Is there help for families with no health insurance.?

Question

I'm pregnaunt and in need of insurance but made $700 too much last year for state insurance. I must have a c section and need to see a doctor but we can not afford it. No doctors want to see me without insurance. I can not have the baby at home! Is there any help out there in Toledo ohio?

Answer 1

Well - as someone currently on WIC and getting pregnancy medical (medicaid) through DSHS and I also work at WIC - honestly.... if I were you I would report and change of income to DSHS and stop earning that $700 IMMEDIATELY. Don't go into an operation like a C-section without health insurance. Loosing that $700 but gaining a bill that is over $20,000+ (or more if your baby needs to stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) that can be upwards of $150,000 just does not make sense.

Other options (depending on your area):
1. See if your area has an energy assistance program - so you can get some help with electricity
2. Apply for WIC (you can call and they will be straightforward about income guidelines without disqualifying you for simply inquiring). For example, a family of 3 (including unborn baby) can earn up to $2500 in Washington.
3. See if any of your bills can be delayed due to your surgery
4. Go on maternity leave, (which would leave you with no income) but then apply for what is called a "Diversion Grant" which is a one-time grant from DSHS to help pay your bills.... most people can get about $1500 to help deal with any type of extenuating situation in life.
5. Explore TANF grants - typically about $400/mo. for a person with one child - as long as you are not working and have no income.

You've gotta be smart about this - at first I thought stuff like this was "working the system" but it's not - you need to take care of your health and not destroy your financial future. It sounds like you are working hard, and if you need an advocate - call your local WIC office - they are really different from DSHS and will actually help you find the resources you need.

Answer 2

Does your job not offer health insurance? If it does, I suggest getting on it. Pregnancies are not considered as pre-existing conditions. So, you should be able to get it quickly and easily.

Since you do not qualify for state insurance, are there no other programs that can give you insurance at a lower cost where you live? I know in California, there are many low cost health insurances that families can buy for their children and themselves. I suggest if you need help finding other insurances, you speak to the Welfare Department and ask what other choices there are for you to find pre-natal care and such.

Answer 3

You should check with your WIC program, AND your state CHIPS program.

Regarding the "must" have a C Section . . . most of the time, C Sections really AREN'T necessary - only in a very few cases are they truly required. You might want to check to see about a midwife delivery and a "second opinion" on that C. Midwives are much cheaper, do payment plans, will do your prenatal care, and make labor easier!!

Most doctors WILL push you to a C, as it takes less of their time and makes them more money.

Answer 4

hospitals expecially public ones can't deny you if you come in with a legit need like this and they will do it and bill you later for it and when the bill comes go to the hospital's billing office with proof of income they may be able to knock the bill down to free or nearly free and after that seek post natal care for you and the baby at a women's health clinic or the local Planned Parenthood if they are still around in toledo ohio

if you were down in lancaster ohio i'd reccomend talking to a rep of the Sons of Korhal or the Sisters of Tain although neither of them are "official" agencies just yet we do exist to help folks but only in the lancaster ohio area

Answer 5

you made too much under the HCAP program?? that will cover the hospital for you and the baby.. everything except anesthesia and the doc.. and you might have made 700 too much last year, but when they recalculate for state insurance and it's a 3 month look back.. you're going to have an extra one - baby -

HCAP forms you fill out at the hospital. and go reapply for the state coverage if you are in your 3rd trimester.

Answer 6

try government medicaid, they typically take anyone who is pregnant and in need of insurance. if not you can always buy a plan through bluecross/blue shield pretty pricy though, can range from 600-1200 /mo. BUT stil cheaper than paying out of pocket.

did you try healthy start/healthy families:
http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/bcps/hshf/index.stm

Answer 7

Theres some good information on health insurance, getting good deals and general info etc here http://geobay.com/c21307 hope it helps.

Answer 8

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