Can my pregnancy be considered a pre-existing condition if I didn't have insurance before?

Question

My old insurance cancelled me a few months ago and I just found out. I have a new job with new insurance that starts in May, but I also just found out I am pregnant. I was going to be getting the insurance anyway, since I have a family that needs insurance. Will my new insurance cover my pregnancy or will it fall under the pre-existing condition clause?

We don't have COBRA as far as I know. I had my previous insurance with a temp agency and thinking I was signed up with them but not working I was still covered. I just found out, when taking my 16 month old to emergency a few weeks ago, that they weren't covering me anymore and we didn't have insurance.

Answer 1

Yes, pregnancy would be a pre-existing condition.

Answer 2

It sounds like the temp agency hasn't notified you of your COBRA rights. First, you need to contact them and find out why. They will have to offer you the COBRA under the law and you will be able to pick that up to cover the period you were not covered and until your current insurance kicks in. At that point, the COBRA and prior insurance coverage should cover your pre-existing clause on your new plan and the full maternity will be covered.

Unless the old company can PROVE (ie a certified receipt showing you signed for the notification) then they will have to reinstate you back to the date of term, of course you will have to pay the full premium plus 2% but considering the cost to have a baby it may be cheaper.

Answer 3

Maternity is not considered a pre-existing condition. There's a federal law that says in most cases, Pre-existing condition exclusions cannot be applied to pregnancy, regardless of whether the woman had previous health coverage. Its possible your insurance doesn't cover maternity at all though... Check it out. Do a yahoo key word search using the words federal, pre-existing, and maternity and then maybe your state name or abbreviation. The laws in your state may differ, but the national laws have to be complied with in most situations.

So, yes your new plan will cover it, as long as they actually cover maternity. Good luck.

Answer 4

Depends on the insurance plan, but most consider pre-existing conditions to be chronic or long-term illnesses. Pregnancy is not considered to be long-term, even though it can sure feel like it those last few weeks.

You say you "just" found out you were expecting...I went through a simliar problem when I was pregnant...I was waiting till I was working at my new job long enough to get on the health plan, even though I knew I was expecting. I was also concerned that my pregnancy would be considered to be pre-existing.

I picked an OB/GYN as my primary care doctor, and I had another reason to visit her when I went in for my first pre-natal visit. It could be anything from a regular annual physical, to the reason I used...a follow-up on an accidental cut I got at work (I do NOT reccomend that one....)

If you are really worried about it, you could try going to your primary care doctor and pretend you don't know you are pregnant at all. Then let your primary care doctor "discover" it, and recommend you see your OB/GYN.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

There are a few things you must verify. First, whether the new plan offers maternity coverage. Second, whether there is a pre-existing limitation or requirement to satisfy. And third, whether there is a waiting period until benefits, including maternity benefits, will be eligible for you to use. It appears that the third question may have been answered by your statement of "90 days". And, in the meantime, you have COBRA coverage so that your health insurance coverage does not lapse. But, the questions on whether there is a pre-existing limitation and whether the new plan has maternity benefits has not been answered. You need to find the answers to these additional questions, but if you don't want your employer or new health plan to know about your pregnancy, then ask anonymously or refer to the new plan's policy booklet to investigate on your own. Other issues: if you and your husband are moving from one group plan to another group plan, then HIPAA may come into effect, because it enables you to apply the time earned from your previous group plan towards satisfying the pre-existing requirements of the new health plan. If you find that the new plan has a pre-existing limitation then consider looking into HIPAA or continue with COBRA. For additional information see our articles on HIPAA and COBRA. Be prepared and know the benefits, eligibility and any limitations of the new health plan before making decisions on switching jobs. Also consider contacting your state insurance department for more details on laws applicable in your state.

Answer 6

You need to check with your state, also with your previous insurer. The previous insurer may have to continue coverage because the condition is still ongoing and not complete.

A lot of companies consider childbirth as "any other illness".

ex.... if you go to the hospital to have your appendix removed you would be covered under your new insurance.... if you go to have a baby, you would be covered.

The maternity visits to the doc might not be covered.. that would fall under the definition of MATERNITY, and may be considered a pre existing condition.. you need a clarification. Not from HR.. from the company.. Get the website that pertains to your coverages download them and read them.

My husband started working for his company when I was 8 months pregnant with our son, we had been saving like crazy because we knew that we didn't have coverage. When I went into labor, the hospital asked for my ins card.. I told her that I wasn't covered for this.. she said.. it doesn't hurt to submit it... hahahahahahaha

Covered..... any other illness!!!

Like an idiot.. I actually called the insurance company a couple of months later and asked them if they wee sure that they should have paid it!!!!!

Yep, they were sure... LOL

Do some checking.

Answer 7

a million, sure you will possibly desire to make an appointment with a physician as quickly as you come across out your pregnant, quite because of the fact it could take a pair of weeks for them to work out you for the 1st time in any case. #2, on account that being pregnant and docs are so costly, maximum insurance companies evaluate it a pre-latest situation. as a count of certainty, my pals insurance corporation declined overlaying her being pregnant even although she were with them for a 300 and sixty 5 days. They instructed her she necessary to be coated for a minimum of three years till now they might cover being pregnant. it easily relies upon on the insurance corporation, yet I doubt all people will cover you. the only thank you to be sure for helpful is to call them.

Answer 8

I've been told pregnancy is a sickness with some insurance companies. Jennifer