More proactive benefit payouts possible with Benefit Assist

Employees may not know they’re eligible to receive benefits from their short-term disability or supplemental health plan. Benefit Assist®helps close the gaps.

April 29, 2026

Video

A recent survey found that 57% of Americans currently live paycheck to paycheck.¹ So when an employee experiences a major or unexpected health event that results in a leave of absence from work, the lost wages associated with the leave in addition to the resulting medical bills can lead to significant financial stress.

One of the ways employers can help ease this financial strain is to offer short-term disability benefits and supplemental health benefits such as Accident, Critical Illness or Hospital Indemnity.

90%

of supplemental health claims were initiated by UnitedHealthcare Benefit Assist technology²

These benefit plans provide employees additional coverage for qualifying health events such as heart attacks, strokes, giving birth or hospitalizations. And if those benefits are administered by UnitedHealthcare along with a UnitedHealthcare medical plan, UnitedHealthcare Benefit Assist takes that support a step further.

Utilizing a combination of proprietary technology and benefit advocates, Benefit Assist identifies eligible claims to proactively identify eligible short-term disability or supplemental health claims and will automatically pay a member their benefit. Or, when that’s not possible, prompts an advocate to inform the employee about their potential benefit and help them submit the claim.

How does Benefit Assist Work?

For employees who have a qualifying UnitedHealthcare medical plan and eligible short-term disability or eligible supplemental health plan:

Video transcript

A blue U with three stripes appears on the screen. It starts to wiggle and moves offscreen to reveal an animation of 3 blue circles. One with a stethoscope in the circle, one with a hospital bed, and one with crutches. A female announcer speaks. Music plays throughout.

ANNOUNCER: When a diagnosis, hospital stay, or accident occurs, it's good to know you've got UnitedHealthcare Benefit Assist on your side.

The animation dissolves to reveal blue text on a white background.

ON SCREEN TEXT:

Benefit Assist simplify your claims process get your eligible benefits

ANNOUNCER: Benefit Assist is a program designed to help both simplify your claims process and get you the benefits you're eligible for so you can focus on what's most important, getting well.

The text dissolves to reveal two arms creating a heart with its hands. The hands dissolve to reveal white text over a blue background.

ON SCREEN TEXT:

Health + Supplemental = Benefit plan Assist

ANNOUNCER: You're eligible for Benefit Assist if you're enrolled in a health plan and have a UnitedHealthcare supplemental plan, like accident, critical illness, or hospital indemnity, and it's included at no additional cost. So how does Benefit Assist work?

The screen dissolves to an animation of a file folder on the left and a wallet on the right. They then dissolve top reveal a computer on a desk with a cup of tea. The announcer continues speaking.

ANNOUNCER: Through two proactive measures, one involving the claims process, the other automatic payouts. Benefit Assist keeps an eye out for medical claims that qualify you for a potential supplemental benefit payout. When one is found, a Benefit Assistant reaches out to you to help submit the claim so you can get your benefit payout quickly.

The animations dissolves to an animation of a cellphone being held by a hand. It then dissolves to two blue circles over a white background. One circle has a flower in it, the other a hospital bed. The circle then flip to yellow with a blue checkmark in each. The announcer continues.

ANNOUNCER: Most wellness and hospital indemnity claims are paid automatically, along with many accident protection and critical illness claims.

The animation dissolves to an envelope being put in a mailbox. It then dissolves to an orange arrow showing progress.

ANNOUNCER: Benefit Assist identifies the eligible medical event and mails out a check directly to you. Here, there's no need to file a claim or even wait for someone to contact you because the process is already underway with Benefit Assist in your corner.

The animation dissolves to a yellow circle with a blue checkmark in the center. The announcer continues.

ANNOUNCER: If additional information is needed, UnitedHealthcare will contact you and submit the claim on your behalf.

The screen dissolves to blue text over a white background.

ON SCREEN TEXT:

The claims process is simplified helping you get your benefits when they’re needed most

ANNOUNCER: The claims process is simplified, helping you get your benefits when they're needed most.

Three blue stripes wiggle on to the screen and form a U. It dissolves to reveal blue text over a white background in the center of the screen, then to gray text on the screen. The music fades.

ON SCREEN TEXT:

UnitedHealthcare

Not for use in AZ, NM and NY.

Benefit Assist support is available at no additional cost to groups with a health plan and supplemental health plan from UnitedHealthcare. Benefit payments associated with the Supplemental Health Plan Benefit Assist program are subject to eligibility requirements and benefits outlined in your UnitedHealthcare policy. For more details, contact your broker or UnitedHealthcare sales representative.

Specialty benefits and programs may not be available in all states or for all group sizes. Components subject to change. These policies have exclusions, limitations and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete coverage details, contact your company or UnitedHealthcare.

UnitedHealthcare Accident Protection product is provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. The policies have exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, call or write your insurance agent or the company. Some products are not available in all states. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company is located in Hartford, CT.

UnitedHealthcare Critical Illness product is provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. Critical Illness coverage is NOT considered "minimum essential coverage" under the Affordable Care Act and therefore does NOT satisfy the mandate to have health insurance coverage. Failure to have other health insurance coverage may be subject to a tax penalty. Please consult a tax advisor. The policies have exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, call or write your insurance agent or the company. Some products are not available in all states. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company is located in Hartford, CT.

UnitedHealthcare Hospital Indemnity product is provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. The product provides a limited benefit for certain hospital indemnity plan benefits. Please note: HOSPITAL INDEMNITY coverage is NOT considered "minimum essential coverage" under the Affordable Care Act and therefore does NOT satisfy the mandate to have health insurance coverage. Failure to have other health insurance coverage may be subject to a tax penalty. Please consult a tax advisor. The policy has exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, call or write your insurance agent or the company. This product is not available in all states. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company is located in Hartford, CT.

© 2024 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 24-3600723

EI232112019.1 10/24

With Benefit Assist® for Supplemental Health, the majority of time, employees qualifying for eligible supplemental claims don’t have to take any action. A benefit check will be sent directly to them. These benefits can be used however the member would like including paying for out-of-pocket medical costs and other everyday expenses like groceries, rent and transportation.

Video transcript

The video opens with colorful, flat animation on a dark blue background that represents a night sky with light blue, textured clouds. An animated white stork with a blue-striped tail flies across the screen from left to right. It carries a yellow bundle in its orange beak, the classic image of a stork delivering a baby. Upbeat music plays throughout.

FEMALE VOICEOVER: When expecting a baby, there are names to pick,

The animation transitions to a shelf against the dark blue background. On the shelf, a red teddy bear, a colorful striped ball, and a multi-colored stacking ring toy appear.

FEMALE VOICEOVER: nurseries to prep,

The scene changes to show an animated teal diaper bag. A pacifier and a rattle appear next to it.

FEMALE VOICEOVER: diaper bags to pack.

A teal file folder appears next to the diaper bag. It opens to reveal a white form with the word "Claim" at the top. An animated orange hand with a light blue sleeve cuff reaches into the folder and pulls the claim form out, removing it from the screen.

FEMALE VOICEOVER: But filing a claim for short-term disability maternity leave?

ON-SCREEN TEXT: Claim

FEMALE VOICEOVER: That shouldn't be on your list.

The screen becomes white. Dark blue text appears in the center.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: Benefit Assist® for Maternity Leave

FEMALE VOICEOVER: It's good to know that United Healthcare Benefit Assist for maternity leave handles the whole process for you...

Three animated building blocks appear in a pyramid shape. The top block is dark blue with the UHC logo. The bottom two are light blue with a heart and orange with a circle. They fall and are replaced by yellow blocks, each with a dollar sign. Then, three empty checkboxes appear. They are checked off one by one as the narrator speaks.

FEMALE VOICEOVER: ...and gets your benefit payment to you faster. No forms to fill out, no phone calls to make, no to-dos for you.

The screen turns white. Dark blue text appears.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: How does it work?

FEMALE VOICEOVER: How does it work?

The screen is light blue. A yellow animated hand holds up a white insurance card. The card and text slide to the left, and a dark blue wallet appears on the right. A gold coin flips through the air and drops into the wallet.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: Short-term Disability

FEMALE VOICEOVER: If you're a United Healthcare health plan member enrolled in an eligible short-term disability plan, Benefit Assist for maternity leave is included at no additional cost.

The screen turns dark blue. An animation of a pair of teal binoculars appears. They focus on two blurry claim forms, which then come into clear view. The lenses of the binoculars then turn yellow, indicating something has been spotted. The scene shifts to a computer monitor showing a claim form. A large yellow circle with a teal checkmark appears over the form. The scene then shows a white envelope being sealed, which then flies into a blue mailbox against a light blue sky.

FEMALE VOICEOVER: We keep an eye out for medical claims that show you're eligible for a maternity leave payment. Once we spot one, like a claim that indicates an expected delivery date, we file the paperwork. Soon, you'll receive a check in the mail with your standard leave payment.

The screen is white. Dark blue text appears.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: 6 weeks for non-C-section delivery

FEMALE VOICEOVER: That's a six-week benefit payment for a non-C-section delivery...

ON-SCREEN TEXT: 8 weeks for a planned C-section

FEMALE VOICEOVER: ...and eight weeks for a planned C-section.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: Unplanned C-section?

FEMALE VOICEOVER: If you have an unplanned C-section, we'll work with you to help get the full eight-week benefit payment.

The screen dissolves to dark blue with large white text.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: Up to 30 days* prior to delivery

*Timing of benefit payment is contingent on timeliness of provider billing to UnitedHealthcare.

FEMALE VOICEOVER: Best of all, your check will arrive up to 30 days before you deliver.

An animated stork carrying the yellow bundle flies across the screen again. A white envelope flies alongside it, keeping pace.

FEMALE VOICEOVER: That way, you should have your payment before it's baby time.

The screen dissolves to white with blue text.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: Hospital Indemnity Protection

FEMALE VOICEOVER: And if you're enrolled in United Healthcare Hospital Indemnity Protection...

The screen turns light blue. An open envelope shows a bar graph inside. The envelope closes, and the scene transitions to the blue mailbox, which opens and dings as if a new message has arrived.

FEMALE VOICEOVER: ...after a hospital stay, you can look forward to getting an additional benefit payment automatically sent to you with no work needed on your part.

A flowing animation of blue, teal, and orange ribbons moves across the screen. Text appears in dark blue.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: Take care of what really matters

FEMALE VOICEOVER: From start to finish, Benefit Assist for maternity leave takes care of the claims process. So you can take care of what really matters.

The screen dissolves to white with dark blue text.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: Talk to your Human Resource representative for more information

The video ends with the UHC logo on a white background, followed by a final screen with gray text. Music fades.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: Not For Use In New Mexico and New York.

Benefit Assist® for Maternity Leave is available at no additional cost to customers with a UnitedHealthcare medical plan and eligible UnitedHealthcare short-term disability plan.

Benefit payments associated with the Benefit Assist for Maternity Leave program are subject to eligibility requirements and benefits outlined in your UnitedHealthcare short-term disability policy. Benefit Assist for Maternity Leave is not available for New York sitused customers. For more details, contact your broker or UnitedHealthcare sales representative.

THIS IS A LIMITED BENEFIT POLICY.

This information does not replace your official health plan documents. Please see your official health plan documents for all coverage details, which includes limitations and exclusions. The policies have exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, call or write the company.

UnitedHealthcare Hospital Indemnity product is provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. The product provides a limited benefit for certain hospital indemnity plan benefits.

Please note: HOSPITAL INDEMNITY coverage is NOT considered "minimum essential coverage" under the Affordable Care Act and therefore does NOT satisfy the mandate to have health insurance coverage. Failure to have other health insurance coverage may be subject to a tax penalty. Please consult a tax advisor. The policy has exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, call or write your insurance agent or the company.

This product is not available in all states. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company is located in Hartford, CT.

© 2025 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 25-4149900-B

EI254166168 7/25

Benefit Assist® for Maternity Leave sends short-term disability maternity leave payments up to 30 days prior to expected delivery date — allowing families to focus on preparing to welcome their new addition, rather than on the paperwork involved with submitting claims.

In addition to getting employees paid faster, Benefit Assist has also been found to increase employees’ benefit utilization (per 1,000 enrolled), driving a:²

More than 527% increase in Accident Protection claims - including for burns, fractures and eye injuries
More than 175% increase in Critical Illness claims - including for cancer, heart attacks and strokes
More than 158% increase in Hospital Indemnity claims - including for labor/delivery, trauma and ICU stays

With our Benefit Assist technology, employers can understand that their employees aren’t missing out on potential benefits payout, with the goal for employees to experience a simpler, more streamlined and efficient benefit process that allows them to focus on recovery and their eventual return to work.

Learn how UnitedHealthcare supports a whole-person health approach

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Footnotes

Haverstic, C. 57% of Americans Live Paycheck to Paycheck in 2025 based on a survey of 2,000 American adults. MarketWatch, May 14, 2025. Available: https://www.marketwatch.com/financial-guides/banking/paycheck-to-paycheck-statistics/.
Based on UHC book of business performance as of December 2025.

Disclaimers

NOT FOR USE IN NEW MEXICO AND NEW YORK.

Benefit Assist for Maternity Leave is available at no additional cost to customers with a UnitedHealthcare fully insured medical plan and UnitedHealthcare short-term disability plan. Benefit payments associated with the Benefit Assist for Maternity Leave program are subject to eligibility requirements and benefits outlined in your UnitedHealthcare short-term disability policy. Benefit Assist for Maternity Leave is not available for New York sitused customers. For more details, contact your broker or UnitedHealthcare sales representative.

Benefit Assist support is available at no additional cost to groups with a health plan and supplemental health plan from UnitedHealthcare. Benefit payments associated with the Supplemental Health Plan Benefit Assist program are subject to eligibility requirements and benefits outlined in your UnitedHealthcare policy. For more details, contact your broker or UnitedHealthcare sales representative.

Benefit Assist for Supplemental Health is available at no additional cost to groups with a health plan and supplemental health plan from UnitedHealthcare. Benefit payments associated with the Supplemental Health Plan Benefit Assist program are subject to eligibility requirements and benefits outlined in your UnitedHealthcare policy. For more details, contact your broker or UnitedHealthcare sales representative. ACCIDENT PROTECTION, CRITICAL ILLNESS, AND HOSPITAL INDEMNITY ARE LIMITED BENEFIT POLICIES. This information does not replace your official health plan documents. Please see your official health plan documents for all coverage details, which includes limitations and exclusions. These policies have exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, call or write the company. These policies do not meet the definition of minimum essential coverage and therefore should not be used as a substitute for major health insurance. UnitedHealthcare Supplemental Health Plan products are provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. Supplemental Health products are provided on policy forms UHCAC-POL-1 (01/12) et al., UHI-ACC-POL (2018) et al., UHICI-POL-1 et al., UHI-CIPP-POL et al., and UHIHIP-POL et al., in Texas on forms UHCAC-POL-1-TX (01/12) et al., UHI-ACC-POL-TX (2018) et al., UHI-APP-POL-TX et al., UHICI-POL-1 et al., UHI-CIPP-POL-TX et al., and UHIHIP-POL-TX et al., and in Virginia on forms UHCAC-POL-1-VA (01/12) et al., UHI-ACC-POL-VA (2018) et al., UHI-APP-POL-VA et al., UHICI-POL-1-VA et al., UHI-CIPP-POL-VA et al., and UHIHIP-POL-VA et al. The policies have exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, call or write your insurance agent or the company. Some products are not available in all states. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company is located in Hartford, CT.

Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates.