Open Enrollment Tips for Moms Expecting in 2026 From a HR Professional

Open enrollment season is here! Now through early November (depending on your employer and healthcare provider), hopeful parents and parents-to-be get the chance to make changes to their health insurance and employee benefits. And while sorting through benefit options can feel confusing, it pays (literally) to take the time to make sure you have the coverage you need during one of life’s most exciting and expensive seasons.

To help parents wade through the piles of paperwork and confusing language, Lena (@sunnylena), a Minnesota mom and human resources professional, recently put together a now-viral video sharing what people who plan on having a baby in 2026 should opt into and watch out for during open enrollment.

Enroll in Short-Term Disability

The US still lags behind as the only high-income country not to offer federal paid family leave. If your employer does not offer paid maternity leave, you could be out of wages or forced to go back to work before you’re ready. Your saving grace may come in the form of short-term disability instead. Short-term disability can pay a portion of your income for six weeks following a vaginal birth or eight weeks after a C-section.

Even if your maternity leave is fully covered, Lena still recommends enrolling. “If you end up having complications after birth, or get into a car accident or something unexpected happens, it also covers you for that,” she explains.

Look Into Hospital Indemnity Insurance

This is not the same as accident insurance. “You’re looking for hospital coverage or hospital indemnity insurance,” Lena says. “It basically gives you money for being admitted to the hospital.” Before enrolling, read the one-pager (usually a simple bullet-point sheet) to confirm that childbirth is covered. After delivery and discharge, you can submit a claim to receive payment for your hospital stay.

Lena adds that new parents should also add their baby to their insurance immediately after birth. “Your baby will be back-covered and eligible for additional money,” she says. “In my case, I was in the hospital for four days and got about $2,000, plus another $600 for my baby.”

Check Your State’s Paid Family Leave Options

While the US may not offer federal paid leave, several states are leading the charge in offering paid family and medical leave programs separate from employer benefits. “Minnesota is adding this in 2026,” Lena notes, “and there are about six or seven other states that already have it.” These programs can provide additional income during your recovery, time off for your partner and more, so it’s worth confirming what coverage your state offers and how to apply.

Hear more tips from real parents on how to prepare for your family’s future when it comes to money, health and more.