If your wife is pregnant and you don’t have health insurance, you still have options. You can get coverage through any traditional, individual health insurance plan or through a group plan, while you are pregnant.
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You can also apply for government assisted healthcare such as Medicaid which covers pre-natal visits, delivery, and newborn care. The following article will provide additional information about what to do if you or your loved one finds themselves pregnant and without insurance.
Finding a Traditional Health Insurance Plan While Pregnant
Studies show that proper pre-natal care while pregnant decreases the risk of complications during pregnancy and birth both for the mom and the baby. This is not only because the mother is receiving proper care, but also because it allows doctors to see any possible complications and treat them, before they become an issue.
Mother who have pre-natal care have babies that weigh more and spend less time in the hospital, on average. Lack of health insurance should not stop a mom from getting pre-natal care.
If you are pregnant or your wife is pregnant and you do not have health insurance, you may be worried that pregnancy is consider a pre-existing condition. This is not the case; at least not for group insurance.
HIPAA Laws and Pregnancy
HIPAA laws do not allow insurance companies to classify pregnancy as a pre-existing condition because of the vital necessity of pre-natal care. Pregnancy cannot be the only reason that health insurance is denied to a person, couple, or family. However, other medical complications as a result of pregnancy may be excluded or not covered.
A traditional health insurance plan purchased either individually or through a group plan with an employer will have the option of maternity coverage. Maternity coverage covers prenatal care as well as delivery and your care while in the hospital.
Please note that HIPAA only applies to group insurance when you change from one job to another. Private insurance companies offering traditional insurance options are not part of the HIPAA law and do not have to extend you coverage.
You can apply for insurance through your job, if offered. Including maternity coverage as part of your overall plan does make the price of insurance go up, but it is far less expensive than paying for a birth which can cost up to $8,000. Luckily, pregnancy does not require a 12 month waiting period as other pre-existing condition can.
With a traditional plan, you will typically have a co-pay for office visits, a prescription fee for prenatal vitamins and any other medication needed, and a deductible you will need to meet. These fees and charges will be in addition to your monthly premium payment.
Also, you need to be familiar with any charges that are associated with prolonged hospitalization as well as surgery in case there are any complications or emergencies that happen during the pregnancy or delivery. Remember that a cesarean section is a surgery.
Finding Government Assisted Health Insurance While Pregnant
If you cannot afford a traditional health insurance plan, you can apply for government assisted health insurance. The plan most typically used is Medicaid.
Medicaid is a federally regulated program that is run by individual states. Because each state runs the program individually, the application process, guidelines, and income levels all vary from state to state.
Most states have an online application process after which some documents will need to be mailed to the central office in your city or county. Required documents will include birth certificates, pay stubs, W-2s, proof of address, a copy of ids for every family member, and in some cases proof of pregnancy.
The waiting period for Medicaid approval also varies from state to state, however, most states waive the waiting period or expedite the application process for pregnant woman who have not had any pre-natal care. The choice of doctors, hospitals, and birthing situation are limit when covered under Medicaid. Not all obstetricians take Medicaid, and special requests such as mid-wives or private hospital rooms are almost always denied.
If you aren’t sure if you can afford health insurance or you just need a way to start looking for coverage, online is a great place to start. You can start by trying the free online comparison tool on this page.
This online comparison tool allows you to input your health information and personal data one time and then compare rates and quotes from top companies, including different coverage options. Save time and money. Try the online comparison tool for your health insurance today.
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