Avoiding paying COBRA for pregnancy/birth.?

Question

I currently have a plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield through my employer and am trying to weigh all of my options regarding insurance. If I were to leave a month before I am due, I would pay COBRA for two months, correct? I am confused how this works when you add a child to the plan. How is the birth covered? I also realize most plans require a child be 45-60 days old before you can add them to the plan I don't understand this much at all so can someone explain why? I don't want to add the child to my husbands Insurance (or myself) until after the expenses from the birth are covered because his deductable is ridiculous and mine is great. Any thoughts? I would love to get a BCBS plan as soon as I can.

Answer 1

You would pay Cobra for as long as you want to keep it, up to 18 months - IF your employer is required to offer it to you.

The birth is covered - your charges - under your active insurance, if you have maternity benefits.  The child's portion of the birth is covered, if you add the child.  You normally have 30 days to add a child, but you have to add the child effective their date of birth (and pay the premium for it) in order for those charges to be covered.