Effective January 1, 2018, a number of State Disability Insurance (SDI) program changes took effect, including an increase in the wage replacement rate and an elimination of the seven-day non-payable waiting period. The changes apply to both disability claims and Paid Family Leave (PFL) claims. Patients can use the Employment Development Department’s (EDD) online benefit calculator to determine their new benefit amounts.

Physicians should also be aware that there is a new version of the Claim for Paid Family Leave (PFL) Benefits form (DE 2501F). New forms can be ordered by visiting the EDD Forms and Publications page or by calling (877) 238-4373.

Physicians are reminded that they can certify disability and PFL claims online via EDD’s electronic claim filing system. The system allows physicians, practitioners, claimants, employers and voluntary plan administrators to submit claims and other supporting documents online.

In October, EDD launched a new portal that provides a single login to access all of EDD’s online benefit services. If you did not transfer your registration information to the new portal by December 14, 2017, you will have to re-register to certify patient disability claims online.

For more information, visit www.edd.ca.gov/disability. Questions can be directed to EDD at DIBOutreach@edd.ca.gov.

For more information on PFL, see California Medical Association (CMA) On-Call document #6203, "Family and Medical Leave." On-Call documents are available free to members in CMA's online health law library. Nonmembers can purchase documents for $2 per page.