OP here. Thanks for all of the advice so far!
How far along are you? I don't want to say "suck it up" but it might be financially better TO pay for a visit or two vs insurance if you don't qualify for the low cost or free coverage. Early on in a pregnancy there really isn't that much for medical care so the cost is usually pretty reasonable.
If you want to look into some temp coverage and don't get the state plan, most major insurance carriers will have gap plans but they generally only cover NEW things so it wouldn't cover your pregnancy but if you had to go to the urgent care for a sinus infection or something like that it would be covered.
The biggest issue you will find is if the state plan has a preexisting condition clause or has a clause for covering pregnancy-often there is an 18 month wait with some plans.
Have you already rejected your COBRA? When was your last day of coverage with your previous job? COBRA is set up to cover gaps like this and you really have almost 90 days before you have to PAY for COBRA so you could elect the coverage to have it in place IN CASE something major happens and if you don't need it cancel and not pay anything-it is designed to do this so it isn't illegal or cheating the system.
I haven't rejected or elected my cobra yet. My insurance ended 8/31 so I have 60 days from 9/1 to elect coverage. Part of my problem is I will be 18 weeks by the time my insurance kicks in Dec. 1. There is at least one ultrasound by then and I know for sure I will have to have a glucose test in there as well. That stuff can really add up! One thing in my favor at least is that if I do not qualify for any state help and I can't find anything else I "should" know about it before the end of my 60 days.
I work for social services in my state. The way I look at it is, if you qualify for the services then you are entitled to receive them. Medicaid and Food Stamps are entitlement programs. If you meet the criteria, then its yours. In our state an interview is not required for Medicaid. You just submit yout application with your proof of income and citizenship/alien status and you will hear from us within 45 days. Medicaid starts on the 1st of the month that you apply and you can request retroactive coverage if you incurred medical bills in the 3 months previous to your application. I understand that public assistance is a last resort to many people. It can kill you pride or make you feel your worst. I tell my clients to think about all the taxes you have paid in the past and consider this your refund. The services are there for the people that meet the criteria and request the assistance so USE IT!
Side note--- I got pregnant at 18 and I was not eligilble for Medicaid bc of my parents income, but my son was and he had it up until he was about 2.
Thank you! Sometimes I feel like assistance is a dirty word.
My first concerns would be finding an obstetrician that accepts Medicaid, many do not. Secondly, if you are not accepted into Medicaid, then you have gone without insurance and given up your COBRA and that may leave you without future coverage for the rest of the pregnancy or for the baby. I would research that. COBRA costs a lot but it may be the best alternative in the long run.
Thankfully I "should" know if I am approved for any state insurance before the end of my cobra election period. According to HIPPA pregnancy cannot be subject to a pre-existing condition exclusion even if the woman had no prior coverage.
I agree, re examine COBRA.
The problem with cobra is that it leaves little money to live on. It comes to half of my monthly pay with the other half going to bills it doesn't leave us anything for gas, food etc. I refuse to totally deplete our accounts if there is assistance we can qualify for.
This happened to us with our second child. I was just as concerned about seeing the doctor right away due to a previous miscarriage, and a complicated pregnancy.
How many days do you have left of your 90 days?
I would suggest you call you regualr GYN/OB. They might be able to work something out with you. That would be my first step. You might be suprised. Congrats on your pregnancy!
Dec. 1 starts my new health plan. I've had previous miscarriages so that is a concern to me as well. Part of our problem is that when we decided to stop trying we also decided to move. We've been here for 3 months, but I don't even have an ob/gyn here.
Dh switched jobs and DD has a medical condition so we did lots of research. If the waiting period is 90 days you may only have to pay one month of COBRA plus a few appts. This would be beneficial if the doctor you choose doesn't accept medicaid.
COBRA has to back date if you have an emergency but you can have a lapse in coverage and just pay OOP if nothing major comes up. (Talk to your OB about your situation and they should have a financial counselor you can talk to.)
I'm curious what you mean by we might only have to pay for one month? For us, as I understand it, we have to elect coverage from Sept. 1 (our insurance ended 8/31). The reality is I could wait until Oct. to go to the doctor, but I still have to pay for Sept and Oct.
Pregnant moms are covered in our state (TN) plan - you may have a premium based on your income - if you qualify - take it - that's what it's there for.
There was also a hospital-based clinic where we lived before (Jacksonville, Florida) - you paid based on a sliding scale, and it covered your pregnancy through delivery. Maybe there is something like that where you live.
That's actually the only reason I could potentially qualify, because I am pregnant. Otherwise, I make too much money. I am going to look into places that use a sliding scale. Thanks! I didn't think of that.
I was on pregnancy Medicaid with my son, and he was on it until her was 3. I became pregnant the first year of nursing school- 4 year program- and my husband was laid off.
I didn't have any negative experiences. Several OB-GYNs in my area accepted it, as well as several peds. I don't feel I ever had any negative outcome because of being on Medicaid. Once there was an issue with my son when he was 18 months that was an ordeal, but it was because of incompetence...not insurance.
Some of the blood tests that are ran in the beginning of pregnancy can be expensive. If it weren't for those, or any potential complications, OOP costs for a dr visit once a month wouldn't be too bad. However, you never know what will happen, so if you're eligible, might as well. The paperwork was also pretty easy.
That's my worry. I've had miscarriages before and I don't want to pay OOP for a d&c that is for sure! I also know I'd need at least an ultrasound and a glucose test before my insurance kicks in.
this is what it is for. if you qualify, use it.
