Health insurance WITHOUT Maternity insurance?

Question

I had no idea that our health insurance doesn't include maternity insurance! Just found out I am pregnant (I haven't been to the dr yet) and was just checking into our insurance papers to make sure all sonograms and dr visits are included. BIG SURPRISE. What can I do? Does anyone know if I can purchase maternity insurance now?

Answer 1

The short answer is no, but with some exceptions. For example, if you were part of a group health plan (through work, for example), you might be able to enroll in a new group plan where they cannot treat pregnancy as a pre-existing condition. However, if this plan does not include maternity coverage, then it won't matter. Be careful with so-called maternity discount programs; several state insurance departments have warned against discount health programs that seem like insurance but really are not. If you need financial assistance with prenatal care, I’ve listed some possibilities in the Source section below.

The possibilities include free clinics, county health departments, Planned Parenthood, WIC, using a birthing center instead of a hospital, and state programs for women’s health insurance. However, I would recommend finding out what you want out of health care (the place you want to deliver, the doctor and nursing staff you like, etc.) and work from there. In the short term, go to a free clinic and see what they can do for you. Prenatal care is important!

When you are able to consider private health insurance, try using MostChoice.com to find the plan’s that right for you. You’ll be able to research health insurance rates online and you’ll be able to have offline conversations with multiple health insurance agents – all without charge or obligation. Tell the agents what you need and see if they can deliver a health plan that’s affordable and includes the features you need.

Here are some questions to ask about a new prenatal and pregnancy health plan:

•Does it cover prenatal care?
•What prenatal tests are covered?
•What kind of delivery do you want to have and which types are covered?
•Is anesthesia covered?
•Does it cover nursery costs?
•Are sick and well-baby visits covered?
•How much are co-payments, if there are any?
•How much is the deductible?
•Ask to determine how much your bill would be if you used the insurance

You can find it here: http://www.mostchoice.com/health-insurance.cfm

Congratulations on your pregnancy!
Barnes@MostChoice

Answer 2

I checked into maternity coverage when I was shopping for an individual policy. Basically you have to have maternity coverage for one year before you can start using it. So it won't do you any good to get it now.

Try medicaid like another poster said, or you can get a midwife who will do your prenatal care and deliver your baby in your home for $2000-$3000 (that includes the prenatal visits). Or you can negotiate with the hospital ahead of time, if you pre-pay they will often let you negotiate a lower price. Contact WIC (Women Infants and Children program) they may also have some resources for you. Also I think Planned Parenthood offers prenatal care on a sliding fee scale.

Answer 3

You will not be able to purchase health insurance covering maternity expenses while you are pregnant. Subject to limits which can vary from state to state typical policies require that insurance be in force for at least one year prior to covering any maternity expenses assuming those are covered benefits.

Every state has a health care program for the poor. Acceptable income limits are often higher for pregnant women. Check with your local social services office to inquire.

Answer 4

I haven't heard of "maternity" insurance. I would think the coverage is listed under specialists since an ob is a specialist. Then you should have a copay for hospital stays that will cover some of the birth expense.

Answer 5

go to this website maternitycard.com. I didn't have insurance at the time we first started ttc so i looked up some stuff on the internet. Since you haven't been to the dr yet, maybe you can get that insurance not telling them that you were pregnant of course. i know that it covers alot so try it out. hope this helps.

Answer 6

I think that you are not going to be successful in finding a policy that will cover you once you are already pregnant...it's a preexisting condition.

However, if you have certain income levels, you might be able to get on your state's women & children's health insurance program, but you'd have to prove that the policy doesn't cover maternity care.

It think it's amazing that a policy wouldn't cover maternity care! it seems cheap and stupid to me! But then insurance companies are not in business to be nice....

Answer 7

My daughter is 7 weeks and just found out that she is in the same predicment. I don' t know what to do about it but if you
figure any thing out, I wish you could let me know. She has checked into a maturnity card from something she found on the internet under the American Pregnancy Association. She talked to them on the phone and they say that they can cover up to 60 percent of the hospital bill but they do not pay the doctor.

Answer 8

Oh dear. No, at this point you are considered pre-existing and you are ineligible for coverage. You can call and ask around, but when I was pregnant and needed health insurance I was told "no no no" across the board. Try anyways though! If not, see if you're eligible for a state plan.

Answer 9

I've never heard of "Maternity" insurance. You should have checked over your insurance papers in the very beginning before you signed up for it. Any isnurance you purchase now will be extremely expensive and since you're pregnant could have a"pre exisiting" clause in it that will make it even more expensive during your pregnancy.

Answer 10

Well I have blue cross and they dont cover maternity. You can go and apply for medicad. They cover everything that your primary insurance dont.