H*e*l*p*

Updated on November 19, 2007
M.M. asks from Kenosha, WI
19 answers

I am on state insurance my mom is saying me and my boyfriend will have to pay it all back.that the state will take money from his checks and take his whole tax return for every doctors visit or anything we do while im on this insurance.Ive been asking people and they say that its not true he has to pay for half the cost of the birth and thats it....Im scared what is the truth?????

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J.B.

answers from Chicago on

In my experience, not true.

My son was on Hoosier Healthwise for a while when my husband was laid off and we didn't have to pay back anything. And he was a sick baby so he went to the dr a lot.

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M.O.

answers from Chicago on

If you are on the moms and babies insurance then that is not true. That service is a free service or low cost insurance that should not have to be paid back. If you are able to pay a small premium then that would have been predetermined.

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S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I went through the exact same thing when my daughter was born. After the birth of the baby, he'll receive a letter from the state. It will be a notice that he is being sued for child support. If you decide to continue with the lawsuit, you'll get a court date and he has to pay for half of the cost of the birth. If you decide not to continue with the support case, you will lose your Medicaid coverage. Neither of you will have to pay anything back to the state. Your baby will still be eligible for Medicaid. When we went down to the office, the lady was very helpful. She was way better than my regular case worker. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me. Congrats on the boy!

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S.

answers from Indianapolis on

Medical is free. If there was a premium payment that you needed to pay, your caseworker would have told you up front. The only time the state goes after the absent parent is for the cash assistance.

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

I know that while I was on medicaid during my daughter's birth we usually didn't have to pay much (like a $5 copay for doctor's appointments or something - most stuff was just free). However, I was married and my husband had been laid off and was temporarily at a job that didn't provide insurance or pay enough. They looked at our family income and went from there. I don't know how it works with unmarried couples - It may also differ based on whether he is living with you or not - I would contact your caseworker and ask them.

Just a word of note - when dealing with Medicaid - just give them as little information as they ask for and the process is generally easier.

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S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Here is my situation. I was also on state insurance (pregnancy Medicaid) to continue my state benefits after my twins were born, he had to register to pay child support (even though he is involved, he is considered by the state "Absent Parent" because we are not married). He has to pay child support every week, and the state is now taking my child support to pay back my Pregnancy Medicaid. Our total bill was like $60,000 and he has to pay back $16,000. He also recieved a letter stating that they will take his tax return because he is considered "behind" on child support since he owes this hospital bill. So sad to say that unfortunately good Daddy's are hit hard, even if they're completely involved, just because you're not married. My boyfriend even stays home with the twins while I work, and has to pay this child support every week. Doesn't make much sense, but it is the harsh reality.

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H.E.

answers from Chicago on

Go on public aid, its free & and they will sign you up immediately since your pregnant and you won't have to pay a dime back. I was even allowed to pick which hospital I could have my daughter at which was Christ Hospital and is one of the state's best. If you live in cook county, you can have them sign you up in the women's health clinic at the courthouse in Bridgeview. I don't know anything about state insurance, but I come from a middle class family and was force to go on publicaid and i was ashamed at first but I didn't have any insurance otherwise so I had no choice. I'd do it again rather than have to pay it all back!

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J.C.

answers from Chicago on

I didn't have the state insurance until after my son was born, He was born in Dec. and I think I started getting the insurance in Feb. When I got it my caseworker told me that any unpaid dr bills from Nov. on would be paid by them. So they actually went back 3 months and covered everything. My neighbor (who's fiance also lives with her) who told me about the insurance had it for her entire pregnancy and they paid everything 100% except she used her dr. who didn't accept the state insurance and she had to pay that dr.'s bill. So as long as your dr. accepts it you should be fine but it would still be a good idea to call your caseworker and see. Congrats on the baby boy. I hope everything works out with the insurance!

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N.S.

answers from Chicago on

My husband has work insurance and I have state insurance along with all 5 kids. We just had a boy in Oct and the state covers all of it as long as your not pying a premium. They are different levels of state insurance. But if they didnt say you had to pay a premium then you probably dont. Good luck

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P.S.

answers from Milwaukee on

I think he only has to pay the state back half of the birth costs. A court date will be set after the birth of your baby to set up mandatory child support because you are on the state insurance. You can call your case worker and ask just what he has to pay.

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K.S.

answers from Chicago on

I was living w/my bf when I got pregnant, we were NOT married, and I told public aid who the father was. I do believe he was even on my application, because neither of us was making much money or had insurance at the time. He hasn't had to pay back anything, and our son is 6.

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D.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

I had my son on state insurance and to date (he is now 6) my now husband has not had to pay a thing. it is just a scare tacttic! I had a friend last year have state insurance and she nor her baby's father had to pay anything back. no worries

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S.H.

answers from Indianapolis on

Congrats on the baby boy :)!!

It is hard to tell with so little info. I am not sure why your mom says this.
Do you live with your b/f? Are you on his insurance? If not, I don't think he can be held responsible for your hospital and delivery costs.
If you really want to know for sure you can contact your caseworker and ask her.
For pregnant women, the state insurance (I think you are talking about medicaid for pregnant women?) is very easy to qualify for if you are below poverty.

Good luck with everything!

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D.F.

answers from Chicago on

I just get medical from the state. They made my husband pay for our daughter's birth after we got married. We now have one other child that they did not charge us for. They will want to look at his income. All they really can do is take the medical away. If your boyfriend is not making alot of money then you have nothing to worry about. They help low income families. Both my husband & I work & we just don't make enough to pay any hospital bills.You best bet is to go to your caseworker & find out.

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H.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

You are getting a lot of mixed messages here. You need to talk to your caseworker or a representative from the state. Every situation is a little different. My co-worker just had a baby in September with his girlfriend, who lives in his home with her 4 yr old son. They were already on state-aid before they got together, so she thought the pregnancy would be all covered. They found out that since she knew who the father was and he had a job and insurance, that he was responsible for a portion of the medical bills. He did not get hit with the entire thing, and he was able to be put on a payment plan with the state, basically like child support, until the bills are paid up. I would not trust what anyone tells you, you need to find out for sure from someone with the state. Good luck.

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V.E.

answers from Indianapolis on

Not true...call the state and ask them your obligation. My sister did the same thing and she never paid a dime. As long as you are not married , his income does not even factor in. I am not sure of the rules if you live together? I am sure you can go on line and get some info.? Good luck... and dont freak, your baby is more important and you need to continue with prenatal care. Plus stress is not good for the kid!!!

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J.B.

answers from Chicago on

I have state insurance when i had my daughter. They pick up everything! and whos business for them to know. He could be out of the picture for all they know relax. If in doubt just ask your case worker. Just don't give all the info only give what they ask for and not any more maybe less. I know it sounds bad but you never know he could get up and walk out, so your insurance is to cover you and the baby and you are covered for quite awhile i was able to stay on for 3.5 years.

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C.S.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I had someone try to tell me the same thing someone told you and it scared me to death too. But none of it happened! Someone also told me that since my daughter's dad and I aren't married that when I went to recertify her at one year old they would take him to court for child support but so far that hasn't happened either!

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A.R.

answers from Chicago on

I was on state insurance while I was pregnant and gave birth, they also covered by daughters surgery. I did not have to pay anything. Also, I never heard of him paying for half the cost of birth. The state will cover it.

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