Finding Health Insurance Coverage While Pregnant

If you are already "with child" and want to buy health care insurance, you are likely to find that it won't be easy to find. Medical insurance carriers know that they are will spend more than you pay in premiums if they insure you and are unlikely to offer you insurance.

Your options are likely to be limited, but there are likely to be some ways that you can lower your health care bills. In some situations, health insurance carriers are required by law to provide insurance.

You could qualify for group health insurance. You might qualify for a government-sponsored policy through your town, county, your state or the federal government. You could be able to get the cost of your hospital stay lowered through negotiation.

You will probably get turned down for an individual health insurance policy, if you applied while pregnant. However, if you currently have a health care insurance policy, you will not be dropped from the health insurance contract because you are carrying a child unless you applied too recently.

Many medical individual policies will eliminate coverage for maternity. If you have one of these medical insurance contracts and are carrying a child keeping may still be worthwhile.

Why? Because most of these policies will cover the complications of pregnancy. Complications might considered a sickness. Normal childbirth is not.

You could want to look at other options if your current policy doesn't cover normal maternity expenses. If you do, make sure that you keep your current contract until you have another contract in place. This can be a lifesaver if you have complications.

Employer-sponsored health insurance, if available to you, will probably be your best choice. These types of plans usually have good benefits and will often have good providers.

Group health insurance could be available to you through your employer. If your due date is after the company's next open enrollment period, you could be able to get the bulk of your pregnancy costs covered by that contract. Getting group health care insurance is often the best choice.

If your spouse or domestic partner qualifies for employer sponsored health care insurance, you could be able to get health insurance through his or her contract. You will probably need to wait until the next open enrollment period to apply for coverage.

Open enrollment periods usually happen once annually, but there are special open enrollment periods also. You can typically be placed on your spouse's insurance if you apply right after you get married. A child can usually qualify to get on a parent's policy if he or she applies before he or she is 30 days old.

Group insurance is often available to the self-employed. In many areas, an individual can qualify for group insurance. You may be able to get health insurance this way as the primary insured or as a dependent.

There could be plans offered through your state, town or county. You could qualify for Medicaid. These government-sponsored plans should be investigated if health insurance through private health care insurance isn't available to you.

You may want to ask your OB/GYN or your local planned parenthood to see what alternatives are available in your area. Options available in different states, towns and counties vary widely. If you are able to find health insurance, you are likely to save a lot. Be sure to do your homework..

You may be able to lower your maternity expenses by prepaying your bill at the hospital. Women who are pregnant often find that the hospital will give them a deep discount if they are able to pay ahead of time.

Shopping around for a less costly physician can also be a good idea. Hospitals in the same town can charge very differently. It can be worthwhile to shop around.

Your pregnancy shouldn't be filled with joy and not worry about money. However, trying to lower your expenses can make being a mom better because you can spend more time focusing on your baby.