When you’re going to have a baby, thinking about insurance is important. Thankfully, both Marketplace and Medicaid plans help cover pregnancy and birth. This includes if you get pregnant before your coverage starts.
These health plans are there to make sure pregnant women get the care they need. They follow the Affordable Care Act and set limits on what you have to pay.
If you don’t have insurance now, you can still get it through the Marketplace. You must have had a recent big life change, like losing your old insurance or moving. Letting them know you’re pregnant helps you find maternity insurance already pregnant that’s not too expensive.
Medicaid and CHIP are key for those who need low-cost or free insurance. They help people with lower incomes, especially pregnant women. To qualify, they look at your family size, income, and where you live.
If you’re pregnant, you can apply for Medicaid and CHIP at any time. These programs often continue to cover you after the birth for a short while, based on the state.
Understanding Your Maternity Insurance Options
Understanding maternity insurance is key; you’ve got lots of choices. You can get coverage from a Marketplace, your job, or through government programs. Each option helps in its own way, so it’s good to know what you can get. This can make picking the right option easier and keep you from worrying about money.
Marketplace Plans
Marketplace plans all cover the basics, like prenatal visits, labor, and birth. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, you won’t have to pay anything at your prenatal visits. Oh, and if you have a baby, you can change or join a plan at any time. The Marketplace protects you by limiting the most you would have to pay in a year.
Employer-Sponsored Insurance
If your job includes maternity benefits, it can really help with the costs of having a baby. Your employer’s plan might fully cover important services, like check-ups and giving birth. Make sure to look at the plan details to see what you might still have to pay. Most bigger plans have lots of benefits to help keep your costs down.
Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid and CHIP are state programs that help pregnant moms with health insurance if they can’t afford it. Since they’re for low-income families, the requirements to join vary by state. You might be able to get this help before the baby is born. In some states, you’ll keep getting help for up to a year after the baby arrives. Plus, babies born to moms on Medicaid usually get a year of free care.
With these options, everyone should be able to afford important medical care during pregnancy. This helps keep moms and babies healthy, worry-free.
How To Apply for Maternity Insurance While Pregnant
When pregnant, you can apply for maternity insurance during the Open Enrollment Period. Or, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). The birth of a child allows a special sign-up chance.
All Marketplace and Medicaid plans support pregnancy and childbirth. These include prenatal visits, as well as labor and delivery services. Make sure to mention your pregnancy when you apply.
Here are ways to sign up for maternity insurance when pregnant:
- Marketplace Plans: These plans have to meet the ACA’s rules and provide great coverage.
- State Health Agencies: They help with applying for Medicaid or CHIP. These programs offer free or low-cost healthcare during and after pregnancy.
- Medicaid and CHIP: You can apply anytime. Your eligibility depends on your family’s size, how much you earn, and if you’re a U.S. citizen. You can get coverage for at least 60 days after giving birth but maybe even up to a year in some states.
Medicaid and CHIP will also often sign up your baby for coverage if the mother is included. This helps ensure health care for both. Remember, you need to apply for maternity insurance within 60 days of giving birth to keep your and your baby’s health coverage going.
Applying for maternity insurance during pregnancy is key for getting the care you need. It also helps lower the cost you’d normally have to pay for pregnancy and baby care. Without insurance, these expenses could add up to $18,865, especially for those with large group insurance. By using the right help and telling about your pregnancy, you increase your chances of getting the best coverage.
Benefits of Securing Maternity Insurance Already Pregnant
Maternity insurance gives you early access to important prenatal checks and tests. This is key in making sure mom and baby are healthy. Plans from the marketplace and Medicaid include pregnancy care. They cover checks, tests, meds, and tests for issues like anemia and gestational diabetes, even if you’re already pregnant when you start your plan.
Coverage for Prenatal Visits and Screenings
With maternity insurance, expectant mothers can see doctors and get tests they need. It also helps pay for preventive screens. This is important for catching and dealing with problems early. Medicaid and CHIP make these services cheap or free for some women. They aim to make sure moms-to-be get the care they need to have a healthy pregnancy.
Labor and Delivery Services
Maternity insurance covers having your baby, which can be very expensive. On average, women in big group plans spend about $18,865 on having a baby. It takes care of everything from natural births to emergency operations. Medicaid and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 help with more care after birth, up to 12 more months. This extra support keeps the care going after delivery, helping with money and health.
Getting maternity insurance helps in many ways. It eases money worries and leads to better health for mom and baby. It shows how crucial it is to have good care during and after having a baby. This way, parents can just focus on their new family instead of costs.
