I'm pregnant and lost my job and medical insurance, what can I do?

Question

I have been put on bed rest and can no longer work. My job didn't offer extended medical insurance, so I lost that too. I'm only half way through my pregnancy and have lots of medical bills coming my way. Is there any kind of assistance I can get? My husband is a full time collage student and can't work because of his classes. Even if he got a job, it wouldn't cover any medical bills.

Answer 1

You can apply for WIC (medicaid) health insurance, to cover the birth costs. It's based on income, so your income will have to be low enough - and HIS income counts, too.

Answer 2

There are a few options:

First, I noticed that a lot of posters mentioned COBRA. Cobra only applies to companies who have more than 20 employees. So you may not be able to get it.

Second, some states have laws requiring employers to offer continuation (at your cost). Ask an agent in your area.

Medical discount cards are not the answer in my opinion.

Wic - an option, but you have to move fast - really fast...

Your husband getting a job, most companies have a 90 day waiting period, and require that he works 25-30 hours a week (depends on the state). So he should really just look for anytype of job with benefits - NOW.

Answer 3

Find a community hospital where they deliver babies.
Most of these have an OB clinic that handle patients without insurance as long as they fall within income and asset limits that you are likely to meet.

Check with them, and see if their case management department or business office thinks you can qualify for Medicaid.

It's best not to go to a private physician office because they dont generally offer charity care. Same with for-profit hospitals - they are a better bet than the private physician as far as charity care is concerned, but a non profit is the best. Any practice that is owned by a non profit org such as a community hospital will generally provide charity care.

Answer 4

COBRA (if you could afford the premium) or Medicaid (if you qualify) are probably your 2 best options.

BTW...if your husband got a job that offered medical coverage, it would cover medical bills for your pregnancy. (Group coverage generally can't consider pregnancy pre-existing.) Sure, he may not want to reduce his courseload for the semester. However, once you get married and have kids, you have to make your decisions based on what's best for your family...not just what you want for yourself. If you're unable to get coverage for your pregnancy any other way, he might have to bite the bullet and get a job that offers medical coverage.

Answer 5

Call your local office for public assistance. YOU NEED MEDICAL CARE while pregnant. You will be eligible for WIC and other assistance and perhaps your husband should take time off from school until you are able to work again and get a JOB! (it's called being a responsible parent!) You may as well get him started in the responsible part early!

Answer 6

If you worked full time and were covered by an employer's health insurance then you ahve the option of buying health insurance through COBRA. Your former employer must send you the paperwork. It is expensive but better than no coverage.

Answer 7

Try a medical discount company. Sometimes the work better than insurance, it does for us anyhow. They don't care about preexisting conditions and it is cheap to!!

Answer 8

You should be able to apply for state assitance health care for you and for you unborn child

Answer 9

In the OLD days, your loving Church would been a source for help. Look for a RICH church to attend, they have money and politely ask for help.