[wannasavemoney]

OK i have health insurance but it does not cover pregnancy. I have filled an app out for Medicaid but honestly do not think i can get it. DH works has insurance but it would be 1000 a month That is insane. so we may have to pay out of pocket for it. anyone know of insurance companies that offer personal maternity coverage?

has anyone heard of maternity card?

please any advice is great.

also this was a completely unplanned pregnancy. after losing our baby earlier this year I did not want any more kids. I was on BC and found out I was pregnant at almost 9 Weeks

[kristieboyd]

Almost every private insurance policy considers maternity a pre-existing condition and you would not be covered. Large group policies (possibly your DHs??) are pretty much the only ones that do not.

I do know that medicaid limits are usually higher for pregnant women than the normal limits, so don't rule that out yet. Also talk with your doctor and explain.....many times they will offer reduced rates for those who don't have any isurance.

Good luck! I know it's an awful thing to have to worry about! Congratulations on your little miracle, though!

[Doodlebug]

In our State we have something called PCAP Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP)

I don't know what state you are in but maybe you have something like this in your state?
I had this for DS#2 and after having him, I automatically received medicaid.

[wannasavemoney]

I have talked with the Dr and hospital about the situation and have gotten a discount but its pretty big still and their quoted price is for a perfect labor.

[Fohrenburger]

Originally Posted by wannasavemoney

OK i have health insurance but it does not cover pregnancy. I have filled an app out for Medicaid but honestly do not think i can get it. DH works has insurance but it would be 1000 a month That is insane. so we may have to pay out of pocket for it. anyone know of insurance companies that offer personal maternity coverage?

has anyone heard of maternity card?

please any advice is great.

also this was a completely unplanned pregnancy. after losing our baby earlier this year I did not want any more kids. I was on BC and found out I was pregnant at almost 9 Weeks

Is this the card you are referring about?

Maternity Advantage - Financial Solutions for Reproductive Health.

Some more info at this site.

Healthbeat: Maternity Card : News : WHOI HOI-19

[BStroh]

I was in your shoes when I was pregnant, our would have been $700 a month. Which needless to say we couldn't afford. I applied for our states moms and babies, it covered me as well as the labor and delivery and DS for one year. It was a blessing. DH and I were praying that we would be accepted. Look into your state's program!!! Don't think you are not eligible because you never know!

[jbarber8]

If you have had healthy pregnancies and births in the past, and you're not at risk, you might want to look into giving birth at a birth center vs. the hospital. It's a lot cheaper, and it's a fixed fee. Our second was born at a birth center. I had insurance, but I wanted to go natural. I loved it! Their fee was $4500 before insurance -- which for you would be less than buying insurance. And they accepted credit cards - can you believe I charged my kid to my VISA?

Good luck!

[num1flygirl69]

I definitely know your panic about the lack of insurance! Three years ago I was laid off from work when I found out I was pregnant. I had kept my cobra insurance but it ran out when I was almost 8 months pregnant. I called all over and kept getting "no" as an answer about covering my pregnancy, and then an agent told me to try BlueCross BlueShield as apparently they are a not for profit company so they accept anybody. I had also been denied any assistance from the state as they said my unemployment pay was too high, yet I could barely live on it. Anyhow, I talked to BlueCross. They said they could waive the pre-existing clause because I had had insurace at some point in the preceding 6 months. I got a 6 month policy for $600 total. I filled out my forms and wrote out my check and my insurace became effective the 1st of the next month, thankfully my son didn't come until the 4th. There was a one month span where I didn't have any insurance, I rubbed my belly everyday and told him he couldn't come for __ more days, then on the 1st I said ok, you can come anytime now. I had to have an emergency c-section and my total dr and hospital bill was $24,000. I had a $250 deductible and BlueCross paid the rest. If I had had my original insurance I would have paid over $3000, so it all worked out for me in the end.

So I would look into BlueCross. I think they are located in every state, and you might be able to waive the pre-existing clause as you do have insurance and this would just be secondary insurance.

Also, in regards to state assistance. I applied again after my son was born and he was accepted for medicaid, I was denied. The worker also told me that they would pay all of his unpaid medical bills, but he didn't have any as I had already paid them. So even though you might not qualify for medicaid the baby probably will once he/she gets here. So if all else fails and you aren't able to get any insurace before the baby comes don't pay the medical bills out of your pocket until the baby is denied medicaid as they won't pay you for any bills you paid they will only pay unpaid medical bills. Just explain to your dr and hospital that you are going to apply for aide again and if you are denied the assistance then you will pay the bills yourself.

HTH and good luck!

[wannasavemoney]

I tried blue cross and many others. they all say in Texas they do not offer maternity coverage on personal policies. I found out that Texas does not require insurance companies to offer it. because its not profitable and it would increase most everyones policy so its either Medicaid which im trying but do not think i can get it or DH insurance @1000 a month or self pay.... so Will have to wait a little longer to find out which I will do

[GrannyGodley]

Don't count on having had normal pregnancies and deliveries and the next (this one) being normal, no risks, no problems. I had 3 very normal pregnancies, then #4 was a real dozzie. I had problems during the pregnancy and after delivery. Major stuff. The baby was fine, I was not. So you do need to get some coverage whether you pay for it or whether your State covers it. Be sure that your husband's policy picks up you and the baby from moment of delivery.

[cry24]

If you are able to, check into Medicaid (just for being pregnant). I too had medical insurance, but the cost was hefty, so I inquired about Medicaid, and was approved for the 9 months I was pregnant and for the 6 week checkup. Hth

[Devins mom]

Look up medicaid requirements for your state. You will count as 2 people, so say ex. you, hubby, and you have one child you would be a family of 4 instead of 3. So your income limit would increase. My son got denied for medicaid cause we made to much for a 3 person family, but when I applied for pregnancy medicaid we got it b/c I counted as 2 and we met the income limit. Also the baby will have insurance until he is a year old. We are very blessed b/c without it I dont know what we would do. Maternity card is not insurance from what I remember they just help you get better rates b/c I inquired about that too. Definately try for the medicaid.

[skbrush]

I was student teaching and uninsured when I got preggo! I was told by JFS I was unable to get Medicaid b/c both children had the same father???? I wrote letters to the state about how people in my town get their insurance, rent, $$, food and everything for free. They drive Caddies and I cannot get insurance coverage b/c I do not have 2 "babies daddies"
Needless to say I finally got coverage by the state and it was cancelled 6 week after he was born.
I am finally covere on my guys ins as a domestic partenr it cost alot extra but I have it.

Check out your state b/c most have a healthy babies/healthy families type program

[kristieboyd]

Originally Posted by GrannyGodley

Don't count on having had normal pregnancies and deliveries and the next (this one) being normal, no risks, no problems. I had 3 very normal pregnancies, then #4 was a real dozzie. I had problems during the pregnancy and after delivery. Major stuff. The baby was fine, I was not. So you do need to get some coverage whether you pay for it or whether your State covers it. Be sure that your husband's policy picks up you and the baby from moment of delivery.

My first 2 were are normal and easy as can be. This one has thrown me for a loop.....constant BP issues, bedrest, PTL contractions & dialation, needing to see a specialist, it has NOT been anything like my first 2.

[wannasavemoney]

thanks for the reminder GrannyGodley. first 2 were great we lost the 3rd now this big surprise so I know I need to get something to cover myself. My insurance covers complications of pregnancy so that could help if something bad happened. I am applying for Medicaid I filed an application on Oct 28 and still no yes or no. I call and go down there a lot so hopefully soon Ill find out either way

[Devins mom]

Originally Posted by skbrush

I was student teaching and uninsured when I got preggo! I was told by JFS I was unable to get Medicaid b/c both children had the same father???? I wrote letters to the state about how people in my town get their insurance, rent, $$, food and everything for free. They drive Caddies and I cannot get insurance coverage b/c I do not have 2 "babies daddies"
Needless to say I finally got coverage by the state and it was cancelled 6 week after he was born.
I am finally covere on my guys ins as a domestic partenr it cost alot extra but I have it.

Check out your state b/c most have a healthy babies/healthy families type program

That is very weird both my son and the baby I am having in january both have the same father and they never did say anything like that to me.

[LindaCheema]

I echo to try for just pregnancy medicaid- not regular medicaid. You may have already, I dont know. Limits are higher for pregnancy medicaid than the regular medicaid, atleast here in NC . We got it when both of us were working. Then I stopped working (bc of daycare costs!!!!), kids have had medicaid since, I haven't had coverage.

Good luck, even if you dont get coverage. You can set up a payment plan, and there should be a discount. I had to pay $150/mo to the dr, ...they discounted it from 3K to 1700 (which is like a year of insurance anyway). And you can set up a separate payment to the hospital if need be--I hope! (I was told for regular csec, 4 day stay it would be about $4500.....) If things havent changed!
Let us know
Linda

[NoahsMomma]

You should be able to get insurance through you local dept of Human services. I lived in Texas from 1996-1998. You have a preexisting condition and can't afford insurance. You will need a copy of your DH Driver License(DL), Your DL, & SSC for Everyone. Your DH will have to sign the application. Make sure you put yourself as head of household. You will need BC for everyone also. Paystubs for the last 30-60 days. Proof of Rent payments/lease or mortgage, Utility bills. It takes up to 30days. Sometimes it faster. The state wants healthy babies, so they will pay if you qualify I know. PM me if you need more info. Check out this info I found:

State of Texas Launches New CHIP Perinatal Program to Provide Health Insurance Coverage for Pregnant Women and Contracts With Community Health Choice, Inc., for 20 Counties