OBJECTIVES: Data on the association of disability with advanced melanoma are limited. This exploratory retrospective cohort study determined rates, timing, and costs of STD and LTD in adult patients with newly diagnosed advanced melanoma. METHODS: The sample was derived from US administrative claims databases (Truven Health MarketScan^®). Disability costs were adjusted to 70% of an estimated $30/hour replaced wage. RESULTS: Between April 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012, 1,052 patients were diagnosed with advanced melanoma. Of these, 109 patients (mean age, 51.1 years; 92.7% employed full-time) had data eligibility, among whom 94 and 95 had STD or LTD eligibility, respectively. Fourteen and 9 patients went on STD or LTD, respectively; 2 went on both. Mean time between diagnosis and STD or LTD was 115.0 days and 221.8 days, respectively. Mean number of STD and LTD days were 67.2 and 105.7, respectively. Seven STD and 6 LTD patients received melanoma-specific treatment. Mean time between treatment initiation and STD or LTD was 59.4 and 202.5 days, respectively. Mean number of on-treatment days (time from treatment initiation until the run-out date, defined by the supply for oral/subcutaneous products or expected clinical benefit for infused products) was 16.4 during STD and 25.1 during LTD. Among STD and LTD patients with a return-to-work record (n=14 and n=5, respectively), mean time to work re-entry was 85.6 and 76.4 days. Mean costs to employers were similar for STD and LTD ($1,302/patient/month vs $1,349/patient/month). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary estimates of the course of work disability and associated costs in patients with newly diagnosed advanced melanoma. Melanoma often affects younger patients thus it is important to refine the estimated burden associated with lost work productivity in a larger sample with long-term follow up. Future research must also explore the impact of recently introduced melanoma therapies on this burden.