Having a baby with no medical insurance?

Question

About a month and a half ago I got a new job as a temp-hire. It can take 3 months to 2 years to get hired on. Last week I found out that I'm pregnant; I have no medical benefits at all.

I really want to go to the doctor and get a check up just to make sure everything is all right, but I am afraid of the cost. I know if I go for an independent plan, I am uninsurable because of the pregnancy, so there is no chance of getting coverage.

Even though I am a licensed life and health insurance agent, I have no idea what to do. Where can I go get prenatal care without spending everything I have? Please help! :(

Answer 1

Well, on the one hand, until you're 12 weeks, most doctors don't want to see you - they can't DO anything, anyway, besides put you on prenatal vitamins.   OH, and the cheapest, complete prenatal vitamins are at Sam's Club.

Cheapest way to get full prenatal care and testing, assuming you make too much for Medicaid CHIPS program,  is with a midwife.  Yep, you can even birth with one in a hospital or birthing center.  Total cost varies geographically, but the midwife assisted birth plus all prenatal care will run you a total of around $2,000 to $2,500.  

You can also pre-pay negotiate a birth at a hospital, but just the birth part is going to run you around $2500.

Answer 2

apply for medicaid. you should qualify until your baby is born and then your baby can continue to recieve care. It shouldn't cost anything. good luck

Answer 3

I would like to suggest you get as much information as you could before taking action,here is a good place for that.http://health-insurance.onlinebestoffer....

Answer 4

if ur preg go down to the well fare office and they will give it to you because u are preg they cant deny you Medicaid because ur preg so go there and talk to them but you have to fill out some paper work it might take like 2 hours before they call you in there.

Answer 5

Medicaid is the only option.

Answer 6

I cannot believe you of all people (a health insurance agent) do not have health insurance! You have to sell these policies to people so I'm assuming you tell them things like: "You never know when you could be in an accident, develop a disease such as cancer, or become pregnant!"

Frankly, its not so easy to get on medicaid and it makes me sick that almost everyone on here says that's all you have to do. Why is it fair that the rest of us women pay out the wazoo for health insurance when others just wait til they get pregnant and run down and get on medicaid. I know some people don't have a choice, but medicaid is not the answer to a insurance agent's poor decision making.  You may make too much to get on medicaid. Then you will just have to be a private pay patient and negotiate a payment plan with your ob/gyn and the hospital and as another poster said, pray like h**l that you don't have to have a c-section or any other complications.

And if you just found out you are pregnant, you are probably only 5-6 weeks along. Most ob/gyns these days won't even schedule an appointment until you are 9-12 weeks along. Just get on pre-natal vitamins yourself, you can buy these over the counter. Oh yeah, and be saving up your money, too, and be calling around to ob/gyn's offices. Some dr's will be cheaper than others for private pay patients.

Answer 7

I agree with SOME of the others.  Try for medicare.  Also, Planned Parenthood may have some affordable prenatal care if you want to look into that.  

As for the comment on the "insurance fairy", that comment is dumb...you can certainly have a baby without insurance, God will bless you with someone who will take care of you!  HE is the "insurance fairy" so to speak.

Blessings,

:)

Answer 8

errr yikes....i would try something like planned parenthood or something through the county/state??

Answer 9

You can't have a baby without the insurance fairy.

Just wait for her to come to you.

Geez, that's like... kindergarden.

DUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHH

Answer 10

visit http://www.COMPAREusINSURANCE.com and click on the health insurance link and you can find CHEAP insurance

Answer 11

Most states allow more income for pregnant women, so you could try there first. However, if you are still over-qualified for medicaid, county health facilities have a fee schedule based on income-or most OB's have a cash discount as do most hospitals for delivery.  ... and then you pray hard for an uncomplicated birth and a healthy baby.

But what concerns me most is that you say you are a licensed life and health insurance agent and you don't know what to do when you end up pregnant and uninsured....hmmmmmm

Answer 12

Go to your Planned Parenthood/Free Clinic & ask where you can get on public assistance.

Sometimes they have it worked out where you can get seen there on an income scale that is affordable (sometimes it's FREE)  or they'll refer you to the proper office - same place will also set you up on WIC (free food) if your income allows it.  

I did this with my 2nd child - and my whole 9 months, labor & delivery cost me $24.86 (for eating at the hospital for 2 days!) and they gave me WIC certificates for some free food (milk, cheese etc) for me while I was pregnant and for my baby (formula & cereal & cheese) until my daughter was 5yo.