Frequently asked questions about Juno
At Juno, we envision a world where every parent has the support and resources they need for their children to reach their full potential.
We’ve put together our most frequently asked questions to help you understand more about Juno and how it can make a difference for families and employers.
How can I contact Juno with questions?
You can reach our sales team at sales@junokids.com. For billing inquiries, please call us at (833) 833-0609 or send a note to billing@junokids.com.
How do you determine our premium and what is the typical cost per employee?
Premium is based on the number of enrolled employees and children and their ages, among a number of other factors. We offer a variety of coverage levels and funding options, including both non-contributory and contributory designs. Please contact us at sales@junokids.com to learn more about options for offering this important new financial protection to your employees.
Is there a cost to the employee?
We have the flexibility to support a variety of funding and enrollment methods, including contributory plans where a portion of the cost is passed to employees via payroll deductions.
Is Juno simple to implement? Does it follow the same open enrollment as traditional insurance?
Juno is easy to implement, with a simple application and the same census information you use for your major medical insurance.
While many employers choose to match their child disability insurance start date with those of their other benefits, plans can start at any time. If you opt for a non-contributory plan, there is no enrollment process for employees.
We also provide a number of internal communication and marketing resources to make it easy to share this exciting new benefit with your employees.
If an employee leaves the company, do we continue to pay premium?
No. When an employee leaves you do not need to continue to pay premium. Even so, if that employee is receiving monthly benefits, as long as their child continues to qualify their benefits will continue.
Where is Juno available?
Juno is currently available to qualifying employers located in nearly all U.S. states and available to employees in every state, D.C., and Canada. Please contact us at sales@junokids.com if you are interested in bringing Juno to your people.
What is the minimum number of employees required to participate in the benefit?
200. Companies below this threshold can get Juno through a PEO partner – if you are a part of a PEO or considering joining a PEO, ask your PEO about Juno today.
How is Juno so low-cost?
Because Juno insures for very rare, high-severity events, we are able to keep our premium low and our benefits rich. Unlike car insurance or health insurance which have a much higher rate of incidence, a much higher premium, and a much lower average benefit, child disability insurance protects against the financial consequences of severe illnesses, rare diseases, and disabilities in children that are individually uncommon, but collectively affect more than one percent of all American families.
Are there different benefit levels we can choose?
Yes, we currently offer per child lifetime maximum benefit levels of $250,000 and $500,000. We can also optionally include lump-sum benefits that cover certain acute health events.
If you have questions about coverage options or benefit levels, please get in touch at sales@junokids.com.
Do children need to be on an employee's health insurance to be covered?
No. As long as an employee has Juno coverage, their children from birth to age 26 are automatically covered regardless of whether their children are enrolled in your employer-sponsored health insurance.
What does Juno do for employees without children?
Nearly half of all employees are parents, and more than 90% of employees want to or will be a parent by age 45. Juno protects employees from financial hardships due to a child’s severe illness or disability. This includes employees who might become parents in the future due to the birth, adoption, or fostering of a child or a marriage to a parent who already has children. Even for employees who may never have kids, the impact of a coworker’s child with a severe disability has a lasting effect on a team’s productivity and morale, and how a company helps employees in need reverberates across an organization.
Is Juno a public benefit corporation (PBC)?
Yes. Juno is a Public Benefit Corporation. One of our commitments is, in addition to the benefit provided by our core coverage, we donate a significant portion of our revenue to supporting pediatric rare disease research and charities for children and families with special needs. You can read more about our mission here.
Is Juno an insurance company?
No. Juno developed child disability insurance and is responsible for bringing Juno to market and delivering an excellent member experience. We’ve partnered with a number of A-rated insurance and reinsurance companies that provide the insurance coverage and are responsible for paying claims.
How does Juno help organizations?
Today’s competitive market for top talent makes innovative family benefits more important than ever. Juno provides a natural next step to family-forming benefits by helping to support working parents not just to but through parenthood. Juno can help attract and retain talent by providing all parents with peace of mind and – for those impacted by a child’s severe disability – potentially life-changing benefits. Because the care of children with serious illness or disability often falls more heavily on women, Juno can also demonstrate your commitment to gender equity and women’s career advancement.
If you would like to hear a Total Rewards executive talking about the benefits of Juno, along with her personal story, please see this video.
If you have further questions about the business case for Juno and why leading companies are adopting this new benefit, please contact us at sales@junokids.com.
How do I know if my child qualifies for Juno benefits?
Juno covers severe disability in kids – from accidents and injuries to cancer, rare diseases, and developmental and neurological disorders. Your child may qualify for long-term benefits if they have a severe intellectual or physical limitation, or complex medical or caregiving needs compared to children of the same age, are hospitalized for more than 30 days, or are diagnosed with one of over 150 specifically listed conditions and circumstances that qualify for benefits. The most common listed conditions include:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Down syndrome
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- Cancer
Depending on the coverage your employer offers, Juno can also provide lump-sum payments for significant acute health events including hospitalization lasting more than 7 days, heart attack, stroke, loss of limb, and severe burns.
Qualification for benefits is subject to certain exclusions and limitations. Conditions diagnosed or known prior to the start of coverage are not eligible for benefits.
What does Juno not cover?
Juno provides financial benefits and one-on-one support to assist parents with caregiving and other expenses related to the most severe forms of child illness, injury, and disability. In many cases, these conditions are expected to require significant support for long periods of time, often permanently.
While no condition, including a pre-existing condition, causes a child to lose coverage, there are a number of common conditions that are unlikely on their own to qualify for a benefit, including:
- Asthma, allergies, ADHD, or dyslexia
- Urgent care and emergency room visits
- Outpatient surgeries
- Lower IQ or mild intellectual disability
- Developmental delays in speech or walking
- Well-controlled epilepsy
- Cerebral palsy GMFCS levels 1-2
- Autism DSM-5 levels 1-2
- Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other behavioral disorders and mental health conditions
If your child has one or more of these conditions, your company likely offers benefits that can help, including comprehensive major medical, mental health, and advocacy services to assist you and your family – please ask your HR department. Our resources page also has a number of helpful resources.
Does Juno cover pre-existing conditions?
Children with a pre-existing condition are eligible for:
- Long-term benefits unrelated to the pre-existing condition
- Lump-sum benefits for significant acute health events, if provided under your plan
Children with a pre-existing condition are not eligible for:
- Long-term benefits related to the pre-existing condition
If your child has a pre-existing condition or disability, your company may offer advocacy services to help – please ask your HR department. Our resources page also has a number of helpful resources.
What does Juno consider a pre-existing condition?
A pre-existing condition for Juno is a disorder, condition, disease, injury, or significant developmental functional limitation that existed during a specified period (one or two years) immediately prior to the start of coverage. A condition that existed in utero before coverage began may be a pre-existing condition.
Does Juno cover autism?
Children who were diagnosed with autism or had significant developmental functional limitations prior to the start of their coverage are not eligible for long-term benefits for those conditions. Children with severe autism that first manifests after their coverage starts may receive Juno benefits related to autism if they have significant limitations in mobility, activities of daily living, and/or social or cognitive function compared to other children of the same age.
As always, all covered children, whether diagnosed with autism or any other pre-existing condition, are eligible for all long-term benefits not related to those conditions.
Does Juno cover mental health conditions?
A diagnosis of a mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety, does not alone qualify a child for payment. However, a mental health condition may, on its own or in combination with other conditions, result in severely impaired functioning that may qualify for benefits. In addition, a mental health condition may lead to an accident or injury that causes severe long-term disability qualifying for benefits, regardless of whether the injury is accidental or self-inflicted. Inpatient hospital stays over 30 days would also be covered.
Do I need an official diagnosis? What if I don't know what condition my child has?
You do not need an official diagnosis to receive a benefit. While there are more than 150 listed conditions that qualify for benefits based on diagnosis, far too often finding the correct diagnosis for a rare condition can take years or may never happen. We can assess your child’s functional ability, medical complexity, and caregiver needs compared to other children of the same age, whether you have an official diagnosis or not.
Are only long-term disabilities covered? What about one-time surgical procedures?
It depends on the type of plan your employer has offered or you have elected. If lump-sum benefits are included, short-term health events that result in a hospital stay of more than seven days may be eligible for a $5,000 lump-sum benefit. However, many one-time surgical procedures that do not require a week of hospitalization, such as a broken bone, a sprain, the flu, or other common injury or illness, do not qualify. Complications that arise from a surgical procedure that results in a hospital stay of more than a week may be eligible for benefits.
Does Juno protect parents with teenagers and young adults?
Yes. Juno covers children from birth to age 26. For teenagers and young adults, severe disability may occur due to car or school sports accidents, violence, cancer, or one of many rare diseases that are adolescence or adult-onset, such as Huntington's disease.
How do I enroll my kids?
Depending on the plan your employer has adopted, you may either be automatically enrolled or have the option to enroll. Regardless of how you become enrolled, all of your dependent children, including adopted and foster children and stepchildren are automatically enrolled when your coverage begins. If you later adopt or foster a child, get married, or have a newborn, those children are automatically enrolled from the date of adoption, placement or court order, marriage, or birth.
Do I or my children need to have our health insurance through my company in order to be covered by Juno Child Disability Insurance?
If you are eligible for coverage, your kids are covered when you are covered, whether they are on your company-sponsored health plan or not.
We’re pregnant! Will my child be covered?
If you are covered by Juno when your baby is born, your baby will be automatically covered from birth.
We just received a diagnosis of Down syndrome in utero. Will my child have a pre-existing condition?
If you are covered by Juno before the diagnosis, no! If you remain covered when your child is born, your child will be immediately eligible for benefits. If the diagnosis happened before your coverage began, this may be considered a pre-existing condition. Please call us with questions at (833) 833-0609.
We just had a baby! Is my newborn covered?
If your baby is born while you are covered by Juno, your newborn is automatically covered from their date of birth.
I just got married and my spouse has kids. Are my stepchildren covered?
Yes, if you are covered by Juno, your stepchildren are automatically covered from the day you got married.
How much does Juno cost me?
It depends. Some employers choose to offer Juno at no-cost to employees, while others share the cost with employees.
Can I buy Juno child disability insurance without going through my employer?
No. Juno is a new benefit available only through select leading employers. If you'd like to get Juno for your family, please recommend us to your employer!
How are child disability insurance benefits paid?
Benefits are paid directly to you. Long-term benefits are paid monthly, while one-time benefits, if provided under your plan, are paid as a lump sum. Monthly benefits can be paid by check or electronic funds transfer directly to your bank account.
What can my cash benefits be used for?
Cash benefits are completely flexible, and can be used for whatever you choose without restriction. For example, our benefits can be used to support you and your family while you take time off work, hire a caregiver or other help in the home, pay for medical bills not covered by insurance, or anything else you need.
Are Juno benefits taxable?
Generally, Juno benefit payments for long-term (permanent) disabilities are nontaxable. Payments for cancer, hospitalizations, and other conditions the IRS views as non-permanent may be taxable.
Do I have to pay a deductible?
No, there is no deductible for any Juno benefit.
Do I have to wait 6 months before filing a claim? Is there a waiting period?
No, you do not have to wait. There is no waiting period to qualify for benefits once your coverage is effective.
Beyond financial support, what other services does Juno provide?
In addition to financial support, Juno provides one-on-one guidance to help you learn about your child’s condition, apply for state and federal programs, find peer groups, identify caregivers, and plan for the future.
If you are looking for more resources that may be helpful for your family, check out our resources page.
Will I continue to receive Juno benefits if I’m also receiving outside support for my child?
In general, your benefits will not be reduced because you receive outside support. In fact, our support services team will try to connect you with many other resources that may be available for your family!
Do I need to continue working for my company to continue to receive long-term benefits?
No. As long as your child continues to qualify, long-term benefits from Juno will continue regardless of whether you continue working for your company. We have created this benefit in the hope that it empowers you to choose how best to continue your career and support and care for your family.
Do I need to file for reimbursement or provide receipts to receive Juno’s benefits?
No. We pay cash to you, so you can decide how best to use it for your family. There is no need to keep receipts, stay in-network, file for reimbursements, or call us every time there is an issue with paperwork. To begin the claim process, simply give us a call at (833) 833-0609. If your child qualifies for a benefit, you are free to use your cash benefits from Juno for anything your family needs.
Why are you called Juno?
Juno is named for the mother of the Roman gods, Juno (Hera in Greek mythology). She was known as the protector of marriage, families, and children, and is the only goddess in all of Roman and Greek mythology who is the parent of a disabled child. You can read more about the goddess Juno and why we chose her as our namesake here.
Why was Juno created?
Juno cofounder Dr. Snaebjorn (Snae) Gunnsteinsson conceived of the idea that became Juno in 2013. Snae grew up in Iceland, where a social safety net exists to provide financial support for families of children who have severe disabilities. That year, while Snae was working in Washington D.C. as a university professor, his sister-in-law gave birth more than 3 months early to a baby weighing just 1 1⁄2 pounds who fit in the palms of her hands. The baby had a great outcome, but was in the NICU for 4 months, and needed substantially more care throughout his first year of life. During that first year, Iceland provided financial support to Snae’s brother and sister-in-law so they could take time off from work and be with their son.
Snae was preparing to start a family and his brother’s experience got him thinking about his own financial risk in having a new child. After some basic research, he realized the large financial risk that all new parents face. He went online to see if he could buy an insurance policy, but found no available options to cover the risk of a child’s severe disability and he could expect few if any federal or state benefits.
With prior experience working for a genetics research company, studying population health at Johns Hopkins, and writing a Ph.D. thesis on insurance at Yale, he started to realize the possibility of creating a new way to support American families with a financial safety net similar to what exists in many other countries. This safety net in some countries is provided by the government, but in others, such as Sweden, private insurance for children plays a key role.
In the years that followed, Snae researched the impact of child disability on families – including analyzing a database of over 500,000 births in Denmark that tracked outcomes for families over decades. Then in 2019, Snae teamed up with technology and healthcare entrepreneur Jordan Epstein and together they set out to build Juno with a team of like-minded parents and industry leaders, many of whom have disabled children of their own. After four years of research and product development, and the establishment of partnerships with some of the largest insurance companies in the world, including AIG, Juno now provides its child disability insurance as an employee benefit in partnership with leading employers throughout the U.S.
You can learn more about our team here.
Is Juno a non-profit?
Juno is a Public Benefit Corporation with a mission to support parents of children with severe disabilities and diseases. We donate 2% of every premium to organizations that research childhood disabilities and rare diseases or provide direct support to families. You can read more about us and our mission here.
How can I contact Juno with questions?
Many questions can be answered by your HR department, which can provide information about your coverage. Contacting them is often a good first step. You can also contact us toll-free by phone at (833) 833-0609 or email at support@junokids.com. If you'd like to bring Juno to your employer, please recommend us to your employer.