The Affordable Care Act now requires health care plans to cover pregnancy. As a result, more Americans than ever before are able to get the care they need during their pregnancies. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 45% of pregnant women lacked health insurance - but with adequate coverage required by law, that percentage is likely to fall even further. It’s important for expecting mothers to make sure they have health insurance throughout their pregnancies so they can cover any unexpected complications or costs that may arise.
Is Pregnancy A Preexisting Condition?
In the past, insurance companies could turn you down if you enroll in a health plan while you were pregnant. And that time, many insurance companies considered pregnancy a pre-existing condition. However, health plans can no longer deny your coverage if you’re pregnant. In fact, the Affordable Care Act requires all health insurance plans to cover pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnant women are able to enroll in health care plans at any time during their pregnancies and cannot be denied coverage or charged higher premiums due to their pregnancy alone. Additionally, they are also eligible for maternity benefits such as services related to labor and delivery, breastfeeding support, postpartum care, and neonatal care.
Cost of Pregnancy Without Insurance
What to Expect When You’re Expecting explains, “The Truven Report put the uninsured cost of having a baby at anywhere from $30,000 for an uncomplicated vaginal birth to $50,000 for a C-section. And those prices have increased dramatically in the last decade.”
The cost of pregnancy can vary depending on your location. So, if you don’t have pregnancy health insurance definitely find out if your doctor or the hospital that you are going to has a payment plan. Also, see if discounts can be given to you because you are paying out-of-pocket.
How Much Does A Pregnancy Ultrasound Cost Without Insurance?
The average cost of a pregnancy ultrasound without health insurance is estimated to be between $200 and $400. Many insurance plans will cover part or all of the cost of an ultrasound. However, if the insurance does not cover the service then the woman will have to pay for it out-of-pocket. There may be some discounts available through certain providers so it is important to do research ahead of time to find a provider that offers affordable rates. Additionally, many states provide funding for pregnant women who do not have health insurance, which can help cover the cost of prenatal care including ultrasounds.
Best Health Insurance For Pregnancy
Maternity insurance is an essential part of planning for a successful pregnancy. The best health insurance for pregnancy will provide comprehensive coverage for prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, newborn care, and any other associated medical expenses. It’s important to understand what each plan covers so you can choose the best option that fits your needs and budget. Some plans may provide coverage for fertility treatments or prescription drugs while others provide more comprehensive coverage with no out-of-pocket costs. No matter your choice, having health insurance during pregnancy is important in ensuring both mother and baby receive quality medical care throughout the process.
The Affordable Care Act Marketplace
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare was put in place so that every American can receive health insurance, regardless of pre-existing conditions. President Obama’s Affordable Care Act has made health insurance for pregnant women easier to sign up for. In the past, pre-existing conditions were difficult to get insured with but this act cleared the way for women who may have had a previous C-section or complications during pregnancy to have insurance.
The Affordable Care Act made maternity insurance coverage mandatory. This maternity health insurance will cover pregnancy, labor and delivery, and newborn baby care. Lactation counseling and breast pump rental will also be available.
Purchasing marketplace health insurance during open enrollment or special enrollment is a great option for pregnant women. Open enrollment periods are available in most states at least once per year, usually in the fall. During this time, individuals can purchase ACA-compliant health insurance which may include maternity coverage. Additionally, having a qualifying life event like giving birth makes you qualify for special enrollment periods outside of the open enrollment period when they can purchase health insurance. It’s important to check with your state’s department of health and human services to determine available options and requirements.
Medicaid And CHIP
Medicaid is health coverage that is available for low-income Americans, including children and pregnant women. Medicaid is a public health insurance program funded by the federal government and administered at the state level. It provides coverage for lower-income individuals and families as well as pregnant women who meet certain income eligibility requirements. Medicaid can help cover pregnancy-related costs including doctor’s visits, hospital bills, labor and delivery costs, pain relief medications, and even breastfeeding supplies. Depending on the state, Medicaid may also provide additional support such as postnatal care for the mother and nutritional counseling.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a public health insurance program funded by the federal government and administered at the state level. It provides coverage for lower-income children and pregnant women who meet certain income eligibility requirements. CHIP can help cover many pregnancy-related costs including doctor’s visits, hospital bills, labor and delivery costs, pain relief medications, postnatal care for the mother, and nutritional counseling. Depending on the state, CHIP may also provide additional support such as WIC benefits or immunizations for the newborn child.
You can enroll your unborn child into the CHIP program if it is your first child. The regular CHIP program will give a child coverage from birth until 18 years of age. There is a prenatal program that will cover an unborn child for 12 months.
Private Health Insurance Plans
Believe it or not, there are private health insurance companies that offer affordable and comprehensive coverage for expecting mothers. Exploring options in your area, and talking to experienced health agents and brokers will undoubtedly help you find a plan that fits your exact needs.
A good place to start your search is right here. FirstQuote Health specializes in helping individuals and families shop for and compare health quotes in their area, saving both time and money. To get started, enter your zip code, and find coverage within minutes.
Supplemental Maternity Health Insurance
Supplemental health insurance helps you pay out-of-pocket expenses like copays and deductibles when a serious illness or injury happens. Supplemental policies may even help cover the costs of everyday expenses like bills, groceries, and childcare.
Supplemental insurance for pregnancy is an additional policy that provides coverage for medical expenses related to pregnancy, such as doctor’s visits, hospital bills, labor and delivery costs, pain relief medications, postnatal care for the mother, and nutritional counseling. It typically covers any out-of-pocket expenses not covered by your primary health insurance plan such as deductibles and coinsurance. Supplemental insurance policies can be purchased through private insurers or through state exchanges.
Employer-sponsored Health Insurance
Employer-sponsored health insurance is another simple health insurance option for pregnancy. Many employers offer plans that include coverage of medical expenses related to pregnancy, delivery and newborn care. These policies often provide comprehensive coverage with no out-of-pocket cost for services related to the mother’s pregnancy. Employers may even offer special plans that provide additional benefits such as increased financial assistance for a longer duration or expanded coverage for specialized services. Working with an employer-sponsored plan can make prenatal and postnatal care more affordable and allow new mothers to focus on what’s important during this period: their baby’s health.
Getting Health Insurance After Your Pregnant
If you are looking for health insurance and are already pregnant, you cannot be turned down from getting insured because of your pregnancy. You can breathe a sigh of relief. This works for getting insured through an employer or finding insurance on your own.
Can You Switch Insurance While Pregnant?
Yes, you can switch insurance while pregnant. Depending on your state and the type of health insurance plan you have, it may be possible to switch or add coverage during a pregnancy. Some options may include switching from an employer-sponsored plan to an individual plan, applying for Medicaid or CHIP coverage, or purchasing a supplemental policy. Additionally, some states provide special protections for pregnant women that allow them to enroll in individual plans outside of the open enrollment period.
Now, if you have a grandfathered plan or a health insurance plan that existed prior to the Affordable Care Act going into effect, you will need to check with your insurance provider as far as their pregnancy health insurance and if your plan has benefits for your pregnancy. Even if you have pre-existing insurance you have options and know if you do need to reach out to your insurance company.
Bottom Line
Many pregnant women choose to purchase supplemental insurance for pregnancy to cover any additional costs not covered by their primary health insurance plan. FirstQuote Health can help you find the compare health insurance quotes for pregnancy, taking into consideration both your budget and your coverage needs. Once you enter your ZIP code on the website, a team of licensed professionals will work with you to develop a personalized plan that meets your unique needs and helps protect your financial wellbeing during a time when medical expenses can add up quickly.