Greencard pending and pregnant!

[KierenHby 899]

All potential coverage windows are in the rearview mirror. Neither can she use NHS not being a UK resident. 

Best bet is make arrangements with a birthing center with reasonable plans. 

[Boiler 46,312]

59 minutes ago, Transborderwife said:

I don't think that going back to the U.K. is an option as she's no longer a resident for healthcare purposes.

 

OP, I highly suggest finding a midwife and birthing center.  That would definitely cut down on costs.  

Correct

 

They are not very good at collecting, Nigerian Triplets comes to mind.

[dawning 212]

If you don't want to work with a midwife and birthing center, you might talk to local OB/GYN providers and inquire about their pricing for cash pay.  You might be able to negotiate a not-too-high price.  If they tell you what hospital they usually deliver at you may be able to negotiate a flat fee for delivery with the hospital especially if you are able to pre-pay.

 

The problem with this, and also with the birthing center/midwife option, is that while you may be able to find reasonable rates for a routine birth, those may not cover complications like an unplanned cesarean.  However, that is more likely to be an expensive issue for the baby than for you, and s/he, if not on his/her father's insurance, would definitely be eligible for medicaid type assistance as well.

 

Good luck!

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Just now, dawning said:

If you don't want to work with a midwife and birthing center, you might talk to local OB/GYN providers and inquire about their pricing for cash pay.  You might be able to negotiate a not-too-high price.  If they tell you what hospital they usually deliver at you may be able to negotiate a flat fee for delivery with the hospital especially if you are able to pre-pay.

 

The problem with this, and also with the birthing center/midwife option, is that while you may be able to find reasonable rates for a routine birth, those may not cover complications like an unplanned cesarean.  However, that is more likely to be an expensive issue for the baby than for you, and s/he, if not on his/her father's insurance, would definitely be eligible for medicaid type assistance as well.

 

Good luck!

In that case at the very least, an unplanned cesarean could be either made through payment plans or perhaps partially covered by hospital funds if they qualify financially 

[dawning 212]

Just now, Transborderwife said:

In that case at the very least, an unplanned cesarean could be either made through payment plans or perhaps partially covered by hospital funds if they qualify financially 

Yes, I have definitely heard of people planning a cesarean negotiating the price ahead, so perhaps there could be a contingency in their agreement?

 

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Just now, dawning said:

Yes, I have definitely heard of people planning a cesarean negotiating the price ahead, so perhaps there could be a contingency in their agreement?

 

I'm unsure.  When I had mine due to the nature of the situation the price was negotiated at the hospital as we were paying in cash.  We walked out paying 30% of the charges

[controlla 104]

8 hours ago, michaelahess said:

I entered on an Esta, but then we decided to get married and started the Greencard process. 

 

I will check with my Husband's Insurance, but I'm pretty sure I've missed the deadline now :/ 

Have your husband call his employer health insurance. If you missed the deadline, he would have an option of  submitting an appeal letter explaining that he missed the deadline to add you as a spouse after a qualifying event (marriage). A carefully worded appeal letter explain your medical condition (pregnancy) should get you approved on his insurance. My source of this information is personal experience.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,417]

The labor & delivery and the hospital stay associated with it COULD be covered by Emergency Medicaid, which isn't an issue with the Green Card process. However, your income as a household needs to be under a certain amount to qualify for this.

For prenatal care you can negotiate a fairly reasonable price as cash-pay, uninsured patient. (About $3500 here in TX, I am assuming it's somewhat similar in Maine.)

[EM_Vandaveer 2,417]

If you don't qualify for Emergency Medicaid, make sure to go to a non-profit hospital. These usually have financial assistance programs you can apply to and if you qualify they discount your bill by quite a bit based on your household income. This also will not cause any problems with the immigration process.

Edited February 18, 2017 by EM_Vandaveer

[sparkles_ 456]

Someone can correct mean all this, but didn't Maine expand Medicaid? And that includes pregnancy Medicaid which anyone can get, even an undocumented woman. And pregnancy Medicaid isn't a public charge issue like typical Medicaid because the poverty limits are usually 196%. If already mentioned, forgive me. Didn't read other comments 

Edited February 18, 2017 by sparkles_

[Transborderwife 4,666]

10 hours ago, sparkles_ said:

Someone can correct mean all this, but didn't Maine expand Medicaid? And that includes pregnancy Medicaid which anyone can get, even an undocumented woman. And pregnancy Medicaid isn't a public charge issue like typical Medicaid because the poverty limits are usually 196%. If already mentioned, forgive me. Didn't read other comments 

No they didn't expand for undocumented women.  I believe that the poverty threshold is 250% for that state with pregnancy Medicaid