What to do when you have no maternity medical coverage?

Question

My friend and her husband are having a baby. They both work, but they make $37,000 together and the Medicaid and WIC maximum income in our state is $30,000

Their employers do NOT offer medical insurance, and they currently have medical coverage that they bought on their own for $400 a month.

Problem is that their medical coverage does NOT include maternity and they can't get any other medical coverage because the wife is already pregnant. They have no way of paying for OB costs, delivery, and hospital charges now!

What are citizens supposed to do in this situation?????

It's not for me, I need the advice for my friend ASAP. What can they do when they state says they aren't "poor" enough?

Answer 1

Well I am in this same boat and my husband and I have to pay for it out of our pocket. If you have them talk to whoever they are going to, an OB or midwife and even the hospital, they have different self pay contracts. Like my midwife cut the price in half if we paid the total in cash before the baby comes. Also the hospital did the same thing, cut the whole price in half if it was paid by the birth. Luckily we have everything paid off now and are just waiting for the baby. I hope this helps somewhat.

Answer 2

It's not true that she can't get other insurance after being pregnant, I did it. You just have to do a lot of research, and possibly pay more, but not compared to hospital costs. Have her talk to an OB office too. Some will let you pay less, and even make payments. If anything, go to the health dept. They take people with no insurance.

Answer 3

Check with Planned Parenthood. They can probably direct her toward a low fee plan.

Answer 4

find a local welfare office. dont be embarassed, if you need the help, you need it. I have a med card from them, and dont have to pay co pays, or any at all for perscriptions. Not a dollar!