I’m Coping with a Serious Health Condition
A serious health diagnosis can come as a shock. Learn how Microsoft’s benefits can help support you in this difficult time.
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- First steps
- Connect with others
- Self-care
- Take time off
- Get help
Talk to your primary doctor and any specialists to assemble a treatment plan. When possible, have a trusted loved one with you to support you by taking notes, asking questions, and other helpful actions.
- Learn more about the diagnosis you’ve received and get a second medical opinion for free.
- Reference topic-specific benefit information on our health and wellbeing pages.
- Review the specific details of your health plan coverage available on the Summary Plan Description.
- Contact your health plan directly with any questions about coverage.
Deciding how much or how little you want to share with your manager or co-workers about your (or your loved one’s) health concern is an important consideration. As you work through the logistics of your medical needs and potential time away from the office, the boundaries around the details of what you do or do not share are set by you.
- Think about how, or if, to talk to your manager. Your manager can help you work through your leave and flexible work during or after treatment. You may also need to work with your manager to request or implement an approved accommodation, including ergonomic requests
- Decide if you want to tell your colleagues.
- Talk to a colleague or join an ERG discussion group to connect with others who may have faced a similar issue.
Note: You may want to consider the privacy implications of joining an ERG or other support group. The group’s name may appear in your Outlook contact card, or your name may appear in their information, and Microsoft cannot guarantee that all individual members of an ERG or support group will maintain strict privacy and confidentiality. ERGs and support groups do not provide, and should not be used as a substitute for, medical care and advice.
Whether you’re managing your own illness or caring for a loved one, self-care can play a vital role in your ability to confront and cope with your situation.
- Take advantage of your Perks+ benefit to maintain your overall wellness and help manage stress.
- Spring Health offers short-term counseling and a wide range of services to support mental and emotional wellbeing.
- Use the resources available at MS CARES to help you find balance and get through the difficult times.
- Your medical plan may have additional resources for mental health care (both in-person and virtual appointments). Review the Summary Plan Description and/or contact your health plan provider for details.
Microsoft’s benefits allow you to take time away from your job to attend medical treatments and appointments, get rest, and recover.
- Holistic Health Time Off is available if you are not feeling well or need to go to a medical appointment.
- Short-term disability leave (STD) provides for up to 26 weeks of paid leave time if you qualify due to a personal, non-work-related illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental health condition.
- Should your illness require an extended amount of time off work, Long-Term Disability (LTD) may be available as well.
- If your family member is ill, Family Caregiver Leave is available to support you as you care for them.
If you have not already done so, you may want to ensure that your financial and legal affairs are organized. This will help you manage medical bills and prepare for the future.
- If you’re enrolled in the Group Legal benefits, MetLife attorneys can help you assemble and update your personal legal documents, and the Family First service can assist you with navigating eldercare.
- Consider updating your beneficiaries on your life insurance and your 401(k).