Life Articles

Excitement over a pregnancy could easily turn into worry and anxiety if a woman has no health insurance coverage. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 was created to keep pregnant women from being discriminated against regarding health insurance. Unfortunately, this act doesn't apply to companies with less than 15 employees or individual health policies. Even if a lady has health insurance, pregnancy may not be covered unless a rider to the plan is purchased. These riders are expensive, have limited coverage and usually have waiting periods from six months to more than a year. A report by the National women's Law Center in 2009 showed that just 13% of 3,600 national policies covered pregnancy. Even with these difficulties there're options for pregnant women who're without health insurance.

The average cost for a normal pregnancy, which includes prenatal and post partum care, can be anywhere from $10,000 to $12,000 so it is necessary to find some type of health insurance. For ladies considered low-income there are State programs like Medicaid and WIC that can help with medical care and nutrition. There is also a federal program known as CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program). These programs are run by the Department of Health (DHS) and even if you do not qualify for Medicaid, there may be other programs available. DHS would be able to give you helpful information.

Another option is a health care discount program. This isn't health insurance so there's no waiting period, deductible, coinsurance or pre-existing clause. Some discounts could be up to 50%. You can also talk to your physician or clinic about possible discounts they may give you, such as a cash discount or they may be able to set up a payment plan. Also, there are some clinics that offer medical services on a sliding scale which goes according to your income. These options will cut your in general pregnancy costs.

Many hospitals have their own maternity plans for ladies who are uninsured. These plans include prenatal care, ultrasounds, labs, hospital and delivery costs and post partum care for a flat fee. The average cost is about $2,500. The cost might be a little higher if you have a c-section. If the hospital doesn't have their own maternity plan, they can setup a monthly payment plan for you.

Birthing centers are available for women who do not have high risk pregnancies. These centers are staffed by midwives who have years of experience delivering babies. The centers offer package rates which include prenatal and postpartum care, birthing classes and the delivery. There's a more personal and homey feel at a birthing center and they are generally located near a hospital, in case of an emergency.

There are a lot of options out there to take advantage of. Compare all of the options and benefits available to you before making a decision. This will help you find the best plan that fits your specific requirements.

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