What do i do for insurance???

Question

My husband found out today that before March 10, the company he works for will lay off 550 employees. We are expecting our first child in May. The insurance through his company is what i have. When he is laid off, i am for sure the insurance will be gone. Any suggestions on what i should do? I am worried about the baby, and making sure everything goes ok. Do i try to get help through the state or what? I am not sure what to do... Just scared
Please no stupid comments, as this is a touchy subject for us right now...

Answer 1

I would check with your local family and social services organization.

If you do not have insurance, and your income level meets the guidelines, then you can qualify for medicaid.

I would check in to it soon, just so you can see if it is available to you or not. Also, I have heard it takes a while to process it, so again - the sooner the better.

Answer 2

do medicaid! i just found out i was pregnant and i downloaded the application right off the internet. look through the website and see what they offer pregnant mothers. they count you, your partner, and the unborn child, so it will be counted as 3 people in the family. they have a maximum amount of money that you can make in order to receive the aid. they will just about NEVER turn down a pregnant woman though, and even if at the time your making more than that certain amount given, you can still receive some form of aid. i found a program in north carolina called baby love and thats exactly what it is. i fall under the category so all i am to do is send in the application, proof of pregnancy, last months pay stub, and a power bill and Im good to go! It takes 45 days to process but i was told if i needed care right away i can call our local health department and they could give me temporary coverage right then and there based only on what i tell them over the phone! so good luck, hope it helps!!!

Answer 3

Usually when companies lay people off, they offer something called COBRA. It lets you keep your same insurance, you just have to pay the whole premium, where before the employer may have been paying all or part of it.
There is also your state's medicaid program. Generally it will pay for all of your pregnancy related medical expenses and pay for the baby for the first 60 days.

Answer 4

Firs of all, I am very sorry to here of that happening to your husband, my family has been through something similar and it is very stressfull. Right away, find out what help you can get through the state and sign up for that. This is exactly the reason they have these kinds of programs. Have faith that your husband will find another job soon, but untill then, the state should take care of you. That kind of insurance is usually very good. Its going to be ok, probably not easy, but ok. Who knows he may even find a better job. Good luck and God Bless

Answer 5

If your husband is laid off, then the option to continue insurance coverage, at full cost to you, should be available via COBRA. Your husband should speak with the human resources staff at his company to find out more about that. He should do this now, so that you can begin to plan.

If the cost of the insurance coverage via the COBRA program is prohibitive, and your income is low enough, as a pregnant woman you'll certainly be eligible for medical assistance (medicaid) to cover your ongoing prenatal care and the costs associated with your baby's birth. If you do receive medical assistance coverage, your baby should be immediately covered for any care that s/he needs in the immediate period after birth and then for healthcare coverage under your state's program to provide healthcare for children whose parents are unable to access private coverage.

You should also speak to your prenatal care provider about the situation; they may have a program available that will allow for continuity of care (meaning that you won't have to change providers at that late stage of your pregnancy) regardless of your insurance situation.

Answer 6

most of the time when you are no longer covered with an insurance that you have with your job, they offer you continued coverage through COBRA. it will cover you, your husband, and child along with the pregnancy for a monthly charge. its great!! i know how scared it can make you (went through the same thing almost, i couldn't work at my job any longer when i found out i was pregnant due to the risk. worked at a troubled girls home. so i no longer had insurance). you should be getting paper work about this, if not email me and i can give you a number to see if you would be covered.

Answer 7

Your husband will be offered insurance for up to 18 months AFTER he leaves the company...(Its called the COBRA plan) however, you will have to pay for it out of pocket and i will assume a family plan is really pricey. Another option here in NY (i THINK its a nationwide plan) is called Child Health Plus and Families Health Plus...where you can get yourself and baby covered. that one should be a lot cheaper. Good Luck

Answer 8

As far as i know, your husband has a right to opt for Cobra insurance if he is one of those laid off.

Sure, you have to pay it out of your pocket, but you can extend your coverage...I *think* 18 months beyond his lay off date and pay a higher fee, but still much better than most insurance companies would offer you as an independant subscriber.

Answer 9

Well there is alway Medicaid