Question about Short-Term Disability

orourjes · July 2011

I just started a new job May 16th (won't they be happy to see me pregnant so soon). I plan to enroll in short-term disability benefits. Because I am a new hire, I cannot be declined based on medical status, in fact, they will not inquire into my medical history, but I am nervous that my maternity leave will not qualify due to it being a pre-existing condition at the time I signed up. Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks!

lak4683@yahoo.com · July 2011

When I signed up last year I was told that there was a 6 month waiting period. If I were to get preggo during that time it would not be covered bc of an pre-exhisting condition.

lauren1205 · July 2011

most STD policies won't let you collect unless you have carried the policy for 9 or 10 months prior to delivery.

marissabarone · July 2011

I am an HR Manager and my company's STD does not have any pre-existing condition clauses. Once you are eligible for benefits, you are eligible to begin "using" the benefits. You will not be covered for FMLA leave, however, because you will need to be with your current employee for one year and more than 1000 hours.

cabee310 · July 2011

Every policy I have heard of won't cover it until you've had coverage for X amount of time before hand.

Also, not trying to be Debbie Downer, but you may not qualify for FMLA either. I got hired when 3-4 months pregnant with DS, they told me I would have to be employed for 1 year to qualify for FMLA and as soon as I delievered, my job was terminated.

tak2002 · July 2011

I was pregnant with Henry already when I was eligible to sign up for benefits (only once every 2 years at my old job), and I would not have been covered. I'd check with the provider to make sure.

orourjes · July 2011

marissabarone:
I am an HR Manager and my company's STD does not have any pre-existing condition clauses. Once you are eligible for benefits, you are eligible to begin "using" the benefits. You will not be covered for FMLA leave, however, because you will need to be with your current employee for one year and more than 1000 hours.

Definitely hoping for this! FMLA isn't an issue if I can get the STD. I will get at least 6 weeks maternity either way, but I am hopeful to have some income during this time.

melissapilgreen · July 2011

You probably will not be eligible for FMLA, which is what protects your job while you are on leave. I believe that you have to be employed for 12 months for FMLA.

balihaigirl · July 2011

cabee310:
Every policy I have heard of won't cover it until you've had coverage for X amount of time before hand.

Also, not trying to be Debbie Downer, but you may not qualify for FMLA either. I got hired when 3-4 months pregnant with DS, they told me I would have to be employed for 1 year to qualify for FMLA.

All of this.

Debra4869 · July 2011

cabee310:
Every policy I have heard of won't cover it until you've had coverage for X amount of time before hand.

Also, not trying to be Debbie Downer, but you may not qualify for FMLA either. I got hired when 3-4 months pregnant with DS, they told me I would have to be employed for 1 year to qualify for FMLA and as soon as I delievered, my job was terminated.

Debra4869 · July 2011

cabee310:

Every policy I have heard of won't cover it until you've had coverage for X amount of time before hand.

Also, not trying to be Debbie Downer, but you may not qualify for FMLA either. I got hired when 3-4 months pregnant with DS, they told me I would have to be employed for 1 year to qualify for FMLA and as soon as I delievered, my job was terminated.

This. In order to qualify for FMLA at my job, I needed to be employed for one year/12 months before taking leave. So, we had to wait 3 months before TTC, so that if I got preganant, I would start leave AFTER that 12 month mark. Little did I know it would take 8 months to get pregnant, but alas - that was still the case with me.

ghdst1 · July 2011

lak4683:
When I signed up last year I was told that there was a 6 month waiting period. If I were to get preggo during that time it would not be covered bc of an pre-exhisting condition.

This is the same as the short term disability offered by my work.

JessieJH · July 2011

I'm an HR Manager as well. Your qualificatins for STD will depend a lot on company policies, but FMLA coverage is based on your state regulations (ex: California and OR are much more generous than WA and the qualifying periods vary). Also if you are eligible or offered FMLA may depend on the size of your company (by employee count). You should check out FMLA online and then look at your company intranet for info on STD. Also- pregnancy is not a pre-existing condition for general health benefits, so they shouldn't be able to deny you coverage there. You should be able to talk to your benefits advisor at work about this.

Daisy07gray · July 2011

I know my maternity would currently fall under "pre-existing" apparently once diagnosed or a treatment begins (u/s, blood work, appointments for pregnancy). I directly asked my human resourses guy and he was helpful but there's no way I'll be covered. Like, PPs said, check on the waiting period and let HR help with that stuff.

Want a personalized experience?

Question about Short-Term Disability

Re: Question about Short-Term Disability

Choose Another Board

Search Boards