Question about STD and Maternity Leave

Brian&Nikki

I am given 6 weeks maternity leave with my company paid (I can take more unpaid through FML if I want).  But my director of benefits also said that if I want to start my maternity leave early, my doctor could say I needed bed rest and I would go on STD for the weeks up until the birth.  My accrued sick time would cover me on this (I have over 20+ days of sick time).  Question is - do you think if I asked my dr to put me on STD he would do it?  I'm only thinking 1-2 weeks prior to estimated due date.  I have had a 0 complication pregnancy but it would be so nice to have a few weeks off before the baby. Thoughts?

jerzeygirl4ever

Some doctors will, some wont.

I thought about asking for some time off a week out but don't really have the balls to ask them. LOL. One of the doctors in my practice is pretty cool but they others are pretty by the book.

Good luck.

EastCoastBride

I personally wouldn't.  I want every last possible moment AFTER I give birth at home w/ my baby.  Taking a week or two before just seems like a total waste of time to me!

Also- keep in mind that FMLA only protects you for a total of 12 weeks (if you choose to be out that entire time).  Even if STD will be broken down into "pre birth" and "after birth" and you still get 6 weeks afterwards - FMLA will have started 2 weeks prior and it will only cover 10 weeks after.

megs042107

i don't understand how that is not insurance fraud? ?how about just scheduling some sick time or vacation time and using that until your due date?

JARbaby

Mine will, you have to ask.

megs042107

and ditto ECB on the FMLA deal. ?it covers you for 12 weeks from the time your STD kicks in. ?so if you want a full 12 weeks after you deliver with the baby, then i would wait until you deliver and not start your STD until actually need to.

Brian&Nikki

I won't be going back to work so I'm not really worried about FML.  Not sure about the whole insurance fraud question but that's a good point.  I guess it doesn't hurt to ask.  I just figure I have all this time saved up, I rather get some use out of it as I worked for the company for 5 years and earned it. 

carlab44

Well as I understand it STD and "sick time" are two different things. How many weeks does your STD cover?

I would maybe take a few of your sick days before the baby is born, but I'd see about using your STD for after the baby is born and take the full 12 weeks FMLA offers. Then save your sick days for the times when you or the baby are ill.

EastCoastBride

I won't be going back to work

Does your company know this?  I ask because if they don't - if your plan is to go out so that you can reap all your benefits THEN tell them "Oh- sorry, not coming back", some companies absolutely will come after you for any $$ they are out of pocket for.  Often maternity benefits are given in good faith that you'll be returning afterwards.

Brian&Nikki

It's actually a complicated situation.  Long and short of it is we moved out of state.  My boss is able to keep me on board through the end of the year which also allows me to qualiy for my maternity leave but after that he can't keep me on his team becuase I am out of state - nothing to do with the baby and this was all discussed prior to me moving/getting preggers.  But it's already been confirmed and approved that I can take maternity leave again as I have been there for so long and have paid into it. 

nhonzel

My doctor offered to sign the paperwork saying my last day would be 2 weeks prior to what I had originally planned. And since the date she suggested happens to fall right before X-Mas I am jumping all over it.

magzap

What state do you live in? In CA you are able to start maternity leave at 36 weeks and recieve disability benefits. You just have to get a note from your Dr. The time off before you give birth is totally separate from after you give birth. So, you can take off at 36 weeks until you give birth as first part of disability. Then after you give birth you get 6 weeks if you have a normal birth and 8 weeks or more if you have a c section. Then you can take 6 weeks of FML if you choose after that.

I was having pre-term labor issues so I decided to take off at 36 weeks, now it looks like baby will be right on time or late, so I have had plenty of time to take care of myself and get the house ready. I don't see how it would be considered fraudulent to take off time that is allowed by the state you live in and if your Dr. approves it. I think you should consult with your Dr and see what he/she thinks.

ginab23

It's not necessarily true that you will use FMLA while on STD.  That depends on your employer.  For us, it's six weeks STD plus 12 weeks FMLA.

Also, for me, I have to use up all my sick time before I can take STD.  If I were you, I'd check with HR to get the specific info for your work.  Everyone's deal is different.

 

bmx4

My Dr said at 36 weeks I can go out on disability if I want (meaning I just let him know) and I see him every week from 36 on and he will be evaluating me to let me know HIS opinion as to whether or not I can go to work the next week. This is due to my commute, the stress of my job and some other physical factors.

I sincerly hope that my Dr wouldn't practice insurance fraud so I'm not concerned about that aspect at all.

divakat

I wouldn't do this.  You never know how the L&D could be. I had a completely normal, great pregnancy and ended up with an emergency c-section because I didn't progress past 7 cm dilation. You may need/want that time off way more after the baby is born.

bmx4

Oh, and to answer you original question, yes I would consider going on leave/STD/whatever a week or two early. Personally my commute is killer and I have some minor physical complications that are just making it worse.

Since you are not returning to work and have those issues already worked out then yes I'd go on leave a week or two early - get the house in order, get yourself rested, etc.

Mjmksb04

Honestly, I would feel a little shady asking my doctor to lie for me.

viola2008

We had STD that could start before the birth that was dependent on how long you had been there.  STD after the baby was born was 6wks vag 8wks c-section.  FMLA started after all of the STD so I am not sure what the pp meant by 10 weeks.  You should just sti down with HR and get it all worked out.  My doctor just had to sign some paperwork but did not have to say I was on bedrest.  I made sure I got everything right with my paperwork becuase I am a stickler.  I did not take any extra time but you can if you want to.

BTW - no maternity leave in the USA - only STD.  Same as a man would get for passing a 9 lb mass out of thier body.    

CA2006

Magzap, in CA, you also have CFRA protection of 12 weeks that doesn't start until after your Dr. releases you from disability.  CA is very generous with leave, but a lot of employers don't know or tell you about CFRA.

magzap

Thanks for the info. My HR person had mentioned this to me but we are still trying to figure out if we can afford for me to take time off completely unpaid. Yeah, CA is pretty generous compared to other states with leave.