K.M. asks from Fort Bragg, CA on June 02, 2010
Maternity Insurance - Fort Bragg,CA
I just found out that I'm pregnant with number three (YAY). I called Blue Shield, who I was insured with until today, and found that I was not covered for any pre-natal or maternity or delivery. Furthermore, becoming covered would take a month to process paperwork, and then a 6 month waiting period for coverage to start. That would put me past 9 months of pregnancy, so, I cancelled my Blue Shield, and am on a desperate search for good quick pregnancy/maternity insurance. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas?
So What Happened?™
Well, I went ahead and got Kaiser. Thank you for all the advice. Kaiser took me right away and covers everything, including fully covering maternity. It's a little pricey ($395 a month for me and my two boys) but there is no waiting period and no problem with being pregnant already. Thanks again.
Featured Answers
K.W. answers from Stockton on June 03, 2010
Well I have Kaiser and used them thru both of my pregnancies and with the right dr. LOVED THEM. My first dr. was awesome with my first son, but when I had him for my second, I wasn't happy with him. When I switched (which you can do whenever you want with Kaiser), I fell in LOVE with my new dr. and wish he was still my OB (we moved far enough where it was ridiculous to drive to see him, however I contemplated it for a LONG time).
I believe their rates are fairly cheap and are instant when you apply.
Good luck
K.
where is Fort Bragg??? If it's anywhere near the Vallejo clinic, I'd HIGHLY HIGHLY Recomend the OB I used there.......he was FANTASTIC. He even came in on his day off to do participate in my planned c-section because I was scared.
1 mom found this helpful
S.H. answers from Huntsville on June 02, 2010
Only thing I can suggest is seeing if you qualify for Medicaid. WIC too. I had both when I was pregnant.
1 mom found this helpful
More Answers
K.J. answers from Kansas City on June 02, 2010
Um, too late now, but I'd say you should have kept Blue Shield until after you found a new policy. Now you're uninsured for all medical issues, not just maternity stuff.
Or am I misunderstanding something?
4 moms found this helpful
T.C. answers from Johnson City on June 02, 2010
i say go to the health dept and they will set you up with govt ins and wic both
2 moms found this helpful
M.F. answers from Phoenix on June 02, 2010
Any insurance you get will have a waiting period before they cover maternity. Most insurance companies don't cover pre-natal or maternity care unless you have an HMO policy, which you pay through the roof for. I wish you lots of luck, but I'm afraid you are going to have a lot of trouble finding ANY insurance now, because you're pregancy is considered a pre-existing condition.
There are Maternity "discount" plans that do not fully cover maternity care, but give you a discount on your bills, but I'm not sure how well they work or how much of a discount you will see on your bills. I would talk to your doctor and ask what they accept to help with your options.
2 moms found this helpful
S.H. answers from Huntsville on June 02, 2010
Only thing I can suggest is seeing if you qualify for Medicaid. WIC too. I had both when I was pregnant.
1 mom found this helpful
A.T. answers from Stockton on June 03, 2010
We've had Kaiser for years and really have found it to be great. Take advantage of the pharmacy - they sell lots of OTC medicine and even prenatal vitamins for cheap.
the only thing that is different about Kaiser is that your OBGYN won't deliver your baby, whoever is on duty will. However, both of my babies were delivered by wonderful midwives, nurses and OBGYN's and they really took good care of my terrified hubby too! ( our first born was preemie)
changing doctors and or facility locations is easy too.
Good luck!
1 mom found this helpful
J.C. answers from San Francisco on June 02, 2010
I don't think insurance companies take you once you are pregnant. (the only way is through work, that way they have to take you!)
1 mom found this helpful
S.B. answers from Dallas on June 02, 2010
I researched this a few years ago when we were planning baby number two. It may be different in California, but here in Texas there were only two private insurance companies that would cover maternity expenses. They were much more expensive (when we crunched the numbers, paying for it all out of pocket would have been cheaper) and one of them required a waiting period of one year. We wound up waiting until the enrollment period and adding me to my husband's policy for the year. At one point we we debated what we would do if we had a "surprise" and we learned that a change in career was a reason for being able
to enroll during a non-enrollment period. So we decided if I had to I could go back to work for a few months before going back to being a SAHM. I don't know if it's an option for you, but maybe worth looking into.
1 mom found this helpful
P.W. answers from Dallas on June 02, 2010
getting insurance when you don't have insurance is more difficult. Is it too late to call Blue Shield to wait on that cancellation?
1 mom found this helpful
Email