| It can be extremely difficult to obtain; to find out your | | | | protected under the auspices of a federal act, the |
| options, you really need to speak with an experienced | | | | Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). |
| health insurance broker. It's not totally impossible to | | | | Note that the federal act does two things. First, it |
| obtain, but there are some qualifications and restrictions | | | | requires certain employers to provide parenting, family |
| that aren't understood by many insurance applicants. | | | | and medical leave for qualified employees. Second, it |
| Why is maternity leave difficult to obtain? If you | | | | sets the cap for unpaid medical leave at a maximum |
| happen to be the beneficiary of group health insurance | | | | of twelve weeks for qualified employees. The key is |
| that has maternity leave as one of the benefits, then | | | | being qualified. A person must be working at a |
| you are in fairly good shape. However, if you are | | | | company with 50 or more workers, and must have |
| searching for individual insurance, you're well aware | | | | worked there for at least one year and at least 1,250 |
| that maternity leave often isn't covered under | | | | hours during the year before taking leave. |
| common insurance plans. Again it is not totally | | | | This kind of leave does apply equally to men or |
| impossible to get, you just need to be aware of the | | | | women and covers situations like birth or adoption, |
| parameters of your coverage. Coverage for maternity | | | | acquiring foster children, taking care of a seriously ill |
| leave is difficult to obtain, as many insurance | | | | family member or dealing with a serious health |
| companies would prefer to decline offering this kind of | | | | situation. Those using FMLA leave provisions are not |
| benefit on an individual basis as opposed to a group | | | | entitled to the same benefits while on leave; however, |
| medical insurance situation. | | | | benefits acquired prior to the leave stay with the |
| Employers are required to treat pregnant women the | | | | employee. |
| same as other workers who can't perform their usual | | | | To find out how an individual may apply for maternity |
| work for a period of time. For example, if the boss | | | | leave benefits, as well as the qualifications and |
| allows a worker medical leave for a broken arm or | | | | requirements, contact your local insurance broker for |
| pneumonia, pregnant women must get leave under the | | | | information. |
| same terms and conditions. Leave of this nature is | | | | |