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By Alston Ballkcom
If you are currently carrying a child and want to purchase health insurance, you will probably find that the road ahead will be rough. Health care insurance carriers know that they are will spend more than you pay in premiums if they insure you and are unlikely to offer you health care insurance.
Your alternatives 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 mandated to insure you.
You could qualify for group medical insurance. You could qualify for a government-sponsored policy through your town, county, your state or the federal government. You might be able to get the cost of your health care lowered through negotiation.
You will probably be denied for an individual medical insurance policy, if you applied while pregnant. However, if you currently have a health insurance policy, you will not be dropped from the health insurance contract because you are “with child” unless you applied too recently.
Many health care individual policies will eliminate coverage for maternity. If you have one of these health care insurance contracts and are “with child” keeping might still be worthwhile.
Why? Because most of these plans will cover complications. Complications could considered a sickness. Normal childbirth is not.
You may want to look at other options if your current plan doesn’t cover normal maternity expenses. If you do, make sure that you keep your current policy until you have another policy in place. This can save you a lot of money.
Group health care insurance, if available to you, will probably be your best option. These types of plans usually have good benefits and will often have good providers.
Group health insurance might be available to you through your employer. If your child is due is after the employer’s next open enrollment period, you could be able to get the bulk of your pregnancy costs covered by that plan. Getting group health insurance is often the best choice.
If your spouse or domestic partner qualifies for group insurance, you might be able to get coverage through his or her policy. You will probably need to wait until the next open enrollment period to request insurance through the policy.
Open enrollment periods usually happen once annually, but there are exceptions. You can probably 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 plan 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 coverage. You may be able to get insurance this way as the primary insured or as a dependent.
There might be plans offered through your state, town or county. You might qualify for Medicaid. These government-sponsored plans should be investigated if coverage through private health care insurance isn’t available to you.
You may want to speak with your OB/GYN or your local planned parenthood to see what options are available in your area. Choices available in different parts of the country, 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 could be able to lower your pregnancy costs by prepaying your hospital bill. Soon-to-be-mothers often find that the hospital will give them a deep discount if they are able enter into a prepayment plan.
Shopping around for a less expensive hospital or doctor can also be a good idea. Hospitals in the same town can charge very differently. It can be worthwhile to compare prices for medical care.
Your pregnancy shouldn’t be a time where money is paramount in your mind. However, making an effort to reduce your costs can make becoming a parent easier.
About the Author: You can find
coverage for pregnancy
prices and blog posts about
maternity insurance
on the author Alston J. Balkcom’s website
Source:
isnare.com
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