request is reasonable
• You're having trouble meeting requirements
• You've received a warning letter
• Benefits have been suspended or terminated
• You believe requirements are being applied unfairly

Resources

• ALPA Retirement & Insurance: ri@alpa.org
• ALPA Aeromedical Office: For FAA certification guidance
• FedEx Benefits Service Center: 1-855-545-4748
• Disability attorney: If facing benefit termination

Best Practices for Compliance

Create a System

1. Use a calendar
   • Mark all deadlines
   • Set reminders 1 week before
   • Track all appointments
2. Maintain a binder
   • Section for LTD correspondence
   • Section for medical records
   • Section for FAA documents
   • Communication log
3. Respond promptly
   • Don't procrastinate
   • Address requests as soon as received
   • Request extensions early if needed
4. Be proactive
   • Provide updates without being asked
   • Inform administrator of changes
   • Demonstrate active engagement
5. Document everything
   • Every phone call
   • Every letter
   • Every appointment
   • Every effort made

Communication Tips

When responding to requests:

• Be professional and courteous
• Answer all questions asked
• Provide complete information
• Don't volunteer irrelevant details
• Keep copies of everything
• Follow up to confirm receipt

Sample response structure:

Dear [Claims Administrator],

I received your request dated [date] for [specific items].

1. [First item requested]: [Your response/attached document]
2. [Second item requested]: [Your response/attached document]
3. [Third item requested]: [Your response/attached document]

I have attached the following documents:
- [List all attachments]

Please confirm receipt of this information. If you need any
additional information, please contact me at [phone/email].

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Claim number]

Next Steps

• Understand duration limits - How long benefits last
• Know your company access rights - System access while disabled
• Maintain your records - Document organization tips