Of the people who already have health insurance, about 15% don't have maternity coverage included on their insurance plan. If you add that to the number of women who don't have health coverage at all, that means that there are a lot of people out there without the means to afford the pre-natal care that they need for themselves and for their baby. The costs of healthcare for maternity services are quite high. Doctor's visits are frequent, diagnostic testing occurs regularly, and labor and delivery can add up to thousands of dollars in medical bills for those without insurance.
To start, check your existing health insurance coverage. See if you have maternity coverage included on your plan. If not, find out how much it will be to add coverage. Watch out for providers who don't give maternity coverage, because there are some insurance companies who label it as a 'pre-existing condition' because it is a guaranteed expense that they will have to pay. People who are living in a low-income situation will have access to state-funded care for their pregnancy. In some states, women are given healthcare services for maternity and pre-natal care regardless of their income. However, most are still forced to rely on private insurance.
Maternity coverage should begin the day that you sign the policy. Of course, you might want to shop for this coverage in advance, because some have a 30 day waiting period. There are even a few companies who want you to wait 3-12 months to utilize your maternity coverage once it is added to your policy. If you're thinking about having a family, you need to make sure that you check out the maternity coverage that you have or see what type of coverage you can get well before you actually conceive. That way, you can be prepared and get the medical care that you need without spending a fortune out of pocket.
Health insurance and maternity care don't always go hand-in-hand. Some companies have no issues with the coverage while others see it as a financial burden that they simply can't cover. In order to protect yourself and your new family, you have to make sure that you get the healthcare plan that includes maternity coverage at an affordable price and with all the benefits that you need. If you aren't sure about your options or what is covered, feel free to talk to a health insurance professional to get a better understanding of your situation.
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Sean L Johnson is a journalist for Health Insurance Buyer a referral service that refers consumers to the insurance carriers that can best fit their wants and needs. Get a free Health Insurance Quote today, you can save up to 50% on your monthly premium.
