Short Term Disability experts - please come in!

So my doc told me yesterday that I have severe round ligament pain (I was actually happy to hear that and not pre term labor because of the pain I am feeling). Regardless, I work in the city and my commute is about an hour and 45 minutes door to door. I didn't really get into it with my doc yesterday because I have another appt coming up the beginning of next week, but does anyone know if he writes me a note saying I have round ligament pain if that consitutes a "medical" reason and I could be put out on STD? I'm almost 32 weeks.

My job SUCKS when it comes to working from home so that really isn't an option for me (although it would be my ideal scenario). Walking or basically moving is absolute torture and I just don't know how much longer I can do this every day. At this point my last day of work is 8/13.

Sorry so long - thanks in advance!

Re: Short Term Disability experts - please come in!

If your doctor says that you can't work b/c of the round ligament pain, I would think that it qualifies-- the law says "'Disability' during employment means the inability of an employee, as a result of injury or sickness not arising out of and in the course of an employment, to perform the regular duties of his employment or the duties of any other employment which his employer may offer him at his regular wages and which his injury or sickness does not prevent him from performing." The definition also specifically includes pregnancy based disabilities. So, basically, if your disability is preventing you from working, you are entitled to benefits.
As a side note, NYS disability benefits are very small- $120/wk I think. Do you have private/extra disability benefits? Also, remember that most employers count any pre-baby time out against your FMLA leave, so whatever time you take before could take away from your time with baby.
Hope you feel better!!!

Re: Short Term Disability experts - please come in!

Thank you so much for the info! The benefits I have through my employer (based on tenure) would allow me to use STD (paid at 100%) prior to my child's birth and it would not count towards FMLA.

EDITED to add - I went out early with my first daughter because of preterm labor around 30 weeks and was covered at 100% under disability that did not affect my FMLA. I guess I'm just concerned that if my doc writes round ligament pain on a doc note it's not going to necessarily constitute "disability"?? I could totally be overthinking this - or just be in so much freakin pain i'm delusional!

Message edited 7/2/2013 10:27:23 AM.

Short Term Disability experts - please come in!

You are lucky with your employer!!

I am relatively sure that if your doc says you can't work, you can't. She/He will need to specify exactly why you can't work. From the NYS website:
"Disability can only be determined and certified by a physician or certified nurse midwife through the submission of medical reports. If a claimant becomes disabled more than four to six weeks prior to the anticipated birth date, or is disabled more than four to six weeks after the actual birth date, more detailed information regarding the disability may be required. The medical reports should describe specific symptoms, rather than just general prognosis."

I also think that the doc will prob be familiar with the requirements, and I would go with his/her opinion.

Re: Short Term Disability experts - please come in!

Thank you so much anskiv!!!! You have really been helpful

Short Term Disability experts - please come in!

each diability plan is different. that would be covered on mine and it would NOT count towards my maternity leave.

I went out at 29 weeks with blood clots in my leg. That was diability and my maternity (through the same policy) did not start until I had a baby in hand.

Re: Short Term Disability experts - please come in!

Thank you! Your disability sounds a lot like mine. I just triple checked with my HR department and was told if my doc writes a note, based on a medical disability, it would not count towards FMLA or my maternity leave.

Short Term Disability experts - please come in!

I am super impressed with both of your companies!!
ETA: My answer above was based on NYS STD, not supplemental STD. So you would have to look at the plan to determine whether the pain would qualify you. But I think it would under the NYS plan.

Message edited 7/2/2013 1:11:46 PM.

Re: Short Term Disability experts - please come in!

I don't know much about it but thankfully a lot of girls here seem to! Is disability separate from FMLA?

Short Term Disability experts - please come in!

Disability is where either NYS or a private insurance company pays you if you are not able to work due to your own disability.
FMLA is a job protected leave that lasts for up to 12 wks, during which the employer has to keep your benefits the same as if you were working. On termination of the leave, you have the right to your same or an equivalent job back.
The employer can choose to run the disability concurrently with your FMLA leave, which means that you get 12 wks of leave in total, but that some of it may be paid for via disability insurance. Or, like the above posters, they may choose to have it run consecutively, thus extending the time you have out of work. In my experience, most employers have it run concurrently.