Short Term Disability

[kwelch10377]

If you have an elective plastic surgery that will cause you to be out for 4-6 weeks is that covered under short term disability?

This isn't for me, a co-worker and I are trying to figure out if it is because another co-worker is looking to get plastic surgery and we are curious to know if she would be covered under short term disability.

 

[tlbwriter]

Well, I've had coworkers who took short-term disability when they had a baby, and medically/insurance-wise that's considered just as optional as plastic surgery... just my layman's thoughts!

 

[kwelch10377]

Well, I've had coworkers who took short-term disability when they had a baby, and medically/insurance-wise that's considered just as optional as plastic surgery... just my layman's thoughts!

I was thinking that too, but I was also thinking that it might not be since plastic surgery isn't covered by medical insurance and it might follow under those lines.

 

[fairygirl]

The answer is probably no. I am an HR professional and I would highly doubt your STD plan covers that. However, you can always ask. Your HR department should be able to give you someone to ask or ask for you.

 

[jking6]

Yes and this is from personal experience. Not plastic surgery but I was having voluntary dental surgery and yes I qualified for disability. As long as the doctor doing the plastic surgery fills out paperwork they will qualify. I personally asked for a leave of absence and was denied My boss told me that a dentist was after all a doctor and if he felt I needed to be out of work then I should have him take me out and he did. go for it!!!!

 

[tlbwriter]

It must depend on your policy. Aaflac specifically excludes cosmetic surgery, at least in my state.

ETA: In reply to the post above mine, Aaflac also excludes dental surgery unless it was due to an injury. Looks like you were lucky not to have Aaflac!

 

[tlbwriter]

Another thought... some types of cosmetic surgery can be considered medically necessary. Is that a possibility? For example, breast reduction can be necessary due to back pain, and I knew someone whose eyelids were so baggy they were affecting her ability to see, so her cosmetic surgery was considered medically necessary.

 

[fairygirl]

Another thought... some types of cosmetic surgery can be considered medically necessary. Is that a possibility? For example, breast reduction can be necessary due to back pain, and I knew someone whose eyelids were so baggy they were affecting her ability to see, so her cosmetic surgery was considered medically necessary.

Funny you say that! I just checked our plan and it only covers plastic surgery that is medically necessary.

 

[kwelch10377]

This isn't for me, it is for a co-worker.

She does not need the surgery. She had gastic bypass and wants to get rid extra skin and get her breasts done. She admittingly does not have to get this done.

My co-worker and I are just picturing this whole thing to be a drama filled situation, as is everything else with her.

 

[tlbwriter]

My co-worker and I are just picturing this whole thing to be a drama filled situation, as is everything else with her.

Well, if it's entertaining drama, be sure to share it with us!

 

[golfgal]

It must depend on your policy. Aaflac specifically excludes cosmetic surgery, at least in my state.

ETA: In reply to the post above mine, Aaflac also excludes dental surgery unless it was due to an injury. Looks like you were lucky not to have Aaflac!

AFLAC is not real insurance, it is a case specific reimbursement policy, there is a HUGE difference.

OP, it may or may not be covered. This would be policy specific and the only way to know for sure is to ask the claims rep for the STD company. Have her call today and ask.

 

[tlbwriter]

AFLAC is not real insurance, it is a case specific reimbursement policy, there is a HUGE difference.

Okay, sorry, not my area of expertise. I just googled short term disability policies and they came up. And I love the duck.

 

[kwelch10377]

Well, if it's entertaining drama, be sure to share it with us!

Oh I will. The short of the current story is that she is married to a woman and is currently dating another woman who is married to a man and has two kids (who are friends with my co-workers nieces). She wants to get this surgery done for her new girlfriend.

My co-worker is know to take advantage of her time off and always goes over what is given. My boss is going to flip out when she gets wind of this, especially since my co-worker will also have to be out 4-6 week for surgery on her tailbone at some point this year.

 

[jen0610]

This isn't for me, it is for a co-worker.

She does not need the surgery. She had gastic bypass and wants to get rid extra skin and get her breasts done. She admittingly does not have to get this done.

My co-worker and I are just picturing this whole thing to be a drama filled situation, as is everything else with her.

For our std here, this would be covered. But only because of the first surgery. For whatever reason, if you do gastic bypass and lose enough weight to cause excessive skin hangage, that qualifies you for std on fixing that medical issue which was caused by the previous surgery. They consider the health issues that can arise from having to deal with excessive loose skin a medical health condition.

Also, if the person was also getting their breasts done to fix sag - ie a breast lift, that would also be covered for the same reasons. BUT if there were going to be implants used, then no that would be covered as a seperate surgery. BUT - and this is the catch - if the person was having both done at the same time, the std would cover surgery involving implants. Only if the two surgeries were done seperatly would the implants not be covered.

 

[HM]

I had trouble getting short term disability coverage when I was pregnant 16 yrs ago and put on bed rest. Never was able to get my time off covered. (I dropped my coverage after that, not paying for something that won't be of use to me when I need it). I'm pretty sure elective plastic surgery would have been out on our plan too.