Pregnant Without Insurance or a Job. Please Help Advise Me

http://www.dallasmidwife.com/

Dinah Waranch was the midwife in charge of my care for both my pregnancies. (My first was a twin birth and the second was just a singleton.) She accepts Medicaid as well as cash.

You should qualify for WIC if your annual income is less than $32,560 (for a family of 3). See more information at:

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/

They will provide nutritional foods for pregnant mothers & children under 5. They also provide a lot of educational information & can refer you to other programs & options you may qualify for such as Medicaid. If you qualify for Medicaid, they would cover your prenatal & birth costs.

I personally am 36 weeks pregnant & using a midwife since I don't have medical insurance. I used the same midwife with a homebirth with my first son. It was a great experience & I feel very comfortable with her medical background that she would transfer me to a hospital if there was something wrong. Her website it BellaBirths.com - Kathleen Mayorga. She just moved to the Allen Birth Center. The cost is aroung $3000 which you can make in payments

If you chose a midwife for a homebirth or a birth center & needed to go to a hospital for an emergency or other complication, the hospital could not turn you away since you didn't have insurance. Most will allow you to work out a payment plan or refer you to programs if you are considered low income.

I hope that helps. Congratulations.

Trinity Medical Center offers a program called
"MOMS" that can help people in your situation. Call ###-###-#### and ask to be connected to the MOMS program. Angi can then help you. She can help you with emergency medicaid, finding an OB, getting you set up with appts and all that good stuff. Do not worry...you'd be in great hands!!!

Hi A.,
You more than likely would qualify for Medicaid. Financially if you meet the income bracket, you should qualify. They have Medicaid that is specifically for pregnant women. It last for 11 months for you but you will still have coverage for the baby to cover all well baby visits. Contact Health and human services department for your county and they give you more information. http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/Help/HealthCare/Women/index.h...
If you do not qualify for medicaid there is also CHIP. http://www.chipmedicaid.com/english/cover.htm

Feel free to contact me if you need further information. I'd be happy to help you through the process. You can email me at ____@____.com.I've recently experienced this situation and know how it feels. Be strong and take courage. It is well with you.

I'm an insurance agent and fully understand how these things work within the medical profession. First EVERYTHING in healthcare in negotiable and almost every hospital offers a cash price for child birth. In many cases it is cheeper to have a child without insurance than with, providing there are no complications. That cash rate in the DFW area today is between $3800.00 and $5600.00 depending on the hospital. As far as insurance in concerned, there is no company other that a group plan that you could be insured on since your already pregnant. Now saying that there is a company out of New York who offers a maternity indemnity plan that pays you cash while in the hospital for your deliver as well as the medicare rate that the hospital accepts for their charges, between those two features it almost covers the entire delivery, it cost about $270 monthly. I hope this information helps and may God Bless you and your family aboundantly.

A.,

First -- I can imagine how overwhelming this can all feel. This child will bless you in many ways though and the Lord knew what was going on in your life when he decided to bless you with a child.

Individual health carriers really don't offer maternity coverage any more. Even if you found one that did, it wouldn't cover an existing pregnancy that occured before the coverage began.

I would suggest you or your husband get traditional employment. Those policies WILL cover maternity. Not sure of your missionary status but one of your sponsoring churches may be able to add you as an employee and you could get covered through them. If that is not an option, that getting a job in the workplace would be the option here in the states. Perhaps this is God leading into some other area at this time in your life. I do have friends who are missionaries in Thailand. Not sure what part of Asia you are in but I know they would offer info on options there if that is helpful to you. If so, please email me at ____@____.com and I'll get you their contact info. Good luck to you! We'll pray for God to provide for you and your family -- especially some peace!

As someone who previously went through this not long ago, I know you may not like it, but your best option is Medicaid. THEY HAVE NO CHOICE EXCEPT TO COVER YOU BECAUSE TRADITIONAL INSURANCE WILL NOT TOUCH YOU. They will cover all your Dr. visits, any procedures, labor and delivery, and they will cover the baby for at leaset one year after the birth. They will also cover you for your visit to the OB for your follow up after you have the bay.
Most traditional insurance will not touch you as it is too expensive to take on a pregnant patient. I found out the hard way that the sales person may tell you they will, but you wont find out untill far too late that they are not going to cover any of it. I have also volunteered with the Dallas Pregnancy Resource Center, if you need any further assitance or need more questions answered or just need to talk, you can call me on my cell at ###-###-####

If you are unemployed you should qualify for medicade. Go to the social services office in your area and see what you qualify for. you can also go to Parkland Hospital. but start with social services and see what services you qualify for. no private insurance will accept you since you are pregnant but you may qualify for some assistance.

And to the people who are really dogging the hospital birth... I wanted to have a natural birth but If I had both me and my baby would have died. Every one needs different things and many women are not able to deliver vaginally , naturally or at a birth center because of one reason or another. and just because a method is right for you does not mean its right for everyone. I personally know at least 4 women, not including me, who have had complications durring or after birth that would have killed them or the baby if they had been at home or in a birth center.

Good luck with what ever you decide.
A. J

Hi A.,

First thing Monday, you need to go apply for medicaid. ALL of your OBGYN medical costs for pregnancy will be completely covered AND your baby will be covered for the first year of his/her life once born.
I agree with the others when they say it does not mean you will have to go to a medicaid only clinic or a dirty one. There are MANY excellent OB's out there these days that accept medicaid now and you can get great treatment at a nice hospital. You should qualify w/out any problems if you are not working and even if you become working you should still very likely be able to stay on medicaid throughout the pregnancy.

Good luck to you and I wish you the very best! Feel free to message me if you ever have any questions.

Hi A.,

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Does the organization that you are missionaries for not offer any type of insurance plan? If not you can look at Medicad or I know a guy that you can talk to about insurance as well. With Medicad you will have to get a pregnancy test performed by a Dr. or Nurse to verify your pregnant. I volunteer at the Dallas Pregnancy Resource Center and we do offer Free pregnancy test for verification for medicad. This is just one of the resources that we offer. I know you want to check out all your options. Greg Hammons is who I would recommend talking to about insurance. His number is ###-###-####. If you call him please tell him I gave you his name. If you have any questions you can email me at ____@____.com

Thank you for sharing God's message to the world.

M. D.

Well, being in the position that you are in, we all know that God has his reason for giving you this gift now. Also, He will provide. Be strong in your FAITH and know that He will take care of it!
God bless and congratulations!

I used a mid-wife for my last two children and gave birth at home. The cost is much more reasonable than having a baby in the hospital and the experience is wonderful. My midwife is Kathleen Mayorga and I think her website is www.bellabirths.com

You can sign up for medicaid which will cover the cost of your pregnancy and delivery. It will also provide coverage for the baby after it is born.

Because of your history, you might want to check with a local midwife, Sarah Jones. She grew up in China and was a missionary midwife in the Phillipines. Her website is www.sarahjonesmidwife.com . Midwives charge a lot less than doctors, and most will work with you on finances if that is a problem. Some even take Medicaid, although I'm not sure Sarah does.

I delivered my second child at The Birth and Women's Center on Swiss Ave. The prenatal care was so much better than I got at a Dr. with my first. The price of the delivery was much, much less. All in all it turned out great.

A., sure go apply for medicaid, You cand choose your own doctors and hospitals as well. Also the insurance will carry over for you to choose a pecitrician. Congrats,goodluck!! And GOD BLESS D. S.

You and your child both would qualify for WIC (Women's Infants & Children's services which include healthy foods. You also will probably qualify for Medicaid. You should go to the Parkland clinic (don't have their number) nearest you--call Parkland for free prenatal care. I would say your chances of delivering a healthy baby in the US are probably considerably greater in the absence of funds and insurance.

You should contact your local Health & Human Services Office and apply for Medicaid. I am not sure what kind of an income you have, but you may qualify for Medicaid, which would cover your prenatal care, the delivery, and the baby after he/she is born. If you don't qualify for Medicaid they may have some other options to offer you. It doesn't hurt to try. If you do qualify for Medicaid, they would also offer you food stamps to help with food costs. You can also apply for WIC (Women Infants Children) that would give you milk, beans, juice, eggs, cereal, cheese, and even fresh veggies during the summer. Don't be ashamed to go and ask for help - that is what they are there for. I know God will take care of you and your baby and everything will be fine. This baby is going to change your life - be happy and look forward to this miracle.

I'm not sure about insurance, but if you chose to have a homebirth or a birth in a free-standing birth center with a midwife attending, your costs would be significantly lower. I had my baby at the allen birthing center and had a fabulous experience. www.allenbirthingcenter.com

If you have any more questions about using a midwife, let me know. I would be happy to talk more about it.

I had my daughter at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. It's at Walnut Hill & I75. They have a wonderful clinic, women's facility with private birthing rooms and a social worker on site to help with all the Medicaid paper work and whatever else you need. This was 13 years ago, but I'm sure they still provide the same quality service. Good luck and congratulations!

You should be able to get Mediciad for pregnancy, which will cover all of your prenatal, birth and postnatal as well as the baby's medical for one year.

Being on Medicaid does NOT mean you have to go to Parkland or a nasty clinic. You can get a great doctor, fabulous care, and deliver at a good hospital. I don't think you even need to go to the Medicaid office for an appt if you're applying for Medicaid. Simply mail or fax your app along with a copy of your photo ID or birth certificate (both sides), proof of income (if any) and proof of pregnancy (Planned Parenthood will do a pregnancy test for about $40 and give a paper stating that you are pregnancy). When/if you're approved you'll receive a packet with instructions for choosing a plan & an OB; there are several plans from which to choose, each with a booklet describing the services for which you'll be approved and a list of doctors who accept the plan. Lots of doctors are listed; some will require you to be approved by their office, so make sure the doctor willa accept you before you fill out the Medicaid papers listing that OB as yours. Make sense?

yourtexasbenefits.com

The link above will allow you to print an application or have one mailed to you.

Good luck!

Congratulations! You have gotten som good advice too from what I have seen. I know that you can also call and find out how much it would cost to get prenatal care and what the delivery and post would be. Most drs and hospitals will give you an idea and it will be different than what an insurance will be. They usually charge more to the insurance so that they get paid. They can offer you payment plans as well. They are usually helpful if you are doing it ahead and planning. I would start with what hospital you want and doctor. I have had to this before because we weren't sure if we were going to have insurance. I also had a friend who did do that. It was helpful because they could budget it in. You can also look into free clinics around the area too. Planned parenthood can help too. They have resources and know where to send you to get the care you need. Good Luck!

Congratulations! You might also contact Parkland Hospital in Dallas. They would be able to help you with information about services for uninsured moms. They have social services programs available.

Make sure and take those prenatal vitamins!

Wow!! Thank you for your service to the Lord.
My husband and I qualified for medicaid that is always a possibility. Or a birthing center which would mean natural childbirth. We looked at a place in Denton, close to home, the total cost was $3500.00 included prenatal care and birth. Congratulations!! and best wishes!!

You should try to apply for medicaid. Medicaid pays for your doctors visits, any medicine you might need while your pregnant, delivery, sonos, and the baby will automatically be on medicaid the first year of their life. Your medicaid coverage will end after you go to the doctor for your six week check up after you have the baby. You also get to pick your own doctor. You should also try to see if you can get W.I.C. This will help you with the baby formula unless you plan on breastfeeding. With W.I.C you'll be able to get things like milk,cheese,and peanut butter now while your pregnant. And then once you have the baby you'll still be able to get those things for about six months. They'll give you vochers for baby formula, baby cereal, and juice.

Hey there. I work at Presby dallas. We have a womens health clinic and as long as you are approved for medicare they will manage you. You can also check out www.birthcenter.net . This is the Birth and Womens Center across from Baylor in dallas. I also work ther as a post partum assistant. We see lots of families with no insurance. The cost from your first visit to your 6 week post partum check is just below $5000.00. That includes all of your regular labs, a papsmear, all appointments, delivery, etc.

Good luck!
A.

Apply for Medicaid.

My daughter does not get insurance through work and she makes a decent wage. She just had her second child on Monday.

Texas and the US have a commitment to child and maternal health care. To have infant mortality rates at the levels we have in this country is a disgrace and the government is committed to doing something about it.

My daughter's doctor was Dr. Scroggins in Bedford. What he's lacking in personality, he more than makes up for in skill.

You can try medicaid or ask for a charity application to a non-profit Hospital where you can deliver it should be in the county you are living. If you do qualify for charity at a non-profit Hospital and show that to the OBGYN that will deliver sometimes they will do the same for you...Good Luck and congratulations!