Question : Health insurance with maternity coverage options?
I'm looking for health insurance that I can have for basic coverage, and at somepoint (if needed) add maternity coverage. Everything I have looked at so far will only cover pregnancy if it is elected from the very beginning (and before conception). The problem is - maternity coverage is expensive - an additional $200 or $300 a month. My husband and I have had difficult time getting pregnant, and the one time we did, it didn't work out. The point is - I need coverage that is truely optional - add at any time - with no waiting period. Has anyone had similiar issues? And what were your results? Please don't direct me to sites like www.insureme.com or www.eHealthinsurance.com I've looked at all of them and they don't offer the specific plans I am searching for. Thank you!
- asked by Allison
All Answers: Answer #1Unfortunately you are seeking a plan of coverage that no insurer is likely to offer. Maternityrelated medical expenses can be huge and the onlyway an insurer will cover those costs is byspreading the costs over many non-pregnantpolicyholders. Since some people choose to gowithout maternity coverage (due to expense orinability to have children for example) manyinsurers make such coverage optional. Howeverthey cannot allow you to add such coverage onlittle notice. It just doesn't make businesssense.A few plans I have dealt with allow addingmaternity coverage with at least one year'selimination period - you have to pay the addedpremium for at least one year before any maternitycoverage would go into effect. Ask an independentinsurance broker for details about suchplans.Depending upon your income level you may beable to receive assistance with maternity expensesthrough a state medicaid plan. Qualifying incomeleves are different for pregnany women.
- answered by Drew
Answer #2
No one wants to sell something that's going tocover $25,000 of expenses, that you only add whenyou think you're going to use it! The mathdoesn't work out!Like saying, I want to only buycar insurance AFTER the accident, because I'm notgoing to use it unless there's an accident!!Youneed to add it from the beginning, or go without.Alternative - if you plan on a home birth with amidwife, it's about $3,000 out of pocket - MUCHMUCH cheaper than a hospital birth, and just assafe if you're low risk. Safer, actually.
- answered by mbrcatz17
Answer #3
As usual, mbrcatz17 has explained thingssuccinctly and with sass. I sympathize with yourplight, but it would be like the insurance companysaying, We’ll accept an extra $300 for 18 months($5400) and shell out four times that to coverprenatal, birth, and maternity expenses. For thecompany, the risk is too great with the rewardbeing too meager. If you cannot afford theadditional coverage, I’ve listed somepossibilities:The possibilities include freeclinics, county health departments, PlannedParenthood, using a birthing center instead of ahospital, the Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)program, and state health insurance programs forwomen and children. However, I would recommendfinding out what you want out of health care (theplace you want to deliver, the doctor and nursingstaff you like, etc.) and work from there. In theshort term, you can go to a free clinic and seewhat they can do for you. I’ve also included alink to a forum about people looking for maternitycoverage.If you want to switch plans and talk tohealth insurance agents who can quickly tell youwhether the type of plan you’re looking for isavailable, try MostChoice.com. Although the onlineprice and feature comparisons won’t be thatuseful, it is an easy way to get in touch withlocal agents without any obligation. Tell theagents what you need and see if they can deliver ahealth plan that’s affordable and includes thefeatures you’re looking for.Here are somequestions to ask about a new prenatal andpregnancy health plan:•Does it cover prenatalcare?•What prenatal tests are covered?•Whatkind of delivery do you want to have and whichtypes are covered?•Is anesthesia covered?•Doesit cover nursery costs?•Are sick and well-babyvisits covered?•How much are co-payments, ifthere are any?•How much is the deductible?•Askto determine how much your bill would be if youused the insuranceYou can find it here:
http://www.mostchoice.com/health-insurance.cfmGoodluck!Barnes@MostChoice
- answered by MostChoice.com
Answer #4
Find all information online
- answered by emariagethai
Answer #5
As far as I know there is no such insurance. However, as a former insurance agent, I can tellyou there is "short-term disability" and"long-term disability insurance". The disabilityplans have a maternity clause that, in mostinstances, will pay approximately 70% of yourcurrent salary while you are off on maternityleave for a period [usually up to 6 months]. Thecatch is you must purchase the disabilityinsurance at least 10 months PRIOR to yourpregnancy. Disability insurance is usually veryaffordable, however. If you earn $35,000 a yearor more, this is a very affordable and veryworthwhile insurance to consider. Last I checkedAFLAC [company name] has a very decent policy. Most of the big houses [such as Prudential, etc.]also offer good policies.If the insurance cost isprohibitive, it never hurts to check with yourlocal Medicaid office. For low income families,Medicaid covers 100% of all of your maternityexpenses including check ups and L&D. You canalways check with them to see if you and yourhusband qualify financially.If you are in a goodpaying job, the disability insurance will help youto take a longer-than-you-may-have-expectedmaternity leave by easing your financial stressduring the time off. It could also be used tohelp pay some of the medical expenses if you arepositioned to have to pay them.Best wishes.Joyce
- answered by Joyce Jones
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