anyone familiar with Voluntary S/T Disability eligibility (Mutual of Omaha)

Hi- We had a presentation yesterday for Mutual of Omaha's Voluntary Short-Term Disability Insurance and let's just say that the presenter wasn't the sharpest crayon in the box.

Anyhow, I'm pregnant (with twins) and she did say that maternity leave was covered.
However, under the exclusions clause for pre-existing conditions limitation, it says:

"Disabilities that occur during the first 6 months of coverage due to a pre-existing condition during the 3 months prior to coverage *may be* excluded."

She said that means if you were diagnosed or had *any* doctor appointments in Feb, Mar, April, then you will not be eligible for the first 6 months of coverage (which for us starts May 1....bringing us to Dec. 1 eligibility).

So, of course I've had doctor appointments in the last 3 months for prenatal care....so she says that would make me ineligible.

--Does that sound accurate?? I'm penalized for getting good prenatal care? Shouldn't pregnancy be an exception to this rule?

My estimated due date is Oct 8 (two weeks prior to full-term because I'm carrying twins).

So for a c-section --> 8 weeks would only get me a benefit under this plan of say the first week in Dec. Not worth it.

BUT some other guy--I think one of the brokers--said that this policy WOULD cover me if I had to go out on bed rest prior to delivery, which with twins is a definite possibility.

However, this doesn't add up because the bed rest would still be as a result of a pre-existing condition.

-Any experts out there who can shed light on this from experience?

(I will ask my "HR person" - I use the term lightly - for the certificate booklet which supposedly has more info on exclusions but chances are she won't have it. We are being taken over by a parent company and this is all coming from them. Have no contacts with this company.

I'll also try calling Mutual of Omaha a little later.)

Thanks in advance.

I've been at this company almost 5 years, been struggling with infertility and while I am so grateful to be pregnant, I can't believe it happened in the only 3-month period that would screw me for ST disability coverage!

Message edited 4/18/2012 9:03:44 AM.

Re: anyone familiar with Voluntary S/T Disability eligibility (Mutual of Omaha)

I don't work for them but I do work for a company that sells similar products and maternity leave usually isn't covered if you are pregnant when you purchase the policy.

Re: anyone familiar with Voluntary S/T Disability eligibility (Mutual of Omaha)

I agree with the above poster. It would be unusual for a short term disability plan to pick up a pre existing condition.
I would call Mutual of Ohama and see what they say.