Having health insurance for pregnancy is quite beneficial, considering the skyrocketing costs of prenatal care and childbirth. Pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition, so it may prove difficult to get adequate medical coverage if you're already pregnant. The best plan is to be sure you have health coverage in place before you decide to have a baby, but if this is not possible there are other options to consider.
Most national health plans cover some or all of the costs of pregnancy, childbirth, maternity leave, preventative care, well-baby plans and even adoption, but you must make sure you have elected for this type of coverage. Pregnancy and childbirth may not be covered under the standard insurance plan. If you are considering having a baby, review your insurance policy to see what is covered and if there are any waiting periods or timeframes to consider. Keep in mind that if you have a new health insurance plan or have just switched jobs, there may be a waiting period of up to several months before your insurance coverage begins, or before they are willing to cover your situation. Try to plan your pregnancy accordingly, as you may even experience higher rates or dropped coverage if you are considered to be a high-risk account.
If you aren't enrolled in an employer's or group health insurance plan, or if your health insurance doesn't cover pregnancy, there are other options to consider for financial assistance. If you do an online search and locate an health insurance plan that claims to cover a pregnancy already in progress, be very careful to research and discover any fine print and monthly rates before signing up. You may have better luck contacting your local or state government agencies to find out what programs may be available to help you.
Medicaid is an insurance program available through your local government office that may be able to assist you in paying for medical coverage for pregnancy, childbirth and other related expenses. If you fall within the income brackets for eligibility, you may be accepted even if you're already pregnant. Programs and eligibility requirements vary by location so you'll need to check with your local Department of Health and Human Services office for details. The WIC program may also be able to assist you with food and other benefits.