Unexpected Pregnancy
So, what are your options? You will either need to find a health insurance plan that is “guaranteed issue” or contact your State Department of Insurance to see if they have any state sponsored plans specifically designed for your situation. A guaranteed issue plan is one that will insure you, regardless of your current health status. The most common type of guaranteed issue health insurance is employer sponsored group health insurance. If you were to obtain employment with a company that offers employee health benefits, you may be eligible for maternity benefits under their group plan. However, there may also be an exclusion or waiting period on pre-existing conditions, such as pregnancy. If you currently have group health insurance available to you, through an employer or the employer of a spouse, you need to find out when the open enrollment period is so you can be added to the plan during that window. If this is an option, review the maternity benefits in advance to make sure they will provide you with the level of coverage you expect. 2 CommentsLeave a comment |
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I recently found out that I am pregnant and I need health insurance. I have contacted a few insurance companies and none of them will give me insurance. Why is this, and what can I do?
Health insurance, as with most types of insurance, is designed to provide a person with financial protection in the event of an “unexpected” illness or injury. There are health insurance policies that will provide maternity benefits, but only if conception occurs later than the effective date of your coverage. Some health plans have waiting periods of one year to be eligible for maternity coverage and other health plans offer no maternity coverage at all. If you choose not to purchase health insurance until you have a need for it, it is most likely too late. Compare this to auto insurance, which most people do not consider going without, primarily due to state regulations that require all licensed drivers to be insured. If you do not have auto insurance, and you are involved in an accident, would it be possible to purchase auto insurance “after-the-fact” and expect that insurance company to pay for your accident? Of course not. Well, health insurance is no different.
Hi, I am in almost the same situation! I really hope you can help me out here. Ok, the deal is this: I am pregnant, three months in and I am 24 years old. So, until now I have been covered with my mothers Aetna plan and that has really been great insurance, plus she works for the hospital and she knows a lot about health care. The problem is that I just found out that the insurance will end for me when I turn 25. I turn 25 come July 27′th and the baby will be due after that. So now I am not sure what to do? I don’t have any problems with buying my own insurance, but I worry about changing providers with what I have heard about preexisting conditions and how they will not take you on if you are pregnant. Can I extend this Aetna plan somehow? I mean, I didn’t get pregnant without insurance?
Comment by Karen — June 10, 2009 @ 12:01 pm
Look into the cobra law. You many be able to pay to keep the insurance you already have.
Comment by Debbie — June 18, 2009 @ 3:42 pm