I am 5 month along and I just got laid off so I lost my insurance what do I do now?

Question

My last employer did what I would call spring cleaning and fired alot of people before she hired and trained new people. When I called to see what time I came in that week they told me not to show up that they didn't need me anymore. So now I have no insurance and I can't afford to see an OBGYN without it. I don't know what to do because i've been looking for another job but it doesn't seem to be going any where. And even if I were to get another job right now my new insurance wouldn't kick in till after i've been there for 90 days. Thats about a week after my due date. I just dont know what to do. I'm worried.

Answer 1

You can apply for Medicaid from the local Health and Human resources department for the state in your area. Or maybe its called the local assistance office where you are. Every location seems to have its own name for it. Either way, you are automatically eligible with being unemployed, pregnant, and uninsured. Plus, this also now makes you eligible for other help programs. You can sign up for HUD thru the local housing authority, which will pay a portion of your rent. You can get food stamps to help with groceries until you are able to get another job, and also, you are now eligible for WIC, to help give you and your baby added nutrition, especially now when its most needed. Dont see this as being a totally bad thing. You have paid into the system for years and now that you need a little help, its ok to take it. That will give you a little bit of relief while you are looking for a job. Best of luck to you, and remember, there are avenues of help out there if you just know the right questions to ask.

Answer 2

There's something called a cobra plan where you can keep paying your insurance premium on your own it's way high just to let you know but probably less then what you would have to pay otherwise. Call your insurance company through your last job and ask them about the cobra details. More over there are laws that protect employers from firing you while you are pregnant as well as any other disability I would suggest hiring a lawyer for wrongful termination. Temporarily check with your local health department about pregnancy medicaid and a program called healthy start... a new jobs insurance probably will not cover your pregnancy either way as it is considered a preexisting "illness" (boo.... hiss) good luck and sorry to hear about your job.

Answer 3

You will have about 30 days with your insurance you have, then they will send you something to sign up for Cobra, which is kinda like gap insurance. You can stay on it for as long as you need to. It's a little expensive, but probably cheaper then paying for the doctor yourself. Your coverage will stay the same on it as you had before, and since pregnancy is no longer considered a pre-existing condition, they can't turn you down. You can also try to get on medicaid. Usually if you are pregnant and don't have insurance, you will get right on. If you were laid off, check and see about unemployment too. Since you didn't quit, you should be eligible for that. Then at least you will get some money for a while. All you have to do is go into a workforce services near you, or go to their website. You can now sign up on line for most of their services. If it was a lay off, and your employer is willing to say it was a lay off, you will have no problems getting these programs. Good luck to you!!! I hope it all works out!!

Answer 4

Medicaid will definitely help you and while you are waiting to be approved you will receive a form that entitles you to health care so there is no waiting for anything to kick in. Even if you do get a job in the next month I would still do Medicaid for now because your baby needs coverage as you already know.
BTW your employer is a complete a**, but unfortunately the world is full of them.
Take care and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and your job hunt.

Answer 5

First of all, see a lawyer about you getting laid off while your emloyer hired new people. If you are marry, see if you can be cover on your husband's insurance. Go to the Health Department where you live and get you and the baby check out. Apply for food stamps and wic for you and the baby if you are eligible. Go to the unemployment office. You are at least entitled to unemployment seeing that your employer lay you off. If you have not already, done your taxes, do them as soon as possible and use that money to see your doctor. Above all, have faith in the Lord.

Answer 6

Medicaid may be an option, but I also know a friend who went through the same thing and she found an ins company that would insure her at 4 months as long as you do it before this current plan expires which is 30 days. Get on line and start looking. Good luck and God bless

Answer 7

You should visit your local department of Social services. There you can fill out an application for medicaid for pregnant women. It is a lot of paperwork but it will cover all pregnancy related expenses. It is also a jump start for your baby. Once you fill out the application a social worker will tell you what other information is needed. Don't worry even if you don't get approved for full medicaid you should still be able to get a plan through DSS to help pay for expenses.

Answer 8

I am so sorry that happend to you this late in your pregnancy. I am worried about the same thing happening to me.

But listen there is always someone who can help you. You most likely will qualify for emergency medical insurance please see your local health department or social security office. Since you were laid off by no fault of your own, you qualify for unemployment insurance or medicaid. Best of luck dont give up. Everything will be okay, it may require some extra leg work and trust in God. It can be done, dont give up. Dont worry its bad for the baby. Best thing you can do is to take action and try as many places as you can. Look in the phonebook for emergency health assistance. Best of luck.

Answer 9

Your employer should have offered you Gap insurance to cover until you get a new job and new insurance. The problem with this is that it is very expensive, and with no job, how are you going to afford it, right? You need to look to your state government resources. The same thing happened to me (I live in Illinois) and I was able to get on KidCare, which covers pregnant women who have no insurance and limited income. Go to the local WIC (Women's Infants Children) office and they will set you up with resources. They are probably located in your local health dept., who can also give you some good ideas.

Answer 10

Call your local health dept for an application for Medicaid and WIC. Being unemployed and looking for work you should qualify. Also if you have been at your former job for a yr and on insurance they are reuqired to offer you COBRA. You pay for the insurance and get the same coverage you had while an employee. You should've been given COBRA info when you were let go.