If you're expecting but have no insurance, there may be alternatives available to you that will reduce the money you would have to pay for the delivery of your newborn.
If you're expecting but have no insurance,
there may be alternatives available to you that will reduce the money you would have to pay for the delivery of your newborn. Not exploring your alternatives can result real damage to your financial future.
Your alternatives for pregnancy insurance if you are pregnant include employer-sponsored doctor and hospital insurance, government-sponsored health insurance. Also some non-insurance plans can lower your expenses by helping you get get a lower rate from your hospital.
If you are working and will have a health insurance open enrollment period before your due date, you may be able to acquire health insurance that includes maternity benefits through an employment-sponsored plan. If you're married, you should explore options with your spouse's or domestic partner employer in addition to yours.
If you're going to wed and can do so before your trip to the maternity ward, you may be able to be added to your spouse's or domestic partner insurance before the annual open enrollment period. With most group insurance policies when an employee gets married their spouse is eligible for a special open enrollment period.
You may be eligible for health insurance policies that are available through your local, county or state. Often these health care programs will accept women who are already pregnant.
These policies will probably have benefit or other restrictions. They may limit what they pay and who they will pay. They may limit the doctors and hospitals you can go to.
There may be income requirements. Some policies may require that your income be under a certain level. Others may have no income limit but will ask those with higher incomes to pay more for health and maternity insurance.
You can contact your local health department or Planned Parenthood for information on programs offered in your area. If there are health care insurance options for already pregnant women in your area, they will probably know about it.
If you are unable to find medical care insurance that will cover your pregnancy, there are still things you can do to lower the costs you will have to pay. You can see which hospital in your area has the lowest rates. Hospitals can charge very different rates.
If you can pre-pay your maternity expenses, you can often get a lower rate from your hospital. Discuss this option with the hospital you chose if you are able to do this.
You may also find that there are non-insurance plans available that will allow you to pay discounted rates to your hospital. When an insurance company pays for a person's health care bills, they will pay what is known as the negotiated rate. This can be half what the hospital charges those who have no health insurance. Even if you do not qualify for an insurance policy, you may be able to qualify for the same kind of discount.
You will have more options available to you if you are able to get health insurance before you're pregnant. However, there may be options available to you even if you're pregnant before you begin looking for pregnancy coverage.
Be sure to research all your options if you're currently pregnant and uninsured. Doing so can save you money you would rather invest in your child.
