The Employer will provide Long Term Disability coverage for House Officers consistent with the Unum Plan or other carrier, as discussed by the parties. In addition, if during House Officers' employment, they are determined to be qualified for coverage under this Plan, any waiting period will be funded by the Employer as set forth in paragraph 45 below. Any remaining legal issues will be resolved by representatives of the plan administrators and the Employer. The description of the HOA Disability plan can be obtained by contacting the HOA Office.

A House Officer who has qualified for the HOA Long-term Disability (LTD) Plan shall be paid during the six (6) month elimination period. The elimination period begins with the House Officer's first day of absence and may run for a consecutive six (6) months or may consist of intermittent periods of absence. The elimination period will run concurrently with any paid time provided to the House Officer pursuant to Article XIII, Paid Time Away, Section B, Serious Illness Leave (Short-Term Disability). In no case will a House Officer receive more than six (6) months paid leave time in any twelve (12) month period.

Post House Officer Appointment - An Employee, who becomes a regular staff member immediately following completion of service in this bargaining unit, or following continued training under a recognized training grant (e.g., N.I.H.), will have continuous years of service in this bargaining unit and the period of training, count toward the continuous service requirement of the Employer's Disability Plan, provided, however, that a recommendation to become a regular staff member following the training has been approved in writing by the appropriate department chairperson or equivalent level of supervision prior to the beginning of the continued training. In addition, the period of such training will count towards the continuous service requirement for an Employee who returns to the bargaining unit immediately following completion of the training.

No matter concerning the terms of any of these plans shall be subject to the Grievance and Arbitration Procedure of this Agreement, except for questions concerning the specific provisions of this Article.