Help! I Just Found Out That Im Pregnant and We Just Got Insurance

The state has a program that may be able to help you out. You can try looking them up on the internet of calling. I believe it is under the Kid Care program.

YES!! Try the moms and babies insurance and apply RIGHT AWAY! Most doctors only take a certain number of state patients per delivery month so if you want to keep your doctor get on it right away.

You can apply online at allkids.com

Do you have the option of COBRA from your last employeer?

I'm surprised that you have a one-year waiting period. As I understood it, in Illinois pregnancy cannot be considered a pre-existing condition and cannot be excluded. Maybe you should look into it some more? Good luck, I hope you find a solution.

I went through almost the same thing. My husband had just switched jobs and we didn't get insurance till after I was already pregnant. The only thing I can tell you is that the hospital we went to worked out a payment plan and gave us 20% off of our bills based on income.

I was in the same boat and the insurance covered it all.

I'm not sure if you're in IN or IL, but if you are in Indiana and are not eligible for medicaid(there are significant income requirements), then you could apply for the Indiana state risk pool, AKA Indiana Comprehensive Health Insurance Association.(ICHIA). They can be located at www.ichia.org. They have to cover you for insurance for your pregnancy, and you only have to have it as long as you need it. You must be declined for insurance somewhere--apply to any company and tell them you're pregnant and they will deny you. Once you have that letter of denial, you can apply for this insurance. Let me warn you--it is salty--like to the toon of nearly $500-$600/month. That being said, you only have to have it when you need it. I did not have mine effective until about 6 weeks before I had my last child(I was in your same situation) until about 2 months after and I had a c-section and my total expense was the 3 months of coverage($1800), the $250 deductible and the cost of my ultrasounds at my OBGYN (2x$375). Not bad compared to the nearly $18,000+ bill from the hospital and the $5000 bill from the OBGYN for delivery! If you need more info, please let me know!

-A.

A little about me:
I am mother of 4.5 year old boy-girl twins, a nearly 1 year old sweet as pie little girl--work full time, married for almost 10 years.

I have the same waiting period on the insurance I have. I am not sure if there is anything you can do about it - I tried going through an agent and all major policies that are not bought through a group have this rider. You could look into Medicaid or some type of government assistance. Most Ob offices will work with you to set up a payment plan and will not require payment up front. I am a nurse who works at an Ob/Gyne office so if you need some pricing/information, etc...let me know. I am sure we could work something out with you and our doctors are amazing! Best of luck and congratulations!!!!

I would definitely look into all of the options that have been listed here. If your insurance is through an employer, I don't think they can enforce a waiting period. If privately purchased, I think they can do whatever they want.

However, must be a sign of the times (write to your congresspersons and tell them we want universal health care!) but two of my friends recently had pregnancies that were not covered by insurance. They both made arrangements with the hospital and doctor for a discount plan and payment plan. It was quite expensive, but what can you do (neither family is rich, but I don't think they would qualify for state aid.)

The good news was that in both cases the baby was covered and any complications would have been covered as a risk to the mom's health. (they had the same everything-but-maternity clauses.) So you probably don't have to worry that you will be left with a million-dollar hospital bill in case of a preterm baby. But I would definitely check the policy to be sure! Good luck! It absolutely sucks that people end up in this situation because it is so important for every pregnant woman to have great prenatal care.

Have you thought that you may be eligible for the medical card for pregnancy since you wont be covered for a year? Just a thoght.

S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
CAPPA certified labor doula
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

Hi, V., congratulations!!! Don't panic. I'm not sure if you are from indiana but I believe that you will qualify for pregnancy medicaid. I believe, with a pregnancy all that is required is that you don't have access to medical care. In the meantime, eat healthy and try to cut out any bad habits you might have. Good Luck!!