Aflac for maternity leave?

amykins1283

Did anyone here use Aflac STD insurance for their maternity leave?  My current employer offers this option and since DH and I are going to be TTC soon we are considering having me sign up so that I can collect some income while on leave. 

I would like some details about how much it cost you, what kind of coverage you got, and how long in advance you had to sign up in order to receive benefits.  Thanks!  

cjtemt921

I used it and it worked great. Basically you have to have it atleast one month before you conceive. The only tricky thing is if you pick it up and conceive one month later you better hope you dont go early.

You can pick what percentage of your pay you would like have and that will estimate your monthly payment. I think it tops out at 60%.

For a vaginal birth you get 6 weeks with a one week waiting period so basically you can get up to 60% of your pay for 5 weeks.

For a c-section you get 8 weeks with a one week waiting period so you get 7 weeks at up to 60%.

 It was great for me and I had the check 9 days after I delivered, but I had paperwork ready to go so all I had to do was have the midwife sign off after birth and mail it.

Do you have any other questions?

Bejebus

I did. It cost me 22 bucks a month. Plans vary, but the one I had, you couldn't get pregnant within the first month after you bought it. If you delivered within 10 months of the plan initiation, without emergency reason, they wouldn't cover it. There was also a 2 week waiting period before I could apply for benefits. So, when I delivered DD, I got all the paperwork done, and I got 6 weeks STD for a vaginal delivery (8 for CS). But, minus the two week waiting period, I only got paid for 4 weeks. It was worth it for me, because we really needed the money, and it was still more than I'd paid in because we got pregnant pretty quickly. 

cjtemt921

OH and your premium will be based on what percentage of pay you choose and how much you make.

For me, it worked out great. I picked it up about two months before I conceived and paid around $40 a month.

amykins1283

Thanks for the responses!  It sounds like it would be worth it for us to do. 

MamaSquish

Right before DH and I started TTC, I got the Hospital Indemnity plan.  It pays $500 each day that you're in the hospital.  I was there for 3, so got $1500!  I do all the benefits administration for our company, and this is the plan that I (and the aflac rep) recommend for people starting TTC.

PartiallySunny

I have and used Aflac. It doesn't cost very much, maybe $10 a month. I couldn't use STD until 6 months after the start up date and no pre-existing conditions (so you couldn't already be pregnant, even if your due date is after the 6 month waiting period). Maternity leave is 6 weeks for a vaginal delievery and I believe 12 weeks (don't really remember) for a c-section. You get 2/3 your normal pay rate. You get a lump some check after you send in the paperwork (just one sheet of paper the hospital fills out saying the DOB of the child and type of delivery).

Edit: Yes, there is a wait period, a work week (so 5 days for me). This was partially covered by my PTO (I didn't have enough PTO left to cover the full 5 days, but I had to use what was left per the FMLA paperwork I signed.)

cali2va

We had it for DD 1 and even though I Got it about 3 months into the pregnancy I knew it wouldnt cover std mat leave but I got it just in case of complications. Well good thing I did because I had to be put on bed rest and they paid me for it..it took a few hoops and letters but I got it covered.

I stayed on it knowing I would have another baby and now Ive been on it 2 years so it will cover std mat leave no problem. I say when in doubt it cannot hurt. Its only $19 a month for piece of mind. 

Bejebus

MamaSquish:

Right before DH and I started TTC, I got the Hospital Indemnity plan.  It pays $500 each day that you're in the hospital.  I was there for 3, so got $1500!  I do all the benefits administration for our company, and this is the plan that I (and the aflac rep) recommend for people starting TTC.

My husband had the hospital plan for $300 per day, but it had the same waiting period as my STD policy, so you have to buy it at the same time. His hospital plan didn't cover my stay because he bought it when I was 3 months pregnant.