I was wondering if anyone had any advice. I just found out that I am pregnant (major surprise) and we don't have health insurance. I've looked around online for insurance and everyone keeps telling me pregnancy is a pre-existing condition (meaning I can't get coverage) What do I do? I can't afford to pay the bills myself and I need prenatal care I have a history of 2 high risk pregnancies. Any help would be great! Thanks
p.s. we don't qualify for Medicaid.
I agree with other posts to go ahead and apply for medicaid even if you think you don't qualify. I don't know how it works but you may qualify for the CHIPS program at the very least.
Good Luck and Congrats!!!
First off Congratulations!!!!! What a blessing.....
I work at JPS Hospital and we offer OB Packs it covers your prenatal visits, hospital stay and baby along with your 6 week follow up at a discount rate call ###-###-#### and let them know you will like more info on a ob pack its a great deal and you can pay it out without a problem. Great hospital and newly remodeled maternity ward!!! Goog luck and God bless.
V.
If you truly can't qualify for Medicaid, you should still qualify for Chip Prenatal. It is very cheap. Then when you go to have the baby, I think you apply for emergency Medicaid while at the hospital to cover the delivery. I'm not sure how that part works but they will explain it to you when you apply/get Chip.
Parkland has COPC clinics all over Dallas county. Since you don't have health insurance, you could qualify for free or low-cost prenatal visits at any of their clinics. And, you can deliver at Parkland Hospital (which despite having a bad reputation as the "public" hospital, they have a great NICU and deal with high-risk deliveries all the time) Visit Parkland's website to find a COPC near you.
http://www.parklandhospital.com/medical_services/centers_...
You may have already heard this, but apply for Medicaid. I was uninsured when I got pregnant with my son (also a surprise). At first, they came back and told me I didn't qualify b/c we made too much money, but I stayed persistant and basically wouldn't take no for an answer. There was no way we could afford all the dr.'s appt.'s, not to mention the hospital bill. They eventually approved it. It was difficult, but worth it. My son was covered for his first year, and I was covered for 3 months after giving birth. Congrats on the new baby!
applying for medicaid is worth a shot. if not, if your spouse has group health insurance, pregnancy usually isn't a pre-existing condition anymore. If you don't have group health insurance, most individual health insurances don't offer maternity coverage for routine pregnancies, but may cover a high risk delivery. Check out unicare, humana and bcbs, they sell directly to individuals. Watch of for discount plans that look like health insurance. If you end up being self pay, you need to start figuring out where you want to deliver, and get them to give you a cash price for a routine delivery, and a doctor who will deliver there and also give you a contract for a cash delivery, then remember the pediatrician will have charges as well, and anesthesia if you have an epidural. Working with hosptials that are not private, and use a sliding scale will give you the best deals (parkland, jps...but may not be the best experience). You could always consider a birthing center with a midwife if you and they felt your risks were appropriate. Just ideas...
Parkland hospital has a sliding scale based system, based on your income.
I got pregnant with my daughter when I was inbetween jobs and no insurance. The drive and the wait time sucked but my daughter and I got excellent care.
go to your local health and human services office and apply for medicaid.
