Does Short-Term Disability Insurance Cover Elective Surgery? – Can you get disability for elective surgery?

Does short-term disability insurance cover elective surgery? Nowadays, disability insurance for physicians has become a must for many professionals in the medical field, but still, many people wonder whether should doctors get disability insurance because not all of them cover elective surgery, which is something they might need in worst-case scenarios. If I am a practicing physician, how much disability insurance for physicians do I need, if it won’t cover surgeries? What do I do?

Does Short-Term Disability Insurance Cover Elective Surgery?

If you’re curious about whether your insurance may or may not cover elective surgery, we recommend you to read below. We’ll cover the basics behind the relationship between insurance and emergency surgeries, whether you can apply for them and other details you need to know.

Does disability insurance cover elective surgery?

Short answer, yes. But sadly, not all insurances do. Insurance providers say it depends on your employer and the time-off you need to take. However,

there’s a way you can benefit from short-term insurances in America:

• Some states, such as California, New Jersey, and New York, mandate employers to provide short-term disability insurance, while others provide coverage through state funds. If you live in any of these states, talk to your HR department and ask for more details about your coverage.
• In states that don’t ask for insurance coverage, employers may offer it, although not all of them pay for it fully. You’ll have to ask if their insurances cover elective surgery as well.
• If you pay for your own disability insurance for physicians, get in touch with your insurance provider and discuss about elective surgeries coverages.

What Surgery Does Short-term Disability Insurance Cover?

Not all disability insurance for physicians are the same. That’s why some exclude what others might take for granted.

Because short-term insurance plans pay out a percentage of your income as a replacement for your lost wage, some don’t cover elective surgeries such as cosmetic surgeries and appendectomy, while others, if not most, won’t even consider surgeries for a pre-existing condition. 

The only condition for your insurance to consider covering surgery is if it’s an actual emergency. For example, caesarean section delivery, hip or knee replacement, open heart surgery, removal of the gallbladder, and anything involving fractured bones are operations that short-term disability insurance plans could cover.

Can You Claim Medical Operations with your Short-Term Disability Plan?

Yes, but it depends on how you got your disability insurance program. If you need a surgery right away, you’ll have to contact your HR department or your insurance provider immediately and fill in some documents so they can begin the process. The maximum number of days you’ll have to wait before you get a response is 7 days.

Last Considerations

Can I get disability for a short time due to surgery?

Yes, and your time off will be covered by a short-term disability program.

What is covered by disability insurance?

Disability insurance for physicians works as a means of replacing a physician’s income during a time off caused by disability which prevents them from working. It will be your income’s source during your disability period. Therapy, like EMDR therapy or psychotherapy, may not be covered by disability insurance, so it is best to ask your insurance provider what is covered. 

What is disability insurance for physicians?

Disability insurance for physicians protects medical professionals’ source income if they’re no longer able to perform their job due to an injury or illness.

So, does short-term disability insurance cover elective surgery? Yes and no – it largely depends on your employer or insurance provider, but in most cases, they will cover what they deem is an emergency situation. So, should doctors get disability insurance despite of this? Yes, because it will still serve as an income support during your time off, so it’s a great investment. But then, how much disability insurance for physicians do I need? Experts suggest that policies should cover around 60-65% of your after-tax income, so your disability insurance for physicians will certainly take care of you during your disability period.