Kaiser PPD/PPA disability

Thanks for sharing your experience so far! I’m here to learn about others experience too as I’m hoping to receive an SDI extension for PPD/PPA. I’m currently working with the psychiatry department to see what my options will be.

I don't have kaiser but went through some similar stuff. Basically I quit my job because I couldn't afford day care and with my babies rough delivery I couldn't work full time. I tried to get more time but I was denied due to quitting my job. I hemorrhage pretty bad due to staff not taking the time to check on me. My baby was hurt during delivery they pulled his arm and over extended his nerve and couldn't move arm there was 50/50 he would be able to move his arm n would need nerve surgery. Had extra vein in his heart born with one kidney. Didn't find this out until we almost left hospital. And 3 weeks later I end in the er do gallbladder inflamed. I had anxiety, postpartum depression, family issues , so much going on and was denied more time. Was told because I quit my job I couldn't get more time even though me n my baby had complications. 🫠

@Susy omg!!!! I’m so sorry that happened to you!!!!!! Our health care system really seems to not care about mothers or our struggles !!

I also have kaiser and had my 6 week postpartum appt last Friday. My OB said they were only allowed to extend disability by 2 weeks so the fact that they gave you an extra 8 weeks is amazing! I also have a history of anxiety and even with knowing that she said only 2 extra weeks. Just today I made an psychiatric appt and am hoping they can help me extend my disability with pay. There is no way I am okay to return to work soon...idk what I'm going to do, I feel like a hot mess emotionally

They should approve if it is PPD or something physical but if you are scoring low in anxiety or depression scale they will not extend. At that point everyone would qualify that is the issue. Based on my understanding

Have you looked into baby bonding? I got an additional 12 weeks on top of my eight weeks (C section). By law in California we get baby bonding after our maternity leave. It doesn’t have to be used right away either you can use it up to their 1st birthday.

@Karla I am familiar with the baby bonding, I used the time with my first son. However, I know in California we are able to qualify for up to 52 weeks of disability if needed. Surely I hope I won’t need that long, but even with the medications they’ve given me, I’m struggling a lot more this time around post partum.

I was able to join a postpartum anxiety/depression group therapy and they extended me six weeks. It was a 2hr twice a week zoom meeting and they gave me an updates doctors note each week. I’m guessing all Kaiser’s do this?

Do you have a PCP? I’ve heard more people having success extending through a PCP at Kaiser while they wait to talk to a psychiatrist. For what it’s worth, they have been cracking down on people extending the full disability. My OB (not Kaiser) was only able to extend me 2 1/2 weeks and he even told me the state has been pressuring OBs to get PPD extended by psychiatrists instead.

My pdl was extended an additional 6 weeks with kaiser for PPD. But I had to join a PP mom group. It wasn't so bad, we had meetings on zoom 2 times a week. Eventually my psychiatrist stepped in and said I needed to go back. 😒

I have kaiser and they would not approve me being off for PPD/PPA. I have not heard any successful stories with them approving a longer leave. I had to go to an outside provider who would approve me to be off work. You may have to seek medical attention out of Kaiser if you want to be off longer. Best of luck.

I have Kaiser, I actually work for Kaiser too… and even though my Ob agreed that no one would be ready to return to work by week 6 given the newborn chaos and that I have mild PPD/A, she would not extend my PDL but she did refer me to Maternal Infant Resilience program which is part of the mental health department, but psychologists run not psychiatrist. I’d say I have mild PPD/A. Anyway end of the day, just no extension :/ I gave up on asking because I just applied PFL directly. But if I didn’t have PFL I would put in more effort to fight for more time

I have Kaiser and am currently on leave for depression and anxiety ..I had to see a psychiatrist and agree to medication treatment. Also the longer you’re on leave the more therapy appointments you’ll have to have with a therapist (virtual ) to justify the leave at some point ..

Personally I just trash the meds . I need the time off for my child but I don’t agree with medicating so I agreed because I had to .

My advice: yes, you can try to meet with a psychologist and explain your symptoms. Also answer the questionnaire correctly before the appointment, because the doctor will check your answers and after that he will be able to guess what is going on. I have a problem with Kaiser to extend, because none of them want to be responsible for the extension.

Hello ladies, I currently work in the mental health field so I am going to provide insight. Kaiser, with personal experience they will extend your disability but your symptoms have to be severe. Now they will make you go through various hoops someone one on here said they were triaged that’s usually the first step. You must see a therapist or psychiatrist to certify SDI. SDI in CA can be provided (my expert area) for up to 52 weeks and it is given before you file for PFL. You need a licensed psychiatrist, LMFT, LCSW, psychologist, Chiropractor, are some of the few besides a PCP who can certify the medical portion of SDI. Some of you mentioned Kaiser if you’re able go outside of Kaiser it may be less stressful. I say this from personal experience. So basically you just need to find a medical professional that is compassionate and willing to certify the medical portion of SDI. Send me message if you need more details. I hope this helps!