Pregnant and Uninsured

Pregnant and Uninsured: Finding Health Insurance and Maternity Coverage

Guard against health insurance gap in case you may one day need maternity coverage

By Meha Ahmad, Insuranceagents.com Staff Writer

When you think health insurance, you might think of two categories: Overpriced private health insurance that you don’t make enough to afford, or government-sponsored options (like Medicaid) that you may make a bit too much to qualify for. This unfortunate middle has aided to the nearly 50 million Americans who are currently lacking health insurance or underinsured. But the lack of health insurance can be worse for those who are expecting an addition to the family.

For pregnant women, health insurance—particularly maternity coverage—is indispensable. Countless doctors visits, prenatal medication, procedures and tests all need to be done during those nine pregnant months. And that doesn’t even include the delivery fees and doctor costs (which can easily add up to much more than $10,000)! With such costs, the need for health insurance can’t be ignored. However, InsuranceAgents.com can help you find maternity coverage health insurance online right now.

Being a pregnant woman without health insurance is definitely a hard place to be. Furthermore, many women who do have health insurance think their policy provides them with maternity coverage. Oftentimes, that is not the case. Many find out too late that there is a gap in their insurance coverage, essentially withholding maternity coverage for women who are pregnant.

For those who are pregnant (or plan to possibly become so sometime in the future) and don’t have sufficient health insurance, here are a few health insurance options still available:

1. Government Funded Programs: Medicaid is a federally-funded, state-run program that provides medical assistance to families/individuals with limited income. Some states have additional options and programs for pregnant women. Check with your state’s health department for more information that may find you the health insurance or medical assistance you need.
2. Women Infant Children (WIC): WIC is a federal agency that provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health insurance referrals, and nutrition education for pregnant/breastfeeding/non-breastfeeding postpartum women with limited low-income. The group also serves and provides these grants to infants and children under 5 years old who are at nutritional risk.
3. Health Care Discount Programs: If you do already have health insurance but there is a gap in your health insurance policy, discount programs may be able to help you find some helpful extra cash. Programs like Maternity Advantage and AmeriPlan can (for a low monthly fee) help you save up to 50 percent or more on doctor’s visits, tests, procedures, hospital stays and more.
4. Get proactive; Set up a payment plan: In case the search for affordable health insurance doesn’t pan out, think ahead. Contact the hospital’s accounting office and find out if you can set up a payment plan or ask about whether or not they offer sliding scales. “Many hospitals do offer these, but they are not utilized because people do not know what is available to them,” according to the National Institute for Reproductive Health.
5. Birthing Centers: If you can’t find proper health insurance, keep in mind that birthing centers are significantly less costly than delivering in a hospital. The cost is literally slashed in half. Delivery and prenatal care costs about an average of $3,000-$4,000. The midwives at birthing centers are certified and should be more than able to take care of a patient and her baby. Many even accept Medicaid and are willing to work out payment plans. The downside to birthing centers? No pain medication. Also, birthing centers lack surgeons in the room if an emergency presents itself.

Whether you are pregnant or just plan on possibly being so sometime in the future, and whether you have health insurance or not, always know what options are available to you should you need them. No woman or child should suffer due to lack of funds or coverage. In fact, according to the National Institute for Reproductive Health, a lack of proper health insurance coverage is the cause of thousands of death each year that could have been avoided.  Finding health insurance that fits in your budget is possible, and free, get free insurance quotes online, compare, and then make the right choice...get covered.

“The inability to access care can have drastic effects,” according to a study by the National Institute for Reproductive Health. Without proper health insurance, people are at a greater risk of death. “[T]he Institute of Medicine estimates that lack of health care coverage results in 18,000 unnecessary deaths in the U.S. each year.”

Don’t let the lack of proper health insurance available to you put you or your child at risk or out of reach from proper medical care. Every mom and child deserves quality health insurance or medical care without having to break the bank. Get a health insurance with maternity coverage quotes to compare through our site.

Published: Friday 21st August 2009