Pregnancy Pre-Existing Condition... is it?

Question

Hey guys My Girlfriends Pregnant, we just found out last week!! She works full time and has health insurance... What we are wondering is, can she sign up for short term disability so she can get paid for her maternity leave?

i know you can take a leave with out it but i don’t know if they will pay you with out short term...

she talked to the insurance company, and they said that before you can sign up for it they give you a sheet with about 10 questions about if you have anything, and if you answer yes to any of those, you get denied for it, and she couldn’t remember if pregnant was on there...

Also, they wont het her sign up till next November… babys not due till may, but cany you change your insurance for life changing events?

so if you can help me out, we want to make sure she gets paid for the time off...

otherwise its going to be a little tight for a few months...

is there any other options we can explore if they wont let her sign up for short term?

thanks for your help?

Answer 1

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Answer 2

It would depend on the insurance company. I was uninsured when I found out I was pregnant but then open enrollment came around at work and I got the insurance. They have covered everything at 100% after my first ob visit. My insurance is with Aetna. As far as disability. I am fighting my disability coverage at work they have denied my claim 2 times they stated that only will cover my leave once the baby is born. I have been having really bad contractions for over 3 weeks and took leave. They seem to think I am able to work while in pain but I can not. So to answer your question it depends on what the std plan covers at your girlfriends place of employment. She can always call her benefits department to find out.  

Answer 3

Yes, a baby is a life event and will allow her to change her benefit elections for items that make sense due to the birth of the baby such as health insurance.

STD is a little trickier because you usually have to sign up for your claim which is "foreseeable" 30-90 days ahead of the event depending on your insurer.  It probably will also depend on her employer's contract with the STD company.  However, pre-existing conditions do not usually include pregnacy.

The best thing to do will be to wait until the first three months are done, notify her employer and immediately talk to HR about it. They may be able to make things out of the ordinary happen even if the STD company gives you a negative answer.

Answer 4

Open enrollment is completely up to the company she works for. It is usually you enroll with in 30 or 90 days after you get hired on OR you have to wait till the next "Open enrollment" period which is usually just once, maybe twice a year.

As far as the short term disability it will depend on the insurance company that she is enrolled with, and yes if she has short term, she would be safe to use it during her 6 weeks, postpartum period.  

Answer 5

Yes, Pregnancy is considered a Pre-existing condition.  My father had me covered by his health insurance, but then he died when I was 10 weeks along.  Now I have no insurance as NO company will take me due to my pregancy being considered a Pre-existing condition.  It is ridiculous.  I have no help at all.  I have no insurance, but I make just over the limit to be accepted for medicaid.

Answer 6

try signing up for WIC. try a crisis pregnant center.  try a local charity. or a church. try Astrive.