US Medical Insurance/Pregnancy

[channie14 1]

Is anyone aware of any US medical insurance companies which have reliable coverage plans that include pregnancy?

My fiance and I are planning on having children but his work health coverage won't cover me until after 12 months. What options are available if you become pregnant? Or there are none, you just have to pay for everything out of pocket?

Edited September 5, 2012 by channie14

[Darkmoonfaerie 19]

It depends on your state. Here in MA you can private pay for a number of insurance plans, but they're very expensive. I can't speak for other states though.

[Thomas&Cleofe 358]

You could always do the "unthinkable" and plan to have a child when you can afford it.

[channie14 1]

You could always do the "unthinkable" and plan to have a child when you can afford it.

Your comment isn't necessary. If you aren't going to be helpful or courteous just do people a favour and don't respond. The forum is here to assist people.

It depends on your state. Here in MA you can private pay for a number of insurance plans, but they're very expensive. I can't speak for other states though.

Great, thanks so much for your help

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Is anyone aware of any US medical insurance companies which have reliable coverage plans that include pregnancy?

My fiance and I are planning on having children but his work health coverage won't cover me until after 12 months. What options are available if you become pregnant? Or there are none, you just have to pay for everything out of pocket?

There is emergency medicaid that will only cover the labour.

Some states have funds that will assist with pre-natal things but you need to be careful that they are NOT means tested benefits. Sometimes it will help reduce costs rather than eliminate them all together.

Once you have the child there are programs such as WIC that you would be eligible for.

I personally suggest you visit a health clinic, or planned parenthood and ask for information/look at pamphlets to see what sort of things you're eligible for.

Your other option is to look into a personal plan that you could go on. Not always cheap but you might be able to find on that will just help for pregnancy related thing. Another options (that I've considered) is to return to Australia to have the child.

[channie14 1]

There is emergency medicaid that will only cover the labour.

Some states have funds that will assist with pre-natal things but you need to be careful that they are NOT means tested benefits. Sometimes it will help reduce costs rather than eliminate them all together.

Once you have the child there are programs such as WIC that you would be eligible for.

I personally suggest you visit a health clinic, or planned parenthood and ask for information/look at pamphlets to see what sort of things you're eligible for.

Your other option is to look into a personal plan that you could go on. Not always cheap but you might be able to find on that will just help for pregnancy related thing. Another options (that I've considered) is to return to Australia to have the child.

Great, thanks for that. I've found it so difficult to find information easily online. I considered going back to Australia too, but didn't want to complicate things by doing that and needing more visas for the child etc.

Edited September 5, 2012 by channie14

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Great, thanks for that. I've found it so difficult to find information easily online. I considered going back to Australia too, but didn't want to complicate things by doing that and needing more visas for the child etc.

Child would be a USC so you would just have to file the CRBA which when the father is co-operative can take less than a month

It is REALLY hard to find info online, especially as info varies from state to state.

[channie14 1]

Child would be a USC so you would just have to file the CRBA which when the father is co-operative can take less than a month

It is REALLY hard to find info online, especially as info varies from state to state.

Awesome, THANK YOU!

[C-ma'am 684]

**Moved from K1 to Off Topic. Question is not related to a visa process

[Anh map 2,098]

Have the USC do some of the legwork to find out what is available in the state where you plan to live. His health plan may have some referrals and/or he may be able to buy the coverage through them earlier.

Or, as others have suggested, wait until the family health plan covers the pregnancy.

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

Most private health insurance also has a 12 months waiting period, and is extremely expensive.

If you have the funds, self-paying is an option- you can get good discounts for paying for all routine care ahead of time (we got 33% off for doing so, but till paid over $9000 all in).

[Xanax 349]

Great, thanks for that. I've found it so difficult to find information easily online. I considered going back to Australia too, but didn't want to complicate things by doing that and needing more visas for the child etc.

I am pregnant. I am going back to Australia for the birth. It worked out cheaper even than using my husband's insurance OR paying out-of-pocket and getting a discount for self pay- our self pay OB visits just for the 9 months of pregnancy were $5000 or so + extra for some labs and special ultrasounds. Also as we may stay in Aus for a while we may be applicable for the baby bonus so, free birth/ in hospital care , $5000 which will cover our airfares. It worked out cheaper to go to Aus.

Have a look here, this may also be helpful: http://finder.healthcare.gov/

Edited September 6, 2012 by Xanax

[kytwell 179]

You could always do the "unthinkable" and plan to have a child when you can afford it.

Your comment isn't necessary. If you aren't going to be helpful or courteous just do people a favour and don't respond. The forum is here to assist people.

That's the best advice I've seen given in this thread; aside from going back to have child in your home country. Both straight forward and honest.

Child birth, feeding, clothing, doctor's visits, daycare, health insurance, etc are all expensive proposition's here in the USA.

[channie14 1]

I am pregnant. I am going back to Australia for the birth. It worked out cheaper even than using my husband's insurance OR paying out-of-pocket and getting a discount for self pay- our self pay OB visits just for the 9 months of pregnancy were $5000 or so + extra for some labs and special ultrasounds. Also as we may stay in Aus for a while we may be applicable for the baby bonus so, free birth/ in hospital care , $5000 which will cover our airfares. It worked out cheaper to go to Aus.

Have a look here, this may also be helpful: http://finder.healthcare.gov/

Thanks for that!

[channie14 1]

That's the best advice I've seen given in this thread; aside from going back to have child in your home country. Both straight forward and honest.

Child birth, feeding, clothing, doctor's visits, daycare, health insurance, etc are all expensive proposition's here in the USA.

Thanks for your comments, children are expensive anywhere, not just the US. My question was relating to info on health insurance companies and what assistance is available, if any. I didn't ask for tactless impolite responses from other members.