i live in michigan and my income is too much (about $3000 a month) to apply for help from the state. i have only been at my job 3 months and my boss will not cover me for another 3 months. he also said he will not cover my wife. (i'm not sure if thats normal either?) if i try to purchase health insurance will they try not to cover the delivery and prenatal care? is this like trying to put insurance on you car 10 min after you get into an accident? i dont know what to do!
2007-03-15 13:01:58 · 20 answers · asked by randy d 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
With regards to the pre-existing condition comment made earlier, it really varies from state to state and in some respects company to company and policy to policy. The loophole is that insurance companies can't deny you coverage because your pregnant...BUT they can (again depending on your state) deny covering your pregnancy. The typical maternity policy has a clause written in that states they won't cover a pregnancy that includes a birth that occurs prior to 240-260 days after coverage begins. In other words if the child is born before 9-9.5 months have passed then they won't cover it. (Of course if records show it was a premature birth it will then be covered.)
Sometimes you can get covered (again depending on your state and insurance company) if you are moving from group policy to single or group policy to group BUT it is less likely they will cover if you're moving from single to group.
It's really something everyone involved has to dig into and find out. I try to spread the word just because most people assume the "pregnancy is not a pre-existing condition" means coverage is guaranteed only to get bad news later.
You might want to go with a midwife. I know some midwives do deliveries based on insurance and income. I know in WI (where I moved from, I now live in San Diego) there's a birth center that ranges in price from $500 to $2000 for all prenatal care, the birth, and postnatal check ups. I don't think that's a very bad price, even if it's out of pocket. (And it's MUCH cheaper than most people pay for their copays even with insurance covering their birth.)
2007-03-15 13:19:48 · answer #1 · answered by Rebecca C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, you are unfortunately right about the trying to get insurance after the accident. Most insurance carriers will consider the 1 month pregnancy a pre existing condition and so they wont put her on the health insurance. I dont' think it is legal for your boss to tell you that they wont put your wife on insurance.
I also live in michigan and I went through U of M and they helped me find an insurance company that would accept my pregnancy. Why dont you contact them? Assuming that you live near the hospital.
Good LUck to you and your wife.
2007-03-15 13:14:44 · answer #2 · answered by krYpToNitEsMoM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's considered a pre-existing condition, so no they won't cover this pregnancy. I am in the same boat - uninsured before I got pregnant & got turned down for state insurance for making too much money. We are having to pay for everything out of pocket. Doesn't seem fair, does it?
I don't know about Michigan - but here there are clinics here that are specifically for people like us - maybe research "Partners in Medicine" and see if there is something similar where you are.
If you applied for insurance - they would figure out that she was pregnant before hand (according to her due date) even if they accepted you without knowing - they could revoke the policy or take her off of it - for not disclosing accurate information.
2007-03-15 13:10:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get coverage now - and pay for maternity insurance, but some places say you have to be with them for 6 months to a year before getting pregnant. I would search around in your area for programs that might help you. Even if they cover 25% of the cost - it's better than nothing!
Some insurance companies do consider being pregnant a pre-existing condition - and some insurance companies require a separate policy for maternity. You just have to look around in your area as to what is available to you.
2007-03-15 13:08:50 · answer #4 · answered by charlie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will not be able to get on private insurance until after she gives birth. You need to go to your state department of human services to see if there are any state options for your wife. Make sure you have your last three pay stubs or a tax return to show your income. If you guys make too much money, you will have to just pay the huge bill or declare bankruptcy. This is a reason for national health insurance, we cannot even afford to have kids!
2016-03-29 00:26:41 · answer #5 · answered by Kate 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi! Don't be so sure that you don't qualify for state help. You'd be surprised at what they will help you with, even if you make that amount. It wouldn't hurt to apply. Why won't your boss cover your wife? That is odd. Apply for state help, and if you can't get it, use a hospital clinic. Really, these clinics are great! It will really cut the cost. Some hospitals have women's clinics that are almost new, and beautiful! I bet you'll qualify for the state benefits though. Good luck!!
2007-03-15 13:11:49 · answer #6 · answered by MommyMe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some carriers won't cover prenatal care, and some will. You're just going to have to call different providers and ask, because every one is different.
As for your employer not covering your wife, that's within the scope of the law so there really isn't much you can do except find another job.
2007-03-15 13:06:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call Materity Card by AHCO or other discount program. (run a search) Once your wife is pregnant, no insurance will cover her. Maternity card is a discount card that can save you 25% - 50%. You have no co payments, the bill is negotiated with your provider and you pay the difference. AHCO is the company who runs this, there is a 99.00/mo charge. But its worth it at the end.
2007-03-15 13:12:41 · answer #8 · answered by Contessa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say stay at the job that you are at. wait it out for a minute until ur health insurance kicks in. But until then check for any local free clinics in your area they most defintely give your wife the prenatal care that she needs until, hold on to your job because soon you will have a baby coming.
2007-03-15 13:15:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can check to see if your state carries any affordable health plans for you to purchase, some will have individual and family plans. The family plan normally covers the spouse and pre existing conditions such as pregnancy and the child once he or she is born. As far as your employer it isn't normal but not illegal to my knowledge because he's probably only willing to pay into a individual plan. it just seems morally wrong. Good Luck
2007-03-15 13:16:09 · answer #10 · answered by Lele78 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋