If you’re a new mom and worried about losing your job‚ you’re not alone. Many employers offer benefits to cover pre-existing conditions‚ including pregnancy. Many employers offer hospitalization indemnity insurance‚ which covers expenses incurred during pregnancy and delivery. If you’re considering applying for such a policy‚ you should begin the process before you become pregnant.
Long-term disability plans cover pregnancy
Taking short-term disability benefits during pregnancy can be a great way to stay financially healthy during pregnancy. These policies cover up to fifty to seventy percent of an expectant mother’s income for six to eight weeks after delivery. Some companies offer coverage for both before and after the birth.
The benefits for such coverage depend on your state’s rules. Your employer’s workplace health insurance plan may also offer coverage. This can cover the cost of a hospital stay due to delivery or pregnancy-related complications. Be sure to ask your benefits department about the policy and request the information before you become pregnant.
Short-term disability policies cover various complications during pregnancy‚ such as PPD and pregnancy-related disabling disorders. Many will also provide six weeks of paid leave after childbirth. Some policies offer longer benefits if the complications were due to a C-section delivery or a complicated pregnancy.
Short-term disability insurance policies are generally provided by an employer. These policies pay out for a few months after the disability occurs‚ but many companies have longer benefit periods. Because of the shorter period of time between a disability diagnosis and the actual onset of benefits‚ it’s wise to get short-term disability insurance before getting pregnant. It’s worth it to have a little time to recuperate after a pregnancy‚ but remember that short-term policies do not cover all of the possible complications that can arise during pregnancy.
Look for pre-existing condition exclusions in policies
If you’re pregnant and you’re considering short-term disability insurance‚ there are some things you should look for. For example‚ some policies will exclude pre-existing conditions. You’ll want to look for policies that include prescription drugs and cover office visits. It’s also a good idea to find policies that include maternity care and coverage for multiple visits.
Individual and voluntary disability insurance policies often exclude coverage for pregnancy-related conditions. For example‚ about 15% of women experience postpartum depression‚ or postpartum anxiety‚ after giving birth. Postpartum depression is a common complication of childbirth‚ and is classified as a serious mental illness in the DSM-IV. If left untreated‚ postpartum depression can last for years. Unfortunately‚ many women don’t even get screened for the disorder.
While you may think that you won’t need disability insurance during your pregnancy‚ you should still consider it. While most policies are not flexible‚ pregnant women can purchase a policy that covers them and their child in case of a major accident or illness. The exclusion can be removed after childbirth if the mother returns to work. This way‚ future pregnancies will be covered under her policy.
Short-term disability insurance policies often have many limitations and exclusions. While most new mothers take about five to 10 weeks of maternity leave after giving birth‚ the Family and Medical Leave Act provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave. However‚ some short-term disability policies cut off benefits after a “normal” labor. Some policies even include a limit on how long you can be without benefits after a c-section.
Apply before you’re pregnant
There are some important points to consider when you are applying for short-term disability coverage while you are pregnant. Most short-term disability policies include maternal and pregnancy benefits. These benefits usually last for six to eight weeks following childbirth. However‚ some policies may pay benefits for longer periods of time. Moreover‚ different policies have different requirements and benefits.
First‚ you should be aware that you may need to submit further medical evidence if you are less than 26 weeks pregnant. If you have a preexisting condition‚ it can also affect your ability to receive disability benefits. Depending on the policy you have‚ you may also have to submit a sonogram. Besides‚ you must be careful not to quit your job during pregnancy.
If you don’t have any short-term disability insurance‚ it is important to discuss your options with a licensed insurance agent or your human resources department. Typically‚ you must file a claim stating your medical condition and your inability to work. You must also be aware that many plans won’t approve a claim for short-term disability insurance benefits if you’ve had a preexisting condition.
Short-term disability insurance is meant to replace part of an employee’s income during a period of disability. Some policies will cover up to seventy percent of an employee’s income. However‚ it’s important to remember that a short-term disability policy does not protect an employee’s job while on leave. The FMLA allows pregnant women to take four weeks off work before the due date and take up to eight weeks after childbirth.
