Maternity Insurance Options

If you are already carrying a child and want to purchase medical insurance, you might find that it won't be easy to find. Insurance companies know that they are will spend more than you pay in premiums if they insure you and are unlikely to offer you health insurance.

Your options are likely to be limited, but there might be some ways that you can lower your costs. In some situations, health care insurance companies are mandated to insure you.

You might qualify for group medical insurance. You may qualify for a government-sponsored policy through your city, county, your state or the federal government. You might be able to get the cost of your medical care lowered through negotiation.

You will probably be denied for an individual health insurance policy, if you applied while pregnant. However, if you already have a health care insurance policy, you will not be dropped from the health insurance policy because you are "with child" unless you applied too recently.

Many health individual policies will eliminate coverage for pregnancy. If you have one of these health insurance contracts and are "with child" keeping might still be worthwhile.

Why? Because most of these contracts will cover the complications of pregnancy. The complications of pregnancy could considered a sickness. Normal pregnancy is not.

You may want to look at other choices if your current contract doesn't cover normal pregnancy expenses. If you do, make sure that you keep your current policy until you have another policy in place. This can save you a lot of money.

Employer-sponsored medical insurance, if available to you, will probably be your best option. These types of policies usually have good benefits and will often have good doctors and hospitals.

Group medical insurance might be available to you through your employer. If your child is due is after the company's next open enrollment period, you could be able to get the bulk of your pregnancy costs covered by that policy. Getting group health care insurance is often the best alternative.

If your spouse or domestic partner qualifies for group health insurance, you could be able to get insurance through his or her contract. You will probably need to wait until the next open enrollment period to request insurance through the policy.

Open enrollment periods usually happen once per year, but there are special open enrollment periods also. You can typically be placed on your spouse's insurance if you apply right after you get married. A child can usually qualify to get on a parent's plan if he or she applies before he or she is 30 days old.

Group insurance is often available to the self-employed. In many areas, an individual can qualify for group insurance. You could be able to get health insurance this way as the primary insured or as a dependent.

There may be plans offered through your state, city or county. You might qualify for Medicaid. These government-sponsored plans should be investigated if coverage through private health care insurance isn't available to you.

You might want to ask your OB/GYN or your local planned parenthood to see what options are available in your area. Choices available in different parts of the country, towns and counties vary widely. If you are able to find coverage, you are likely to save a lot. Be sure to do your homework..

You may be able to lower your pregnancy expenses by prepaying your bill at the hospital. Soon-to-be-mothers often find that the hospital will give them a deep discount if they are able enter into a prepayment plan.

Shopping around for a less costly doctor can also be a good idea. Hospitals even those that are a short drive form each other can charge very differently. It pays to comparison shop.

Pregnancy shouldn't be a time where money is paramount in your mind. However, making an effort to reduce your expenses can make being a mother better because you can spend more time focusing on your baby.