Just wondering if anyone has any ideas on what to do if you are uninsured and pregnant. My husband is in between jobs and we found out we were pregnant about a month ago. We checked into pregnancy medicaid, but we do not qualify for it...only by a couple hundred dollars. My jobs open enrollment for insurance is not open until November, and it begins in Jan. I had the option back in April to sign onto my insurance b/c of my husbands job loss, but we thought we would be okay without for a short time. Go figure! The job hunt has been much harder then we had ever expected! Anyway, I don't know if there is anyone that is in the same situation that I am in or has a solution to my problem, but I would love any advice you have to offer! Thanks!
Thanks for everyone's help. I have been out of town for the past couple of days, but now that I am back I have started to check out what you have sent me. I have called the Medicaid office and the rep told me that it was not true that any preg. woman is covered regardless of income but instead regardless of resource...such as cars, money in savings, etc. At this point it does not appear that we are covered for the prenatal CHIPS program either because with my paycheck and my husbands unemployment money it puts us over the bracket once again! I am now going to be checking in with the hospitals and doing the self pay. If anyone has any other info or ideas, they would be greatly appreciated!
Did you check with your company's HR dept.? My company allows me to make changes to my insurance (outside the open enrollment period) if my spouse loses or changes his job - you would likely need documentation to show.
I'm just wondering if you could check into delivering at Parkland. I know the place is kinda scaring walking into it blind-sided, but I work at Children's(next door) and all of our residents have their babies there! They have a great ob team and I don't think it would cost you much, if anything. I know they could point you in the right direction. I'm not sure how it would work out if you don't reside in Dallas County, but get on their website and try and look up the people to contact through it.
Hope this helps!
Here is the website address:
http://www.parklandhospital.com/medical_services/womenInf...
This gives the number to the OB clinic.
How could you not qualify, especially since your DH is between jobs. Just asking. Do you work? I know the income bracket is pretty big.
T.,
My hubby is self employed so we paid cash for all 4 babies. The Tenet Health System (Doctor's, Triniy and JPS) have a good cash deal that covers labor/delivery and a 48hour stay for mom and baby. Just discuss a payment plan w/ your OB. Once the baby is born s/he should be covered which means your hospital Pedi bill will be takn care of (or at least some of it!)
Good Luck!
D.
If you think you might be interested in midwifery-based care and birthing at a birth center, it's cheaper (usually by at least half) than a hospital birth, as well very personal, attentive care.
For a free consultation and tour of our birth center, you can email me at ____@____.com or call me at ###-###-####.
C. Martin, CPM, RN
When I found out I was pregnant, I was in between jobs, and I needed to get on Medicaid. I tried at the local Medicaid office, and they were rude and very unwilling to help me. I ended up going out to the Medicaid office at Parkland Hospital and they were great.
Another option would be to go through a midwife. It's usually much cheaper than going to an OBGYN, and they have a much more personal approach. If you're into having a natural birth, I could give you the phone number of the midwife I went to, and they can probably help you out.
Let me know.
Not to sound rude, but go back and check the archives for other similar questions. There have been several good answers that can help you. I am in your same situation and have chosen to use Trinity Medical Center in Carrollton. They have the best uninsured discount I have found. More details are in those old questions. If you can't find them, feel free to drop me a note and I'll share what I have found. Congratulations.
A friend of mine at church had her last baby with no insurance...and she's a very frugal minded gal. She investigated all her options and decided that Trinity Medical in Carrollton was the best decision. So I concur with the other moms who mentioned Trinity. congrats!
The law changed as of July 2006 and unless you make an obscene amount of money, every pregnant woman HAS to be approved. Check again.
Actually, I am not sure who told you that you make too much, especially since your husband is between jobs, but it is state law that uninsured pregnant women be approved for medicaid, unless they make an obscene amount of money. I would check back into the medicaid since it is free, and it sounds like you really need it...
