If you’re pregnant for the first time, it won’t be long before you discover how shockingly expensive it can be to carry a pregnancy to term. From the prenatal vitamins’ cost to the hefty price tag associated with diapers, expecting parents must acknowledge that adding a baby to the family will be equal parts financially and emotionally-taxing.
Regardless of your current financial situation, expect that prenatal costs will run much higher than the delivery costs. Of course, that’s only true if you don’t suffer complications and are able to bypass the cesarean (C section) process.
If you don’t have insurance, the costs related to your pregnancy could place a tremendous amount of stress on you and your family, potentially threatening your health and the baby’s health. The most productive way to deal with these costs is to capitalize on trending resources like AHiX Marketplace, a health insurance marketplace option that fulfills your healthcare needs. Remember, a healthy and happy pregnancy often translates to a healthy and happy baby.
Are you in need of tips related to acquiring comprehensive insurance plans when already pregnant? If so, read on. This insider knowledge will help you save you time and find affordable healthcare insurance options.
In This Article
Know your rights regarding insurance
Eligibility to apply for after-the-fact health insurance is a product of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In 2009, Congress and President Barack Obama passed and signed the ACA into law. Under this law’s provisions, insurance companies are forbidden from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions. With that said, most insurance providers don’t list pregnancy as a pre-existing condition, according to Healthcare.gov.
Despite these exceptions, a provision of the Affordable Care Act addresses matters of pre-existing pregnancies. According to the ACA, maternity and newborn care are deemed essential benefits, which means insurance companies:
- Can’t deny you coverage if you’re already pregnant
- Can’t charge you higher premium rates
- Must offer coverage from the beginning of the pregnancy to delivery
Knowing what services are covered by insurance
Not only does the ACA dictate that you have a right to healthcare insurance coverage, but it also clearly spells out what costs insurance companies must cover. These non-negotiable services include, but aren’t limited to:
- Outpatient services: Includes pre and postnatal care
- Inpatient services: Doctors, hospitalization, and emergency services
- Disease screenings
- Prenatal vitamins and medicines
- Labor and delivery costs
- Certain portions of newborn care: intensive care, premature hospitalization, etc
- Lactation counseling and equipment
- Tobacco and drug intervention counseling
How to find the most suitable/affordable health insurance
Before you start searching for healthcare insurance, you’ll need to consider your employment status. If you’re currently employed, there’s a good chance you’re eligible for an employer-sponsored healthcare insurance plan. Most beneficiaries will qualify even if you’ve chosen to forgo coverage in the past. If you aren’t employed, you’ll need to purchase private insurance from the marketplace.
While there are a few decent exchanges out there, it might be easier to enlist the services of an insurance agent. Most agents have access to hundreds of healthcare plans across the country. When speaking with your agent, you should provide information concerning your medical history and current financial circumstances. This insight will help these insiders do a better job of locating an affordable policy that meets your needs.
If for any reason, you can’t afford even a basic policy, you might qualify for Medicaid and or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. By definition, Medicaid is a state-run insurance program for low-income individuals. In the case of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, coverage is available for uninsured children. However, some states extend this coverage to pregnant women, as well.
Other options
Those individuals unable to qualify for some kind of insurance coverage are widely considered to be an anomaly. However, there are always exceptions to the rule. If you find yourself in a position where you can’t find affordable insurance, there are a few other types of payment options. They include:
Help from charitable organizations
Planned Parenthood
Some hospitals offer “self-pay rates” for low-income individuals
In summary
It’s in your best interest to start thinking about insurance the moment you find out you’re pregnant. This proactive planning strategy will give you plenty of time to sift through a top-ranked insurance exchange to find the right insurance plan for you and your family.
Overlooking the importance of diligent prenatal care may result in unpleasant pregnancy compliments or even stillbirth. Remember, no mother is exempt from these critical prenatal visits, regardless of their current financial situation. Luckily, with reputable health insurance marketplaces, affordable healthcare lies within the realm of possibility for low-income expectant mothers.
