Moved to the US in Fed and I am 2 months Pregnant need help.

[Mrs Rhoades 0]

Hi,

I need your help I just got in to the country with a k3 visa and my husband just came home from Iraq. He has a job but he is temp and we don't have any insurance I don't have a ssn yet we were told we would have to pay over $3000 to have our baby can anyne help or give some advice.

[Otto 83]

Home from Iraq...meaning he's military? (He should have medical privileges right?)

[Minya's wife 25]

who told you you have to pay $$ to have your baby. does your husband not have any health insurance through the veteran's administration? perhaps there is some assistance they can offer you as the wife of a serviceman? have you looked into that? what about social security, why do you not have that yet?

just FYI as a worst case scenario....a county hospital cannot refuse to treat you, so if you're in labor, you can go there and have your baby, without having to pay up-front. they may bill you later, but they cannot refuse to help you give birth. pre-natal care is what you have to resolve now.

good luck,

-P

[Mrs Rhoades 0]

Home from Iraq...meaning he's military? (He should have medical privileges right?)

No he go discarged.

[Minya's wife 25]

Home from Iraq...meaning he's military? (He should have medical privileges right?)

No he go discarged.

as a veteran of the army, especially of a war, there are still medical privileges he can avail himself to...unless his discharge is 'dishonorable'.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

who told you you have to pay $$ to have your baby. does your husband not have any health insurance through the veteran's administration?

3 words, "pre existing condition".

perhaps there is some assistance they can offer you as the wife of a serviceman? have you looked into that? what about social security, why do you not have that yet?

just FYI as a worst case scenario....a county hospital cannot refuse to treat you, so if you're in labor, you can go there and have your baby, without having to pay up-front. they may bill you later, but they cannot refuse to help you give birth. pre-natal care is what you have to resolve now.

good luck,

-P

[Mrs Rhoades 0]

Home from Iraq...meaning he's military? (He should have medical privileges right?)

No he go discarged.

as a veteran of the army, especially of a war, there are still medical privileges he can avail himself to...unless his discharge is 'dishonorable'.

He was Honorable Discharge, He servied 2 years in Iraq. DSS told me I had to be in the country for 5 years for them to cover us. And we did look into what they are offering the Veterans and you have to be injured or really hurt for they to help you.

[Otto 83]

who told you you have to pay $$ to have your baby. does your husband not have any health insurance through the veteran's administration?

3 words, "pre existing condition".

Not sure what preexisting condition has to do with anything - they've been married 2+ years - apparently while the husband was on active duty.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

who told you you have to pay $$ to have your baby. does your husband not have any health insurance through the veteran's administration?

3 words, "pre existing condition".

Not sure what preexisting condition has to do with anything - they've been married 2+ years - apparently while the husband was on active duty.

For those not covered by an insurance policy (which appears to be the case here), getting coverage under it is oft restricted by "carrier" to exclude PEC's. Based on her not being covered earlier, that excuse could easily be used against her.

[BermyCat 1]

who told you you have to pay $$ to have your baby. does your husband not have any health insurance through the veteran's administration?

3 words, "pre existing condition".

Not sure what preexisting condition has to do with anything - they've been married 2+ years - apparently while the husband was on active duty.

For those not covered by an insurance policy (which appears to be the case here), getting coverage under it is oft restricted by "carrier" to exclude PEC's. Based on her not being covered earlier, that excuse could easily be used against her.

That all depends on the insurance company and what policy you have. Some insurance plans, like the PPO we have, don't exclude pre-exisitng conditions. Some will cover them if you can prove that you've had other coverage up to your enrollment in their plan.

I'm really surprised that there's no arrangement for returning veterans to have health insurance for themselves and their families for a little while. I hope you guys find a reasonable solution.

~ Catherine

[aidan80 9]

I can't really offer any advice to the poster other than consider maybe not having your baby at a hospital. People have and are still all over the world having babies the old fashioned way without some man/woman in a white coat sticking their hand up ye'r tang and telling you what to do. To be honest if cost is an issue and safety is also an issue consider finding a good midwife in your area. I'm sure 9/10 a good midwife will be not only less expensive but will likely have a lot more birth related experience and practice than the average doctor.

Just a thought.. then again I supposed I'm biased as my wife is training to become a midwife.

Good luck!

[kaffy 2]

a birth center would be a good option for keeping costs down if you can't find insurance between now and then

otherwise I would find out if you qualify for your state's medicaid program. Here in Washington even illegals are covered so I would assume a legal immigrant can receive coverage too

third option would be to have your husband find himself a permanent job with insurance benefits ASAP. Yes, the economy is terrible at the moment, but there are jobs out there, including good jobs with great benefits. He just has to really want it and go for it

[amysaid 9]

Yeah, look into Medicaid, or midwives, like another person mentioned. In the state of Oregon, EVERY pregnant woman can receive healthcare, regardless of her immigration status -- we even have illegals here who receive healthcare. So since you are here legally, I would imagine you would qualify for some sort of program. Contact your local county/city/state department of Health and Human Services.

[AlHayatZween 2]

Yes, indeed, pregnancy is considered "a pre-existing sickness"... i just found this out recently myself. And i am stunned that there are not more services allotted to vets & their families.

But to address the immediate: Pregnant women who can't afford insurance are almost always eligible for Medicaid. What city/state do you live in? If there is a medical clinic nearby, i suggest dropping in to talk to someone... And if worse comes to worse, call the hospital and ask if there is someone you can talk to about enrolling for Medicaid benefits.

Really wish you the best of luck!

[chris4gretchen 1]

Hi, she wouldnt be eligible for medicaid/medicare if she came on a K1 or K3 visa since the sponsor swears on the affidavit of support that the recepient of the K1/K3 wont be a government charge and on any government aid programs. However the child once born, if born here would be a us citizen and eligible for medicaid/medicare.

I know since we just went thru it, and had our child. We had no insurance at first, got it after and nothing of the maternity was covered. We had to pay out 14K in expenses out of our pocket to cover the expenses of the birth.

If she has not been in the USA for 6 months prior to getting the insurance, she wont qualify for most carriers being an immigrant. Only group insurance covers any maternity expenses, not individual coverage. I have blue cross now for my wife and kid and it still doesnt cover anything maternity wise. Being self employed i have individual insurance on us not group. We were eligible for a cash discount program at our hospital, but not medicaid or medicare.

and pregnancy is a pre existing condition unless you have group medical insurance. Unfortunately if you are here illegally you have more programs and rights than if you are a legal immigrant as we found out. If you are here illegally you can have a free health care.

Chris

Yes, indeed, pregnancy is considered "a pre-existing sickness"... i just found this out recently myself. And i am stunned that there are not more services allotted to vets & their families.

But to address the immediate: Pregnant women who can't afford insurance are almost always eligible for Medicaid. What city/state do you live in? If there is a medical clinic nearby, i suggest dropping in to talk to someone... And if worse comes to worse, call the hospital and ask if there is someone you can talk to about enrolling for Medicaid benefits.

Really wish you the best of luck!

Edited June 17, 2009 by chris4gretchen