Denial of STD insurance after payroll deductions of STD insurance.

[light_tim]

What is the name of your state? Illinois
2002
Jan.28 completed forms & rqstd STD insurance to commence.
Feb.4/5 - Rcvd n Completed statement of health from Metlife
Feb.27 - STD deduction 1st appeared on paycheck stub
March 15 - Diagnosed as pregnant!
April 9 - Rcvd Physical Exam rqst from Metlife
April 26 - Submitted completed exam from obstetrician.
May 15 - Paycheck showed STD credit
May 17 - Rcvd letter from Metlife with STD denial due to pregnancy.

I initally applied for STD when I was not pregnant. I payed for the insurance, I assumed I was approved.

Is there anyway I can appeal this? Or is it a waste of time?

 

[ALawyer]

Usually STD is provided by the employer without deductions as such. And what puzzles me is the courts have ruled that an employer can not treat disability caused by pregnancy different from other disability. So my sense is you bought OPTIONAL, individual disability thru payroll deduction, probably via worksite marketing.


What you bought is the policy, with any and all of its limitations and conditions. If pregnancy related disability is not covered, or requires a waiting period, then you're not covered under its terms. If it is not an employer provided coverage, that's probably very legal.