I understand. My husband is a teacher too (although he was just laid off from his job) and we have a 3.5 year old and one on the way. I have an in-home daycare so that I can be with our son. Even with our income (before being laid off) and a family of "4" we qualified for CHP+. You should too. If your children qualify for Medicaid...you should too! There is something out there for you. Things will work out! And stay proud of your husband's profession and your decision to stay at home with your children. It is only a shame that teacher's don't make more. I my opinion, a working teacher's family should not be making so little that they qualify for Medicaid or CHP....but they do. One day maybe it will change. Best of luck to you!
Have you tried Planned Parenthood? They may be able to help.
I don't have any specific companies or anything, but I've heard about programs that help you save money all during your pregnancy, and negotiate cash deals with your OB. There's usually a discount for paying with cash, because of all the crap insurance companies make the physicians go through. And because insurance usually only pays a percentage of the bill, doctors have to charge more so their costs are covered. So make sure the doctor knows you're paying cash.
Ask your husband's insurance broker or HR person or whoever is in charge of benefits if there's an HSA (Health Savings Account) option for you. We had one of those a while back. You put money in pre-tax, and can use it on anything health-related. Best of all, it's not a use-it-or-lose-it deal. The money is yours forever. My husband got laid off, and our insurance deductible shot up from $500 to $5,000! If we didn't have our HSA money we'd be sunk.
See if you qualify for WIC (or maybe you're already on it?) which will help you save money on food.
What a hard place to be in, I'm so sorry! But I agree with another comment that a really great thing you could do is look into a licensed midwife. If you are located in Utah, you can find full services (includes your prenatal care, midwifery services, birth at a birth suite, etc) for around $1400.
For some women that seems so scary to not have a birth at a hospital. I know. I used to think that way too! But as I have read, studied, attended classes, and been trained, I've come to known that we as women can really do this! And midwifes are amazing, so smart, and trained well.
If you are nervous about this, I understand. But as you are trying to find insurance, also look into this. You can read some great books - Ina May's guide to childbirth, Birthing from Within, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. It could change your life like it's changed mine!
I grew up in the same situation...my mom was stay at home, and my dad was a teacher...we had 7 kids :). It was great though. Just a thought, sometimes they do allow you to get on insurance if something like a pregnancy happens...or there is a change in status...did you ask your hubbies insruance about this? Also, sometimes the state has some insurance you could try. I don't really know too much about it though. Good luck!
Insurance can not consider a pregnancy a preexisting condition, and a lot of doctor's visits clump all the visits into one and bill visits labor delivery, and post partum care together, so as long as you didn't go early and could get your insurance through your husband in july it might work out. check with your ob on how they bill.
Congratulations! But how overwhelming to be thinking of finances and how to pay for the birth.
If you are in CO, homebirth or birth at Mountain Midwifery, a freestanding birth center in Englewood, will both be less than $4,000 total. You could read up on and talk with others who have used these options about the safety of both options if you have never considered this before.
My husband and I never, ever (and didn't!)would have considered either homebirth or birth center with our first, and had him in the hospital with a doula and midwife, but for our 2nd next May, we are using the birth center. Not only is it less expensive, but it really is safer for mom and baby. I have some amazingly well researched and written books to recommend if you need/want. I have several friends who have had phenomenal homebirths, too.
Good luck~!
Try Cynergy or Assurant. They do not cover much but cover some. Also, a lot of times your doctor will set up a monthly payment plan to help you pay for it. My last pregnancy, I barely had coverage and I just paid a small amount to the doc each month and by the delivery I was all paid up. I then set up payments with the hospital after.
Needless to say, any insurance you get will cover the baby as soon as it is born which is the most important part and there is a lot of flexibility out there for the pregnant part.
It is my understanding that if you cannot qualify for insurance otherwise, you qualify for medicaid while pregnant. I've had 3 of my 4 on medicaid, and the qualifying process is simple if you are expecting, but can take some time to complete (although they will cover you up to 3 months prior to your application date)
Hi Laressa,
Medicaid actually counts every member of your family when determining your eligibility.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidEligibility/Downloads/POV09Combo.pdf
This is a link to the 2009 Federal Poverty Guidelines where you can see, based on your family size, whether or not you qualify for Medicaid. Generally, you must be at or below the 133% amount in order to qualify (some states have higher limits). A family of 5 can make up to 2858.39 per month to qualify. Also, when you're pregnant, they ONLY count your income - not your resources.
If Medicaid is not the answer for your family, something else is out there that is going to help you. Start with Medicaid - turn in the application and see what they say. If they can't help, they may be able to steer you in the right direction.
I know it's easier said than done, but take a deep breath and try to relax. All this stress isn't good for you or your unborn baby! Good luck to you - I wish you all the best!
consider a birth with a midwife. either at a birth center or at home. The care you get from a midwife is far superior to any you will get with a Dr. She will be able to refer you to a Dr if necessary. The cost for birthing in a center is usually about $4000, while a homebirth can be only $2000. I have had my last two (of 3) at home. I happily pay out of pocket for my midwife and the care she provides. We even had medicaid, so the births would have been "free" if we had wanted to go to the hospital, but we chose to pay our midwife. (medicaid does not pay for homebirth in my state). Our cost even after insurance for a no complications birth (our first)at the hospital were much more. crazy.
Have you considered a homebirth? If you are low risk it is such an amazing way to birth. It is very affordable & not invasive. Also you can make payments. You get THE BEST of care. The midwives are there whenever you need them, all checkups are included. You are not rushed in & out of appts. They support you in any way needed. They are there at the birth, take care of you & wait until baby poops before they leave (VERY IMPORTANT). They come the next day. 3 days later, 1 week, 3 weeks & 6 weeks later. It is THE BEST thing we have EVER done!
Also get catastrophic insurance. It covers emergencies like a c-section. Just in case. And maybe see if you qualify for the Kansas Assistance Program, if that's what it's called. Take care & CONGRATS!!!
I feel your pain. I got pregnant and I was self insured. I did not have any maternity coverage b/c as the representative said, I did not ask for any!!! Since I had a job and made decent money, I couldn't get anything from anybody - period. And yes, the doctor's and their staff and all insurance people were rude as hell to me. It was amazing. Thankfully, when we got married, I was able to get on my husband's insurance since marriage is considered a "life changing event". The only other life changing event that I'm aware of is, divorce, adpotion, death, or gaining custody of a child (for the child to get insurance). I've heard some people say that the doc will give you a discounted price if you're paying cash. I didn't experience this but, you could ask. Good Luck.
Try going through Uiversity Hospital. I know that they can send you down to the finacial office and they can go on your income to determine how much your doctor appointments will cost you. Once they get you set up on this you will have a card that you just show the doctor everytime you go in and they only charge you that one amount. When they set you up on this they will set a certain amount you would have to pay for any emergency room visits or hospital stay.
Good luck and Congrats
Did you actually try to apply for Medicaid? Call your case worker or just go to the human resources office for your county and apply in person. I just did a few weeks ago (not prego, but my honey lost his job last month and we need coverage for the kids), and you might be surprised on the response. I know a family of 4 needs a gross income of $2000 or less a month to qualify. Especially since the kids are on it, you probably will get approved. Even if you can't get Medicaid, they can steer you to a company or a doctor that will work with you. The state will help pregnant women first for medical coverage over the average Joe trying to get coverage.
Cynergy covers pregancies and are not considered "pre-existing"...they are also reasonably priced and cover LOTS. I looked at them when my husband was entertaining the idea of changing companies in the middle of my last pregnancy!