5 weeks pregnant, laid off in october, no insurance

Question

Ok, so I am 5 weeks pregnant, and I am getting laid off in October. My husband wasnt able to get into the army due to a bad knee and that was our only way for medical coverage. I dont qualify for low cost but we cant afford high payments either? Does anyone know what or where we should look? Would it be pre-existing? We cant afford huge medical bills and I am really scared that I am going to miscarry again because I cant get proper care.

We are not below the poverty line which is required for Indiana medicaid. We cant afford for me to go with out work, as we cant really afford even groceries. I have had a hard time with miscarriages and would just have it at home, but I dont think I will be able too. We need prenatal care too, that is SOOO important.

Answer 1

NO ONE is going to write you private health insurance, while you're pregnant.  You're going to have to take the "Cobra" coverage from your employer, or pay out of pocket, if you don't qualify for Medicaid.

BUT, regarding that home birth - midwives do home births, AND all prenatal care and testing.  So having a home birth does NOT mean "going without".  It DOES mean you have a trained specialist, who KNOWS when you need to see a medical doctor, and when you can do it alone.  

And Planned Parenthood really specializes in killing babies, not bringing them safely into this world.  So you're right to avoid them.  But you might want to look into Birthing Centers in your area, also.

Answer 2

I don't have any good suggestions, but I wish you luck.

Answer 3

Is there a Starbucks where you live?  If you work there, you can become eligible for health insurance after only 2 months.  This document has more information: http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/SB-YSB-...

And, no, I don't have anything to do with Starbucks (I don't even drink coffee!), I just saw this on Oprah.  It's worth looking into.

Also, you mentioned that you can't afford groceries.  Have you looked into food stamps or WIC?

I also found this article that talks specifically about getting low-cost health insurance in Indiana, and it talks about options other than medicaid: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Get-Low...

One other thought:  Do you attend a church or other place of worship?  Places like this often can help you with problems like the ones you are dealing with.

Good luck!  I hope this helps!

Answer 4

1) You need to get yourself another job. The fact that your current employer let you know ahead of time that you were going to loose your job is a luxury many people don't get and you should take advantage of it. Apply everywhere you can. Most reputable big business employers offer healthcare- and the payments come straight out of your paycheck. Voila- healthcare for you, and your baby.. and maybe even your husband.

2) Your husband needs to find a job like NOW. Thats too bad that the Army didn't work out because the military is a fantastic means for stability, but its not an excuse for not having a job. He can do exactly the same thing as you- search for a job until you get one. YES the economy sucks right now so its hard to find jobs but they ARE out there- you just need to take the time to look and be consistent! Check up on applications you drop off- call these employers every other day until they offer you an interview.

3) Get yourself to a planned parenthood fast. If you have no money for "regular" healthcare- this is the place you need to go. And it isn't just for 15 year old kids trying to get condoms. Back in my day I saw 20 something year old full term pregnant moms in the waiting room who were there for prenatal care. They take care of you there, and if you have NO money- they will still care for you- you should go.

4) DO NOT have your baby at home! Sure it works out in many cases but what if something goes wrong? What if your blood pressure or the baby's raises- thing slike this can kill one or both of you. What if you begin bleeding uncontrollably after the baby is born? SO many things can happen and you should really have a doctor there who knows what to do.

There are SO many things you can do to make this work you just have to be willing to. I wish you SO much luck with this. Please go get yourself looked at ASAP... take care of that baby. Just make the right decisions and at least you'll know you've done everything you can to make this work. ALWAYS try your hardest.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

COBRA would be the way to go and it would be odd (but I guess not impossible) for it not to cover maternity.  But, if it doesn't cover it now it won't do more as a COBRA plan as it IS the same plan.

Being pregnant is the epitome of a pre-existing condition.