Pregnancy and childbirth can bring exciting changes, but they can also affect your income if you need time away from work. Many educators have questions about whether short-term disability insurance covers maternity leave, how benefits are paid and when coverage needs to be in place.
Understanding how short-term disability insurance works for pregnancy can help you prepare for maternity leave, evaluate your benefits and avoid surprises during an important life transition.
How short-term disability insurance works for pregnancy
Disability insurance plans differs by provider and plan type, but the basics are generally the same. If you’re planning to use your disability insurance for maternity leave, there’s some important terminology you need to know to understand your plan and how it works.
Your delivery date is your first day of disability. That starts the clock on your elimination period. This period, starting on the first day of disability (your delivery date), is the number of days before any benefit is payable. A typical elimination period is either 7 or 14 days. Your plan begins paying you after your elimination period is complete.
After your elimination period ends, you’ll enter your benefit period. That’s the time frame in which your benefits are payable. Your doctor will determine your disability/benefit period, based on your situation.
Here’s a hypothetical example: You deliver your baby via caesarian section on Oct. 1, which is your first day of disability. If your plan has a 14-day elimination period, your policy won’t begin paying until Oct. 15, when your elimination period is complete and your benefit period starts.
If your benefit period lasts 8 weeks (minus the 14-day elimination period) because you had a caesarian delivery, you’d begin receiving payments from your policy Oct. 15 and continue getting paid through Nov. 27, when the benefit period ends.
Note that each disability policy varies, and you should review your plan to understand exactly how it works during maternity leave. Confirm your benefits in advance to know what’s covered and to avoid a possible claim denial.
Also, you may be tempted to get your paperwork filed before your big day, but you have to wait. Your delivery must occur before you can file your claim because your actual delivery date starts the clock on your elimination period.
What benefits may be available during pregnancy and childbirth
Check your policy in advance to see what benefits may be payable as a result of childbirth. You may also consider reviewing the claim filing forms and filling out some portions before your baby is born so it’s one less thing to worry about after delivery.
Some additional benefits to look for include:
Physician Expense Benefit: This pays a lump sum if you see a doctor due to an injury or sickness. With many disability plans, you can file a benefit for your initial diagnosis visit or when you first saw your obstetrician and confirmed you were pregnant.
Disability Benefit: This pays a lump sum upfront for the number of weeks you will be on disability, minus your elimination period. If a disability is to be extended, an updated form is required, and payments will be made based on the schedule in your policy.
Hospital Confinement Benefit: This pays a daily benefit for each day you stay as a patient in a hospital1 due to a sickness. In this case, that’s your delivery. Refer to your plan to see if this benefit is included.
If you’re unable to work due to disability before your delivery date (e.g., if you’re put on bedrest) or after your routine pregnancy benefit period is over, then you may submit updated physician forms to request additional benefits.
It’s also a good idea to investigate extended coverage in the event that unforeseen pregnancy- and delivery-related complications keep you out of work longer than you had anticipated.
Plan ahead for a more financially confident maternity leave
You’ve made a smart decision to include disability insurance as part of your family’s financial plan. After all, the more prepared you can be, the better.
Maternity leave is intended for healing from the physical effects of childbirth, as well as a time for bonding with your baby and relishing special moments. The little steps you’ve taken to review your income protection benefits now hopefully will help lessen your worry and make the time with your newborn even sweeter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy and Short-Term Disability
Does short-term disability cover maternity leave?
Coverage depends on your employer's plan and policy terms, but many short-term disability policies provide benefits for a period of recovery following childbirth.
Is pregnancy considered a disability?
Pregnancy itself is generally not considered a disability. However, childbirth recovery and certain pregnancy-related medical conditions may qualify for short-term disability benefits under eligible plans.
Is pregnancy a pre-existing condition for short-term disability?
Many policies require coverage to be in place before pregnancy begins. Policy rules vary, so review your specific plan for pre-existing condition limitations and eligibility requirements.
Can you apply for short-term disability while pregnant?
Eligibility depends on the plan. Some policies require enrollment before pregnancy, while others may have waiting periods or exclusions.
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1 Hospital: the term “Hospital” shall not include an institution used by you as a place for rehabilitation; a place for rest or for the aged; a nursing or convalescent home; a long-term nursing unit or geriatrics ward; or an extended care facility for the care of convalescent, rehabilitative, or ambulatory patients.
