Let's be clear in what we mean by "disability insurance covering your tummy tuck." The State of California disability plan will NOT cover any of the actual costs of your surgery. It is a cosmetic procedure, and you are responsible for that. What it will cover is paying a portion of your salary while you are unable to work and your surgeon certifies that you are "completely disabled," meaning unable to perform the duties of your usual and customary occupation, even with limitations and restrictions. It pays you 55% of your usual wages, calculated using their formula, and it doesn't start until you have been disabled for a week. That is, from the 8th day of disability onward, you will get benefits. Your doctor has to keep updating your request as long as you stay disabled, and the maximum it can last is 52 weeks (I would hope most elective cosmetic patients return to work far sooner than that). There you have it. I know this is true because I have had to fill out more of these papers than I like to for my own patients over the years - not that I don't want to help my patients, I love my patients, I just hate paperwork!! Good luck.