Long-Term/Short-Term Disability BenefitPROVIDER: UnitedHealthcareLong-Term Disability (LTD) and Short-Term Disability (STD) both provide tax-free income if you become disabled and are unable to work due to illness or injury. These benefits provide financial protection when you need it most. Show
Newly eligible employees can elect either Disability Plan within the first 30 days of eligible employment. You are not required to submit evidence of good health if
you enroll during your initial eligibility period. If you do not elect a Disability Plan during the first 30 days, you will need to complete the Evidence of Insurability form. Coverage will not be in effect until you have been approved by UnitedHealthcare.
After years of dreaming about onesies and pacifiers, you’ve decided it’s time to take the leap and start a family. As you plan a color scheme for the nursery and look through Pinterest boards of first year pictures, you’re also likely going to think about how you will make ends meet during maternity leave. Short-term disability and pregnancyOnly 23 percent of U.S. workers in 2021 had access to paid family leave benefits (up from 14 percent in 2015), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Only some states require employers to offer paid family leave for pregnancy and childbirth. Though Federal law requires most employers to give workers 12 weeks of unpaid leave and a guarantee of employment upon return, not everyone can afford to take 3 months of unpaid leave. Whether or not you have a paid family leave benefit, short-term disability insurance may increase the funds available while you recover and bond with baby. While you usually can’t collect disability and paid family leave for the same time period, some employees may use disability benefits to recover from the birth. Short- vs. long-term disability for maternity leaveThere are two main types of disability insurance: long- and short-term policies. If a sickness or injury prevents you from working, long-term disability will replace a portion of your income for many years or all the way to retirement (depending on the policy terms). Short-term disability insurance, as you may have guessed, covers lost income for a shorter period, weeks or up to two years — a temporary injury or sickness. Short-term disability is what you’ll lean on during a part of your maternity leave. How to get disability coverage for pregnancyEmployer coverageMany employers offer both short- and long-term disability coverage as part of a benefits package. So, as a first step, pull out your work benefits folder to see what, if any, kind of short-term disability coverage you have through work. There are several pieces of information you’ll want to gather about the policy:
Short-term disability policies pay a weekly benefit when you are disabled following the elimination period. You may wish to take three months off work to bond with the baby, but the short-term disability insurance policy will only pay benefits if you are disabled due to the pregnancy. The typical timeframe you are considered disabled following delivery of the baby, without complications, is six weeks; eight weeks if a C-section was performed. Benefits may also be paid prior to delivery of the child if your doctor has put you on bedrest due to the pregnancy. Ask yourself a few questions as you review the policy. Does the benefit period match the amount of time you plan to take off? Is the benefit amount enough for you and your family? Is the elimination period too long? The devil is in the details. What part of pregnancy and maternity leave is covered by disability insurance?If your policy covers your pregnancy and maternity leave, the terms of the policy will spell out what is covered for an uncomplicated pregnancy. If you have health issues and your doctor documents the need for longer coverage period, you may be eligible for additional coverage beyond the standard amount. Pregnancy and maternity leave on your termsStarting a family is one of the most rewarding things a person can do in their lifetime — money shouldn’t get in the way of that. If you’re thinking about starting a family, it’s a really good time to speak with a financial professional who can help run through a pre-baby financial checklist. You can also use our disability insurance calculator to figure out how much coverage would cost. To be used with form MN 992-STD, MN 992-LTD, MN 1096 SGSTD, MN 1096 SGLTD, ICC16.TT.DI.IIB.(0916), ICC16.TT.DI.FIB.(0916), ICC16.TT.DI.CAT.(0916), ICC16.TT.NCDI.(0916), ICC16.TT.GRDI.(0916),
ICC16.TT.DI.PDB.(0916), ICC16.TT.DI.PDBO.(0916) or state equivalent. Not all contracts and optional benefits are available in all states. Disability insurance policies contain some features and benefits that may not be available in all states. The ability to perform the substantial and material duties of your occupation is only one of the factors that determine eligibility for disability benefits. These policies also contain exclusions, limitations and reduction-of-benefits provisions.
Eligibility for disability income insurance, additional policy benefits, and qualification for benefits, is determined on a case-by-case basis. For costs and complete details of coverage, contact your Northwestern Mutual Financial Representative. Disability insurance policies contain exclusions and limitations that could affect individual coverage. For costs and more complete details, consult a Northwestern Mutual financial representative.
90-2703-86 (05/22) Is Short Term disability worth it for pregnancy?It's vital to apply for short-term disability long before you begin packing your bag for the hospital. Unpaid leave can be an excellent choice for families who can afford it, giving them additional time to bond with their baby. This time allows new mothers to rest, recuperate, and heal after delivery.
Does UnitedHealthcare cover pregnancy?With maternity support from UnitedHealthcare, you'll find the information and support you need, throughout your pregnancy and after giving birth. Using our various member tools and resources, you'll find help to learn what you need to know, including: What to expect during your pregnancy.
Does United Healthcare cover paternity leave?UnitedHealth Group Maternity and Paternity Leave Policies
UnitedHealth Group offers 4 weeks of paid maternity leave, 8 weeks of unpaid maternity leave, 5 weeks of paid paternity leave and 4 weeks of unpaid paternity leave.
Does Unum short term disability cover maternity leave?How does Unum handle maternity benefits? For a delivery with no complications, most pregnancy claims are approved under Short Term Disability for a period of six weeks. Your employer may choose to provide an alternative eight-week benefit for Cesarean deliveries.
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