Pregnant with No Insurance Please Help

Updated on April 01, 2008
B.L. asks from Kansas City, MO
18 answers

I am pregnant (total surprise) I have no health insurance. I applied for medicaid online and got denied. I don't know what to do. Have tried other insurance companies but they will not take me because i am already pregnant. Any advice. I am freaking out.

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R.

answers from Columbia on

You should be able to qualify for temporary Medicaid for pregnant women. It was developed for this particular reason, and to cover wellness care for mother and baby, so that there aren't complications later.

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C.V.

answers from Kansas City on

Truman Medical Center.They charge you according to your income.There's one in Lakewood and one down town Kansas City.

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C.D.

answers from Columbia on

My second dughter was a surprise for us, my husband just started a new job insurance didn't kick in for 90 days. I went to the local health department to see what I could do. They told me that they have doctors coming there for check of the ladies that need them. Also since me so Social Services to sign up for MC+ thru the state. MC+ covered everything. It was Great.

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M.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Try advice and aid pregnancy center. It's in Shawnee at 75th and Nieman. They have great resources and they give a lot of help - including help with the baby things you will need. Also Saint Lukes had a no-insurance pay as go kind of plan. This was a few years ago, but I think they still have it. The advice and aid will know - www.adviceandaid.com
Good Luck!

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S.G.

answers from Kansas City on

Have you check with your local county health department? If they can't help you then I am sure they will know where you can get help.

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Y.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I don't know where you live but try Swope Parkway Health Center, Samuel Rodgers Health Center & Truman Medical Center...I believe they offer MC+ or a sliding scale fee. These are all in the Kansas City, Missouri area. Good luck & God Bless!

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A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Try contacting the WIC. Depending on what you do make, you might qualify assistance during and after your pregancy. They would be a great source in other state programs that you might qualify for.

Also try Swope Parkway medical center and KC Free Health Clinic. You might be able to do your pre-natal care are free or reduced costs there. As for the birth, I don't know whta they have.

Good luck.

And this is why we need universal health care!

A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Check with the State, they might have a program.

I didn't think insurance companies could deny you because you're pregnant... pregnancy is not a "pre-existing" condition. I thought it's against the law to deny you coverage soley because you're pregnant?? That's crazy!

My husband switched jobs mid-pregnancy (he carried our insurance), and I was able to get new insurance without any problem.

Do a Google search for "Maternity Insurance." I found several companies that offer coverage to women who are already pregnant. I'm not sure if they are legit, or how much they charge... but it might be something to check out.

You also might want to call the Missouri Department of Social Services, they might be able to provide you with more info, or at least point you in the right direction. ###-###-####

Hope this helps.

S.L.

answers from Kansas City on

You can go to Truman Medical Center and they won't turn you away no matter what. You can make monthly payments. It's not ideal. But as you already know it's too late for the ideal. Worrying about something you can't change isn't going to help you or your baby.

The best thing you can do now is take good care of yourself so that the likelihood of a healthy baby and normal vaginal birth will be increased. If so, then you won't be making payments for the next 10 years! A normal birth is going to cost less than a nice car and most people seem to manage a car payment.

Your bigger hurdles will come when you need to work, pay daycare etc. One year of daycare costs would pay for most normal deliveries in a hospital. So maybe you should put your efforts into securing a job that is on opposite hours of the daddy or opposite hours of a family member willing to do daycare for free the first year or so. Or, you can find another mother that works the opposite shift you do and trade daycare with them.

Congrats on the baby :) It really is a blessing.

Suzi

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C.P.

answers from Springfield on

Call the county health department. Go in and get a pregnancy test. Its free. You really need to go and apply for medicaid for preganat women in person. And you will have to have the proof of pregnancy. I went thru the same thing. But first I would call the health dept and get your test done so you have proof and then talk to them in there. They are very helpful!

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M.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I became unexpectedly pregnant with my first child and didn't have any insurance. I was also denied any government assistance. I had my prenatal care for about 6 months (until I got on my husband's insurance) at Swope Health Services in Kansas City. It's not cheap (the ultrasound at 20 weeks was like $350!) but at least you can get some care. Swope works with Truman Medical Center. I don't know what their delivery and payment policies are... I would definately go to see a social worker who may be able to help you figure out some better options.

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A.B.

answers from St. Louis on

B. -

You should be able to go into your county medicaid office and apply for temporary insurance. This is what I am currently on. They cover me up to 3 months after the baby is born. It can also cover the baby because we don't make very much at all. My 2 year old is covered and so will the new baby. You have to take in your last pay stub, and a note that you are pregnant. You can go into the health department and they will do one for $10. If you are married they will need his latest pay stub too plus your driver's license and social security card. Here is the number for the St. Louis Medicaid office and they can direct you to your local office 888.275.5908. Where do you live? If you live close to Florissant, let me know and I can tell you exactly where the office is located but I know they have several all over the city to go to to get set up. You should be able to do this while you are pregnant. Hope this helps, let me know if I can help with anything else.

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D.F.

answers from Kansas City on

I am in the same situation. I have gone through Rockhill Womens Clinic and will deliver at Saint Lukes East (Lees Summit) and they work with you on payments (Both dr office and hospital). You may check into this. Good Luck!

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M.O.

answers from Kansas City on

One place you could get pre-natal care is the health department. I am pretty sure that they use a sliding scale to determine payment.

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S.R.

answers from Columbia on

I don't know what region you're in & what your options are there, but homebirths are way cheaper than hospital births (& way safer too unless you've got unusual health problems or pregnancy complications). Or go unassisted & you don't have to pay anybody.
Here's my friend's informational website about unassisted homebirth: www.birthandmotherhood.com.

You might want to find a local doula - doulas are great advocates & good at helping research & connect you to resources you might need help finding. And some doulas are very affordable (sliding scales or an occasional pro bono for the right person) - it's definitely worth looking into.

Good luck!
S.

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H.V.

answers from Kansas City on

There is a place called the Sage Femme Birthing Center in Kansas City, Kansas. I did all my prenatal there $75 a visit plus labs which were very reasonable. To have a birth there it is $1900 up front or $2500. I really liked everyone there. It is not state of the art but it is wonderful care. They are licensed midwives.

Unfortunately, my birth had to be induced because I was not dialating after my water broke so I had to go to Providence Medical Center. They are letting me make payments. Total cost with no complications $11,000. She is totally worth it.

I was intending on having an all natural water birth at Sage Femme which would have been alot less expensive. Check into this place if you would be interested in a natural birthing process that is very inexpensive.

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L.W.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi B., I live in Raytown and we have a Mercy and Truth clinic. They see OB patients. I'm not sure how it works with payment, but I know it is VERY inexpensive. I also don't know how they determine which hospital you will deliver at, but if you give them call they can give you all the info. The ladies there are WONDERFUL! It is a very Christian environment, so they don't treat people without insurance with disrespect. I've been in that position and have been to places where they were disrespectful. They do not do that there. I have to say it was such a blessing to hear about this place. It just opened up this past year. I don't think it's the only one, but I'm not sure where the others are. The phone # for the Raytown office is ###-###-####. The web address is http://www.mercyandtruth.com/Local_Health_Care/local_heal.... I hope this helps!! I know it was really helpful for us to know about it.

Have a GREAT day and good luck!
L..

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J.B.

answers from Kansas City on

U don't say why you got denied medicaid... if you feel you should have it and your household income meets the restrictions then you should appeal the decision. Honestly I don't know that you'll be able to find insurance that doesn't cost you as much as you'd probably pay for the hospital bill. If you know what hospital you'd like to go to for delivery call and talk with their financial department or their social services department someone may be able to help you (or advise) on getting medicaid or you might be able to apply for a 'self-pay' discount program. Otherwise, they can't refuse you when you go in to deliver (em tala laws); Swope Park Family Health Center has clinic available based on your income for your preg visits and they may be able to help you find the best place to deliver that works with o insurance... GOOD LUCK The first person said you an go to Truman... I just want to clarify for all who read this (I work at Truman) you can go to ANY hospital in the case of an emergency or pregnancy and not be turned away... It is illegal to turn away someone who is having a medical emergency on the basis of no insurance and it is an old fashioned misconception that the "state hospitals" are the only place you can go!

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