I just found out I am pregnant with # 2 I have no insurance, what can I do?

Question

My husband was going to get insurance at work but it would cost us $800 a month. That is enough to pay cash fo a baby. However we can't afford to do it all on my Dr.'s time scedule. I don't qualify for any insurance plan I can find and all I have found are places that work out a discount up to 60% for the Dr visits, but then I am paying them every month. I don't want to be on medicaid because I can pay something. Do they let you pay a little bit each month if you are on medicaid? Are nurse midwives a decent option and are they cheaper? (My Dr would cost $2900, plus all the test and the sonograms, and not counting the hospital bill) Please help.

Answer 1

You will need to work out a plan with your Dr. If you are low risk, a midwife might be cheaper, but you would be having your baby at home. Unfortunately, the $2900 doctor bill is only part of the cost. Add in $4000 to $6000 at least for the hospital bill. Then add in the anesthesiologist if you get an epidural, and all the other tests.

Answer 2

Be careful with 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, using a birthing center instead of a hospital, and state programs for women’s health insurance. Some states have insurance programs for women and babies where it is not entirely paid for by the state. I’ve included a link to state health insurance guides, which should detail what kinds of state programs are available.

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 3

I know you don't want to be on Medicaid, but it's the best thing. It will pay for what your baby needs. Also ask about WIC, because that can help a lot, too.

If you can pay something, and really feel guilty about Medicaid paying for too much, why not donate a small amount to a charity in the baby's name when it is born? Like Feed the Children or UNICEF. That way you could get the medical care you need, and the money you can afford to spend would still go to something worthwhile.

Answer 4

Please go ahead and get medicaid. I have a full time job and college degree, I was also on insurance when I applied for medicaid and I was still qualified because my insurance didn't cover prenatal care. Don't feel guilty about about using medicaid. You pay taxes, so you ARE paying for your medical care. If you qualify for medicaid, then after your baby is born, even if you and your husband put your baby on insurance, your child will automatically qualify for medicaid and they will back you up as secondary insurance and pay what your primary doesn't pay for.Even if you have the ability to pay for something, there is nothing wrong with getting a lil help.

Answer 5

I know that you might not want to get onto medicaid but you have to think about the baby and if there is no other option, then get it. They'll determine whether or not there is going to be a co-pay. You can also go to the health department (or call them) and I think that they have a lot of programs to help out pregnant women with no insurance. Good luck to you!

Answer 6

There's a company out there that helps people who do not have and need affordable health benefits. It includes regular office visits, any specialists and even pre-existing conditions including pregnancy. It basically includes everything you need help paying for. Their medical plan includes dental, vision, prescription and chiropractic benefits as well. There's no high premiums, deductibles, co-pays, waiting periods, claims forms or anything like that at all. They can save you up to 80% on your out of pocket expenses for a very small fee every month. It could end up saving you a lot of $$ over traditional insurance. Try this website and you can check out the specifics and providers in your area. http://www.everyonebenefits.com/40424269... If your provider isn't on there, he can be added. They are a wonderful company and are members of the BBB. I have benefits through them as well. Another option is a midwife. They are wonderful. My mom had her twins with one and wouldn't go back to a doc ever again. My hubby and I are military and we get WIC. There's nothing to be ashamed of getting assistance if you are doing the best you can. Hope you find what you need. Please email me if you have any questions, and I'd be happy to help you if I can. Best of luck and congrats.

Answer 7

I know that you said that you don't want to be on Medicaid, but the best thing for you to do is apply asap so that you can begin getting the prenatal attn that you need! You should not wait, do what you need to do now to get the medical service that you need, and then work out other insurance plans in the mean time so that you can eventually segue to the insurance. Good luck! -Janet

Answer 8

Talk to your Doctor first. Ask him/her about any programs that might be in your area or State. You would be surprised how many programs there are out there for people who do not have insurance. All you have to do is ask. In my State, Massachusetts, in order to get onto MassHealth you have to be destitute. Poorer than poor. I was in the hospital a year ago with a ruptured ovarian cyst and no insurance. The hospital sent me a case worker who sat with me for about 3 hours and we found the best coverage for me, a middle-upper class 26 female in between insurances. My outstanding bill would have been about $7,000.00 for three days in the hospital and I had to pay $0. Nada. All I had to do is ask. Frankly, the hospitals and doctors want to get paid and they know that by referring you to these programs they are guaranteed their money! Good luck!

Answer 9

Depending on your family's monthly income-you could try to go on public aid/WIC. I was on public aid for both pregnancies & I have to say I was really pleasantly surprised. I thought that since it was public aid, my care would have been below standard. That certaintly wasn't true. I got great pre-natal care & good treatment in the hospital. Plus, everything was taken care of. Think about it this way, if you or your husband have worked all your lives, you've been paying taxes, right? Why not take advantage of some of the tax money you all have paid in the past?

Answer 10

Youcan go through your local health department and see their doctors. You may have to pay something, but not as much as a regular ob/gyn, but they will refer you to a ob to deliver the baby. They even have plans that will help with baby formula and baby food. I know in Mississippi they have what is called a WIC program, and when I had my daughter they helped me with nutrition facts, and with all her food and formula.

Hope it works out for you, and best wishes on the new addition.