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Maternity Health Insurance

When a couple is expecting their first child, their thoughts primarily turn to the joys of parenting: dressing their new addition, playing peek-a-boo, and rocking their precious bundle to sleep. Too few grapple with the financial repercussions of actually being pregnant. The truth of this reality is magnified when statistics show that thirteen percent of pregnant women have no maternity health insurance. That’s approximately thirty-nine million women in the United States.

Inadequate or poor coverage is dangerous, but no insurance at all can lead from sub par pre-natal care to life threatening deliveries. Some individuals believe they have the financial resources to pay for quality care without insurance, but too few understand how much pregnancies actually cost. The average hospital charge for a normal delivery may cost up to ten thousand dollars. But normal deliveries are often contingent on good pre-natal care, which carries a hefty price tag as well. Even those who have certain types of health insurance sometimes discover that maternity is not covered or that it requires a steep premium. So what should couples do? When it comes to maternity health insurance couples need to plan ahead and shop around.

 

Maternity Health Insurance: Plan Ahead

Maternity coverage seems a lot like insuring an airplane; why purchase insurance for a plane you don’t own? Unlike insuring an airplane, where you purchase the plane and then find the proper coverage, maternity insurance should be acquired before conception. This is due to the unpredictable nature of insurance companies. Insures don’t want to take risks, and pregnancies are anything but consistent.

First, couples should never assume their current health insurance includes a maternity clause; they may find themselves paying for an expensive add-on. Always read the insurance information carefully and call customer service. Second, if a couple purchases insurance after the pregnancy test, some companies won’t pay benefits for at least nine months. Others consider pregnancy a pre-existing condition. Though this is technically illegal, it has a number of loop holes that allow insurance companies to take advantage of new mothers. Third, a couple should decide what kind of delivery they want to have before buying insurance. A delivery with a midwife at a birthing center or in the privacy of the couple’s home is statistically less expensive than traditional hospital deliveries. Some doctors will also do home births, which may be even more favorable for the. Delivering a baby at a birthing center costs half as much as a hospital. Home births cut the cost by half again.

Certain insurance companies won’t cover home births, but will cover the pre-natal care given by the same doctor. So even if the couple chooses to pay out of pocket the two thousand dollars for a home birth, they end up saving money by not having to pay the co-pays and co-insurance costs of a hospital. Lastly, a woman should plan to be covered with maternity care for the entirety of her child-bearing years. This prepares the individual for any accidental pregnancies and relives the stress of finding coverage last minute. In the end, planning ahead sets the couple up for success. They know what coverage they already have, they know what they need, and they have time to shop around before the pregnancy test gives them a plus sign.

 

Maternity Health Insurance: Shop Around

When a couple plans ahead they have plenty of time to shop around for the best coverage for their situation. Here are some examples of the options available: Depending on the economic status of the individuals, less expensive alternatives abound. Medicaid is a federally funded program for low-income families. WIC is a federal program that serves to guard the overall health of women and children. It isn’t insurance, but it helps to safeguard mommy’s and baby’s health.

For those who don’t qualify for federally funded assistance, there are still many options. MaternityCard is an example of a program that is less expensive than regular insurance but covers a wide variety of maternity medical needs. Maternity Advantage is a discount health care program than can save women sixty percent off of doctor’s visits, lab work, and a spectrum of other services. AmeriPlan is yet another discount program that can reduce maternity costs by fifty percent.

 

Maternity Health Insurance: Be Covered

Couples shouldn’t let one of the best experiences of their lives inject fear, financial instability, or danger into their lives. With proper planning and a little shopping, women can find maternity health insurance that will fit their every need. Start planning ahead today by entering your zip code at the top of this page to receive a free health insurance comparison quotes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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